From Eros to Gaia

I've long been an admirer of Freeman Dyson, even had lunch with him once a few years ago, and have read a few of his other books in the past. This relatively recent collection of essays includes things written all through his life, and provides a wonderful perspective on Dyson as a person, and his amazing view of the world. From a short story written as a child (the "Eros" part) to an account of an almost spiritual experience associated with a mugging in Washington DC, from Dyson's insights into bureaucratic mismanagement (the practical "plan A" vs. the prestigious "plan B" - guess what wins) to a collection of letters home about his good friend Dick Feynman, reading these pieces is illuminating and envigorating.

The mathmatician / physicist Freeman Dyson is a Professor Emeritus at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton university. His career has distinguished him as a top notch scientist who is brilliant, insightful, and perhaps most important, a kind and gentle fellow. From Eros To Gaia deals with many concerns facing scientists today. Eros is the Greek term for the highest love, and Gaia is the Greek name for the life-giving mother earth. Dyson's resolve is that we must respect both if we are to continue are sojourn on this planet as a species. I believe he is correct. Dyson explains how well-intentioned scientific projects get corrupted by politics so much that their outcomes and results are many times enervated by sundry extraneous issues and agendas. He also discusses how he thinks higher education could be improved via the institution of fresh approaches and schemes. As an added bonus, Feynman's legions of admirers will be delighted by the stories of he & Dyson's friendship.This work is filled with remarkable clarity of thought & truly conveys majesty of this remarkable man's perspective on the world. I have the cassette version of this title & on it Dyson narrates the book himself. He has a pleasant voice & I would recommend this medium for Dyson's fans out there.

This british-born oldman is really a great thinker,the feynman kind. Especially,his opinion about institutions, everybody with a completed brain must read it, we can see the light of the future of this planet.

Physicist and philosopher Freeman Dyson writes about science, scientists, politics, arms control, nature and humanity. Includes book reviews, biographical sketches, obituaries, book introductions, and more. Some of the pieces would be best enjoyed by physicists and scientists; most are very accessible. A few are incredibly profound. --Stefan Jones