The Metamorphosis of a Geophysicist : An Autobiography

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Summary: A story of intellect over adversity
Review: John Herman takes the reader from the moment of his birth, through his mix of public and private schooling, military service, college days, family life, and scientific and business careers, finishing with a peek at his current life in retirement in Florida. John's early life was difficult. His father was killed when he was just four years old, and his mother had few skills to earn a living. As she bounced from job to job, place to place, man to man, John was often shuffled off to live with relatives or at private schools, until his mother failed to send money to pay for food and clothes, or to cover the tuition and board. As many young men have done, he joined the Navy, with the hopes of changing his fortune. His superiors recognized his exceptional intelligence, but were not pleased with his frequent fighting, nor his absences without leave. As unlikely at it might seem with today's liberal treatment of offenders, he was punished by confinement, with a daily ration of bread and water! He probably is the only member of the National Academy of Sciences that can claim that experience. Herman left the military service and used the G.I. Bill to help him make it through college, then found a civil service job, as a civilian employee of the Navy. Before long he moved to private industry, and later, even started his own company (more than once). His research focused on problems that mostly concerned government agencies, including the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA). He made significant contributions to such important scientific and military problems as global communications - particularly to the disruption of radio communications by nuclear detonations and solar storms. He co-authored the book 'Sun, Weather, and Climate,' which was first published by NASA, then reprinted by Dover Press, and was even translated into Russian and Chinese. Most readers will find the physics of Herman's research a bit over their heads, but he does a good job of explaining the applications, which were important to the nation. The quality of John Herman's scientific work was ultimately recognized by his election to the National Academy of Sciences. 'The Metamorphosis of a Geophysicist' is an entertaining and inspiring book. The conversational style of Herman's writing makes the reader comfortable, as one might be in talking with a life long friend, whether he is sharing his exhilaration in making a scientific discovery or the emotional devastation associated with the suicide of his son. While it is paperback, it is well bound, there are only a few typographical errors, and it contains a number of interesting photographs. I highly recommend it. Bill Carter, Co-author of 'Latitude,How American Astronomers Solved the Mystery of Variation'