Garwin Biography Announcement

A number of physicists, who have worked for years in the intersection of physics and national security, are gathering support for a biography of Richard Garwin. He is, as most of you know, a major figure of the early atomic age, who is quite amazingly (given the number of intervening years) still very active in providing the government with technical advice and analysis related to defense and defense policy. Dr. Garwin has had an incredibly eclectic career, contributing advances in many areas of physics and applied mathematics, over the course of well over half a century. Many, but not all, of these contributions had important defense and intelligence applications. Beyond a mere list of diverse and major contributions, his career could alternatively and interestingly be interpreted as a paradigm and metaphor for the efforts of leading scientists — indeed of the scientific community — since World War II to influence government policy in their areas of expertise. For example, Dr. Garwin is famous for, among many other contributions, leading the design of the world’s first thermonuclear device, and later becoming a leading advocate for test ban treaties and stockpile reductions. A prospective author has been identified, and the project is proceeding.

We are investigating crowdfunding options to help launch this effort at an appropriate level. This approach might be ground-breaking, in terms of bringing to fruition a science-related book with potential broad appeal to diverse intellectual communities. Comments, advice, and support are welcome; please send them to Tony Fainberg, fainberg666@comcast.net or tfainber@ida.org.

These contributions have not been peer-refereed. They represent solely the view(s) of the author(s) and not necessarily the view of APS.