Drive and Curiosity What Fuels the Passion for Science

"Is there a recipe for research successes reaching the highest pinnacles? What are the common characteristics of discoveries that profoundly alter the world we live in? Drive and Curiosity presents fifteen case studies that explore these questions in a manner both inviting and at once accessible to readers having all different backgrounds."
--Richard N. Zare, Stanford University; Wolf Prize laureate; King Faisal International Prize laureate "Scientific discoveries that change the existing paradigm of their fields are few and far between. By examining the individuals and circumstances at the center of fifteen such breakthroughs, Istvan Hargittai has revealed in an elegant and personalized way the differing motivations and compulsions that drove the discoveries. His study reveals how curiosity, passion, persistence, resiliency, competitiveness, and the pride of accomplishment undoubtedly contributed to these monumental discoveries. Throughout each, the underlying driving force is what Horace Judson once referred to as 'the rage to know' and the 'acute discomfort of unknowing.' So long as science remains a difficult, exciting, and beautiful pursuit, confronting the limits of what is knowable will flourish." --Paul Berg, Nobel laureate, Stanford University "What a variety of ways people have found to be creative! Hargittai's most readable account of some of our scientific heroes and heroines focuses on their motivations, what drove them. Sorry, no secret to success, no philosopher's stone--just some smart, hardworking people trying to do their darndest to understand the world. I find this very encouraging."
--Roald Hoffmann, Nobel laureate, chemist, writer "I read this fascinating book in an evening, intrigued by the varied backgrounds and motivations of the fifteen scientists portrayed. 'Drive, ' yes, but for what? Sometimes for fame, but as often, it seems, to do good work, to merit the name, 'scientist.'" --Richard L. Garwin, IBM f