Buy used:
$35.88
FREE delivery May 16 - 17. Details
Or fastest delivery May 10 - 14. Details
Used: Good | Details
Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta
Condition: Used: Good
Comment: Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

R. Hanbury Brown
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Boffin: A Personal Story of the Early Days of Radar, Radio Astronomy and Quantum Optics

by R. Hanbury Brown (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
See all formats and editions
An account of the history of radar, which traces its evolution and vital military role, particularly with regard to Britain's aerial victories in World War II.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. ISBN-10
    0750301309
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0750301305
  3. Publisher
    Adam Hilger
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 1991
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    6.5 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
  7. Print length
    184 pages
  8. See all details
Next page
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... This is the story of a life in science, perceptively and engagingly told; it is well worthy of a place in every astronomer's library." -- The Observatory

"...He gives an enthralling account of 90 nights of mammoth effort in the autumn of 1950 that led to the discovery of the radio emission from the spiral nebula in Andromeda." -- New Scientist

"BOFFIN is the highly entertaining story of a man who has lived and breathed science, its excitement, interest and difficulty." -- Europe and Astronomy

"Boffin is a gripping, amusing and informative record of the life of a great 'middleman' capable of relating the world of science to the practicalities of the everyday world. But it is more. It is a commentary on the way society is (mis)managed and the way science is (mis)represented. The author demonstrates the rare gift of entertaining while he educates. You will enjoy it!" -- Physics Education

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Adam Hilger (September 1, 1991)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 184 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0750301309
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0750301305
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 0.75 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
R. Hanbury Brown

R. Hanbury Brown

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
15 global ratings

Top review from the United States

David N. Lombard
5.0 out of 5 stars What an amazing story!
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2023
This was and outstanding and personal look into the origins of radar in WWII Britain and radio astronomy in port-war Britain and Australia.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Mr David Pearson
5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
I found this to be a very interesting book.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Duncan McKenzie
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book.
Reviewed in Australia on December 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
It was with great pleasure and interest that I read this book. It is the story of the life of a scientific pioneer whose humanity shines through, especially in the final, touching chapter. Sadly this great man has passed away, but his legacy of scientific achievement remains.
Report
Timothy Kinross
4.0 out of 5 stars No one person invented radar but Henry Boots resonant cavity magnetron was a game changer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
Suffciety technical to be satsfying but so matheematical as to be mind numbing .Clear. diagrams and plenty of illustrations, lo
One person found this helpful
 Report
B. Chambers
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2017
Verified Purchase
A good alternative view of early radar work
3 people found this helpful
 Report