Broken Genius: The Rise and Fall of William Shockley, Creator of the Electronic Age [Hardcover]

This is the first biography of William Shockley, founding father of Silicon Valley - one of the most significant and reviled scientists of the 20th century. Drawing upon unique access to the private Shockley archives, veteran technology historian and journalist Joel Shurkin gives an unflinching account of how such promise ended in such ignominy.Acknowledgements PART I Nevada England California Physics and M.I.T. Highly Explosive Character World War 2 PART II The Magic Month We Better Call Shockley There's Enough Glory in This for Everyone ....To Do My Climbing by Moonlight and Unroped Well-equipped Female with Brains Really Peculiar Ideas about How to Motivate People PART III Three Generations of Imbeciles is Enough What Law of Nature Have You Discovered? Someday We May Actually Be Very Alone The High Cost of Thinking the Unthinkable I love you Bibliography

'At last, the definitive, unstinting biography of this hugely important historical figure - complete with all his contradictions and idiosyncrasies.' - Michael Riordan, coauthor of Crystal Fire

'Shurkin deftly tackles this complex figure - and his unraveling - and delivers an unflinching portrait of a tragic life.' - Seed Magazine

'Shurkin does a good job of portraying a difficult man - a vivid portrait.'- NewScientist

'The other wonderful thing about this book is that it manages to convey the excitement of scientific inquiry and invention.' - New York Sun

'Shurkin is a good storyteller, and better still as a researcher of the personal facts.' - Nobel Laureate Professor Philip Anderson, Times Higher Educational Supplement

'FIVE STARS: this gripping biography gives a balanced picture of the most bizarre of the great names of electronics. Recommended.' - Brian Clegg, author of The God Effect and Light Years

'I recommend it to people curious about the history of technology and tlÓc