The Physicists

Daniel J. Kevles’s 'The Physicists' is widely regarded as the definitive introduction to the history of physics in the United States, tracing the discipline’s evolution from a marginal academic pursuit to a central force in national life.

The book examines how American physicists became influential through their contributions to both civilian technology (like transistors and chips) and military projects (such as radar and the atomic bomb), while also addressing the tensions between scientific elitism and democratic values.

Kevles links these scientific developments to broader social, cultural, and political changes, offering a nuanced portrait of how physics both shaped and was shaped by American society.

The narrative extends into the late 20th century, including the controversial rise and fall of projects like the Superconducting Super Collider.