Background
Lanouette, William John was born on September 14, 1940 in New Haven. Son of Joseph Francis and Gertrude Veronica (Thiede) Lanouette.
( Well-known names such as Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi,...)
Well-known names such as Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Edward Teller are usually those that surround the creation of the atom bomb. One name that is rarely mentioned is Leo Szilard, known in scientific circles as “father of the atom bomb.” The man who first developed the idea of harnessing energy from nuclear chain reactions, he is curiously buried with barely a trace in the history of this well-known and controversial topic. Born in Hungary and educated in Berlin, he escaped Hitler’s Germany in 1933 and that first year developed his concept of nuclear chain reactions. In order to prevent Nazi scientists from stealing his ideas, he kept his theories secret, until he and Albert Einstein pressed the US government to research atomic reactions and designed the first nuclear reactor. Though he started his career out lobbying for civilian control of atomic energy, he concluded it with founding, in 1962, the first political action committee for arms control, the Council for a Livable World. Besides his career in atomic energy, he also studied biology and sparked ideas that won others the Nobel Prize. The Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California, where Szilard spent his final days, was developed from his concepts to blend science and social issues.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1626360235/?tag=2022091-20
( Leo Szilard has long been overshadowed by such luminari...)
Leo Szilard has long been overshadowed by such luminaries as Einstein, Oppenheimer, and Enrico Fermi--with whom he codesigned the first nuclear reactor in 1942. A shy, witty eccentric, the Hungarian born Szilard lived both sides of the arms race, working first to prevent, then to hasten, and finally to outlaw nuclear weapons. "Lanouette's book is eminently readable. . . . An excellent book spiced with telling anecdotes about a strange man who influenced world history."--Max F. Perutz, New York Review of Books "Lanouette's exhaustively researched and artfully written account of one of the most underrated figures of the atomic age establishes Szilard as both a curmudgeon and a posthumously honored prophet."--Gregg Herken, Nature "William Lanouette . . . has written the most sensitive and lively biography. . . . The book gives an excellent picture of the man, and makes most interesting reading. I strongly recommend it."--Hans Bethe, Physics Today "A wonderful book about this endlessly fascinating man . . . one of the most entertaining stories in recent years. . . . A keeper."--Dick Teresi, New York Times Book Review
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0226468887/?tag=2022091-20
Lanouette, William John was born on September 14, 1940 in New Haven. Son of Joseph Francis and Gertrude Veronica (Thiede) Lanouette.
Student, United States Coast Guard Academy, 1959. AB, Fordham College, 1963. Master of Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, University London, 1966.
Doctor of Philosophy, London School of Economics and Political Science, University London, 1973.
Researcher, reporter, Newsweek, New York City, 1961-1964; news editor, Radio Station WVOX AM-FM, New Rochelle, New York, 1964; American lecturer, Hansard Society for Parliamentary Government, London, 1965-1967, 70-71; professional staff member, research and technical programs subcommittee Government Operations Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, 1967; legislation assistant to, United States Republican John S. Monagan, Washington, 1967-1968; staff writer, National Observer, Washington, 1969-1970, 72-77; staff correspondent, National Journal, Washington, 1977-1982; contributing editor, National Journal, Washington, 1982-1983; communications director, World Resources Institute, Washington, 1983-1985; senior associate, World Resources Institute, Washington, 1985; Washington correspondent, Bulletin Atomic Scientists, 1989-1990; senior evaluator energy and science issues, United States General Accounting Office, Washington, since 1991. President International Society Panetics, 1995-1998.
((A 1993 New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Ye...)
( Leo Szilard has long been overshadowed by such luminari...)
( Well-known names such as Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi,...)
Member of Potomac Boat (Washington).
Married JoAnne Marie Sheldon, April 12, 1969. Children: Nicole Marie, Kathryn Annual.