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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.
1. A turban in Stockholm; 2. The tapestry of a sub-continent; 3. Messiahs, Mahdis and Ahmadis; 4. A mathematical childhood; 5. From mathematics to physics; 6. The men who knew infinities; 7. Not so splendid isolation; 8. 'Think of something better'; 9. The arrogant theory; 10. Uniting nations of science; 11. Trieste; 12. Electroweak; 13. Quark Liberation Front; 14. Demise; 15. Prejudice and pride; Bibliography
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
