Edward Teller was arguably the most controversial scientist of the 20th century. He was brilliant and obsessive in his drive to keep the U.S. ahead of the Soviet Union in nuclear weapons during the Cold War. Unfortunately, he also had a dark side, and in the long run may have done more harm than good.
Peter Goodchild provides a very readable, in-depth perspective on Teller, beginning with his unhappy childhood in Hungary. As a prodigy with an overprotective family, young Teller had poor social skills. He was constantly taunted by his classmates and had few friends. As a result, he developed a strong need for acceptance that he carried throughout his life. When anyone opposed his ideas, he tended to overreact and become hurt and angry, as if it were an attack on him personally. He also tended to be jealous of others and reluctant to share credit for any...
