Hans A. Bethe

America is a society that encompasses and reflects the accomplish- ments of science. As civilized people, we can argue that to understand America is to und erstand the scientific genius of the men and women who built the foundations of modern science and technology. However, science is not merely a co11ection of the results of scientific research or inte11ectual wizardry. It is also a social phenomenon with real human beings with a11 their foibles. As George Sarton said, "The best way to explain American achievements is to focus the reader's attention upon a few of the leading scientists." That I have tried to do. While there are other valid approaches to the history of science, certainly the biographi- cal approach brings to ligh t the fact that science is not a mere congerie of facts and theories. It is a very human activity with biases, personal rivalries, censorship, and even thievery, as the case of Rosalind Franklin shows.