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J. D. Bernal, known as 'Sage', was an extraordinary man and multifaceted character. A scientist of dazzling intellectual ability and a leading figure in the development of X-ray crystallography, he was a polymath, a fervent Marxist, and much admired worldwide. Although he himself never won a Nobel Prize, several of his distinguished students went on to do so, including Dorothy Hodgkin, Max Perutz, and Aaron Klug. Andrew Brown has had unprecedented access to Bernal's papers and diaries, and this biography includes previously unpublished material on Bernal's role during the Second World War.
Bernal not only changed the course of science, but was witness to (and often a participant in) historical events (the Easter Rebellion, the Great Strike, the anti-fascist movement and pacifist causes, civil defence, RAF bombing strategy, the planning for D-Day, post-war rebuilding, and nuclear weapons). One of the few men familiar with Downing Street, the White House and the Kremlin, he left fascinating accounts of Churchill, Stalin, Mao Zedong, Louis Mountbatten and Picasso, as well as the century's greatest scientists.
Brown's compelling account covers all aspects of Bernal's brilliant, colourful, and Bohemian life, and introduces this towering figure of early 20th century science to a wide audience.
Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; 1. A Long Way to Go; 2. Cambridge Undergraduate; 3. Bohemian Crystallographer; 4. Science Fantasy; 5. The New Kingdom; 6. Soviet Pilgrims; 7. The Shadow of the Hawk's Wings; 8. The Entertainment of the Scientist; 9. Scientist at War; 10. Bombing Strategy; 11. Combined Operations; 12. Overlord; 13. Lessons of War; 14. Rebuilding; 15. Central Dogma; 16. Peace at Any Price?; 17. The Physical Basis of Life; 18. History and the Origins of Life; 19. Marxist Envoy; 20. Peacebroking; 21. Order and Disorder; 22. Years of Struggle; Postscript; Notes; Index
Apart from taking its place as the best existing account of Bernal's life and work, Brown's book provides an inspiring introduction to the academic culture of the 1920s and 1930s, a period which to those living through it seemed to overflow with hope, challenge, and passion. Richard Barnett, Lancet Bernal was himself a Colossus, and Andrew Brown has written a biography to match. It should stand as a classic. Walter Gratzer, Current Biology Andrew Brown does an outstanding job of weaving together the many strands of Bernal's complicated life to create a hugely entertaining and enjoyable biography. Robert Matthews, BBC Focus This complex and fascinating life is related with clarity and admirable organisation by Andrew Brown. Brown succeeds in not being overwhelmed by his subject. His book is strong on the science, but strikes a good balance between the scientific work and the many other strands of Bernal's career. He gives a real sense of the astonishing range of his subject's achievements. Jon Turney, THES Marvellous book. Brian Cathcart, New Statesman In this distinguished and definitive biography, Andrew Brown lays open the mystery of Sage. Brown writes with a historical flair rare in science writers. Brenda Maddox, Sunday Times To read this book is almost to relive the European intellectual life of the last century. Andrew Brown's account of Bernal's scientific work is written with extraordinary clarity... he takes us on a thrilling voyage. Sebastian Faulkes, The Spectator ...admirable book... Graham Farmelo, Sunday Telegraph This is a very fine (and large) book. Much more than a biography, because of Bernal's involvement in so many sociological issues of his day, it takes the form of a social history of the first half of the twentieth century. Kenneth C. Holmes, Nature
