Product Description

This book presents a biography of Abdus Salam, the first Muslim to win a Nobel Prize for Science (Physics 1979), who was nevertheless excommunicated and branded as a heretic in his own country. His achievements are often overlooked, even besmirched. Realizing that the whole world had to be his stage, he pioneered the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, a vital focus of Third World science which remains as his monument. A staunch Muslim, he was ashamed of the decline of science in the heritage of Islam, and struggled doggedly to restore it to its former glory. Undermined by his excommunication, these valiant efforts were doomed.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #990042 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 304 pages

Review

"A balanced biography of Abdus Salam, touching on his humble upbringing, ambitions, achivements, fame, virtues, and weaknesses..A valuable addition to the collections of public and science libraries. Particularly in Islamic Communities, the book may stir up ambitions in youth to follow a career in science."--The Mathematical Association of America Reviews
"Gordon Fraser's enigmatically titled biography, Cosmic Anger: Abdus Salam - The First Muslim Nobel Scientist, is immensely engaging, and its numerous anecdotes will titillate physicists." -- Pervez Hoodbhoy, Physics Today


Gordon Fraser's enigmatically titled biography,Cosmic Anger: Abdus Salam - The First Muslim Nobel Scientist, is immensely engaging, and its numerous anecdotes will titillate physicists. Pervez Hoodbhoy, Physics Today I find the book to be a well written account of the achievements of a genius who was a citizen of the world, destined to play a memorable role in the global development of science and technology. CERN Courier An intriguing biography, a striking, frequently moving story [...], Cosmic Anger is an important work, not just in terms of its biographical revelations, but for the light it shines on the dark, irrational times we now inhabit. Robin McKie, The National, August 2008 Gordon Fraser...has produced a rich and varied biography...in this sensitive account. Salam's contributions on the international scene shine out. Simon Mitton, Times Higher Education Supplement More than a biography of a great scientist, this book provides a wider political and historical commentary. And while some of the details of Salam's physics may be incomprehensible to those without a background in the subject, the politics of the indian subcontinent, and the status of science in Islam, both past and present, makes this an important and enlightening read. Jim al-Khalili, NewScientist Fascinating and delightful. Although I knew Salam well, I learned much from this account. Salam's truly remarkable multi-faceted character is well mirrored here. The book is beautifully written, and handles many delicate political and personal issues with sensitivity and understanding. Very authoritative and insightful, giving a rounded picture of a very complex man. Tom Kibble, Imperial College London

About the Author

Physicist turned science writer, Gordon Fraser aims to convey difficult concepts without compromising the underlying science. After a first-class degree in physics and mathematics and while working towards his PhD in theoretical physics at London's Imperial College in the mid-1960s, he wrote short-story fiction as a hobby. By 1970, it was clear that he was not cut out for scientific research, and he spun together two very different strands of interest by becoming a reporter on a weekly UK newspaper for the computer industry. He later returned to science as an in-house editor at major laboratories. Working in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1980 - 2002 he was Editor of the CERN Courier, the monthly magazine of the international high energy physics community. He has been a visiting lecturer in Science Communication at several UK universities.

Customer Reviews

Wonderfully intriguing
Abdus Salam was one of the most important physicists of the latter half of the twentieth century and the story of his journey from a poor village in the Punjab to the Nobel Prize would be fascinating and remarkable in its own right. But Salam was also a devout Muslim and pursued his devotion to his religion and its culture, especially its scientific heritage, with an equal passion.

This delightfully crafted work explores both sides of Salam's life discussing not only his most obvious achievement in formulating the most successful theory of modern physics but also his tireless support of scientific education in the third world. Mr. Fraser discusses science, politics and history with equal effectiveness. I earned my Ph.D. under Salam but still learned a great deal more about him from this book - both about his private life and his relations with his scientific colleagues.

This book will have immense appeal to any intelligent reader. Heartily recommended.

Abdus Salam - An Uncommon Muslim Scientist
"Cosmic Anger" --- Abdus Salam-- The First Muslim Nobel Scientist" is is written by a physicist/ science writer-Gordon Fraser. This tightly and handsomely-bound 300-page book is a must read. The book is thoroughly researched and meticulously-detailed with ample references. The best picture of this great man from Jhang, Punjab is at the Nobel awards ceremony itself where he is resplendent in his traditional turban, sherwani, white shalwar with Multani khusas delivering his stirring speech about Science and Islam.

Coming from a modest Ahmadi family (a minority sect that has been ostracized and discriminated against in Pakistan), he was a brilliant young student who stood first in Punjab securing unbelievably high marks with his picture published in the local newspaper, he progressed fast on the academic ladder, graduating from Govt. College Lahore, went on to Oxford, England, became a mathemetician, worked in the famous Cavendish Physics laboratory, came back to Govt. College, Lahore, went back to England and started teaching at the Imperial College in London. He had a one year stint in the fabled Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ with Einstein in permanent residence there and J. Robert Openheimer at the helm. He started his Theoretical Physics Institute in Trieste, Italy for the 3rd world country scientists and became an ambassador-at-large of the non-western physicists. He became a polished speaker, teacher and enjoyed tremendous respect in academic circles. He was prolific in research and in churning out papers for publication.

His life story is stupendously fascinating. His achievements, somehow ignored and under-valued in his own country were many and varied. With his multi-faceted life is detailed with sensitivity and authoritatively. The book is also a primer of the life, times and theories of major players in Theoretical Physics in the 20th century. The book is a fascinating read and is recommended highly.

Remembering Abdus Salam
My husband, George Gwilt, read Cosmic Anger and these are his remarks.

I first met Abdus Salam over sixty years ago when we were both attending supervision by Fred Hoyle at Johns College in Cambridge. The book's description of Abdus brought back vivid memories including even his gentle high pitched voice as he told me how to look for a lost object. "If it is not in one place look in another."

The book covers many aspects of Abdus Salam's life including his personal life, his contribution to particle physics, his establishment of and involvement with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste and his role in politics.

Elected to the Royal Society as its youngest Fellow and also a Nobel Prize winner. Abdus Salam was an extraordinary person.

When I first knew Abdus, India was still united and he told me that there was going to be trouble. Trouble did indeed come as a result of the conflicts between the various religions including Hindu and Muslim, as Cosmic Anger explains. A large part of the book is taken up with religion. Abdus was a member of the small Ahmadi sect, which is a part of Islam. In September 1974 this sect was declared by Pakistan 'non-Muslim'. Because of this Pakistan, which had become his home country, did not accord him the recognition which was his due.

I think that, if this book were read, and really understood, by politicians not only of Pakistan, but worldwide the world would become a better place.

I found Cosmic Anger readable, enjoyable and instructive.