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Book Review

Atomic Warrior

Ludwig Boltzmann: Man, Physicist, Philospher 
by 
Engelbert Broda 
Ox Bow Press, 1983

Reviewed by
Shobhana Narasimhan

There are three things that students of physics usually know about Ludwig Boltzmann: that he has a ‘constant’ named after him, that he committed suicide, and that the formula 
‘S = k log W’ is inscribed on his gravestone.

I think this book will be enjoyed both by students and scientists. However, those looking for greater insight into Boltzmann’s personality and life-history, and a better understanding of his physics, might also like to read two more recent biographies, ‘Ludwig Boltzmann: The Man Who Trusted Atoms’ by Carlo Cercignani (Oxford University Press, 1998) and ‘Boltzmann’s Atom: The Great Debate That Launched a Revolution in Physics’ by David Lindley (Free Press, 2001). An article by Dieter Flamm about some of Boltzmann’s ‘modern’ ideas in physics is also available on the web at http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/physics/9710007. 

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Address for Correspondence
Shobhana Narasimhan, 
Theoretical Sciences Unit, 
Jawharlal Nehru Centre for 
Advanced Scientific Research, 
Jakkur, Bangalore 560 064.
Email: shobhana@jncasr.ac.in 

Indian Academy of Sciences
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