Learning About Particles - 50 Privileged Years [Hardcover]

Vividly and in some depth retraces the golden years of particle physics as witnessed by one of the scientists who made seminal contributions to the understanding of what is now known as the Standard Model of particle physics.

It will provide the interested reader with a first-hand account and deeper understanding of the multilayered and sinous development that finally led to the present architecture of this theory.

Combines particle physics with insightful stories about fellow physicists of some note and the political turmoil of his times.

Embedded in an autobiographic framework, this book retraces vividly and in some depth the golden years of particle physics as witnessed by one of the scientists who made seminal contributions to the understanding of what is now known as the Standard Model of particle physics. Well beyond a survey of interest to historians of sciences and researchers in the field, this book is a must for all students and young researchers who have learned about the theoretical and experimental facts that make up the standard model through modern textbooks only. It will provide the interested reader with a first hand account and deeper understanding of the multilayered and sinuous development that finally led to the present architecture of this theory.

From the reviews:

[...] the book touches clearly upon the building blocks of the Standard Model and communicates 50 years of passion for physics and its intricacies - a lesson for young researchers. (Cern Courier, July/August 2005, 45, page 43)

Although Steinberger describes his experimentl3A