Constructing Quarks
A Sociological History of Particle Physics
Widely regarded as a classic in its field, Constructing Quarks recounts the history of the post-war conceptual development of elementary-particle physics. Inviting a reappraisal of the status of scientific knowledge, Andrew Pickering suggests that scientists are not mere passive observers and reporters of nature. Rather they are social beings as well as active constructors of natural phenomena who engage in both experimental and theoretical practice. "A prodigious piece of scholarship that I can heartily recommend."—Michael Riordan, New Scientist "An admirable history. . . . Detailed and so accurate."—Hugh N. Pendleton, Physics Today
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I really enjoyed the book as a more detailed insight into particle physics history. if I understood Pickering correctly, this book is meant to be read also by people with no specific science/physics background. However, I think this is hardly possible IMO due to the long passages that require knowledge of physical concepts that were only introduced briefly. Coming from a particle physics background, this was ok, but I think he fails his promise to be suitable for a general audience and I therefore give 4 stars!
