Great books for technical people

Below is a short list of books that have changed the way I think about science. They aren't going to be assigned in any class, but if you are thinking about a career in science or technology you can't miss by taking time to read one of these gems.

• How to Solve It by G. Polya. A convincing refutation of the idea that you can't study problem-solving. ISBN 0-691-02356-5.

• An Introduction to Scientific Research by E. Bright Wilson. Though written in the age of vacuum tubes and slide rules, this remains one of the best guides ever written to conducting scientific research. (Now out in a Dover paperback; I don't have that ISBN.)

• The Character of Physical Law by Richard Feynman. The best non-technical explanation of the goals of physics I know of. ISBN 0-262-56003-8.

New suggestions are welcome. Email ewanders@mit.edu.

--- Last modified 7/5/95 --- Eric W. Anderson --- ewanders@mit.edu