What is genius? Define it. Now think of scientists who embody the concept of genius. Does the name John Bardeen spring to mind? Indeed, have you ever heard of him? Like so much in modern life, immediate name recognition often rests on a cult of personality. We know Einstein, for example, not just for his tremendous contributions to science, but also because he was a character, who loved to mug for the camera. And our continuing fascination with Richard Feynman is not exclusively based on his body of work; it is in large measure tied to his flamboyant nature and offbeat sense of humor. These men, and their outsize personalities, have come to erroneously symbolize the true nature of genius and creativity. We picture them born brilliant, instantly larger than life. But is that an accurate picture of genius? What of others who are equal in stature to these icons of science, but whom history has awarded only a nod because they did not readily engage the public? Could a person qualify as a bona fide genius if he was a regular Joe? The answer may rest in the story of John Bardeen. John Bardeen was the first person to have been awarded two Nobel Prizes in the same field. He shared one with William Shockley and Walter Brattain for the invention of the transistor. But it was the charismatic Shockley who garnered all the attention, primarily for his Hollywood ways and notorious views on race and intelligence. Bardeen's second Nobel Prize was awarded for the development of a theory of superconductivity, a feat that had eluded the best efforts of leading theorists—including Albert Einstein, Neils Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and Richard Feynman. Arguably, Bardeen's work changed the world in more ways than that of any other scientific genius of his time. Yet while every school child knows of Einstein, few people have heard of John Bardeen. Why is this the case? Perhaps because Bardeen differs radically from the popular stereotype of genius. He was a modest, mumbling Midwesterner, an ordinary person who worked hard and had a knack for physics and mathematics. He liked to picnic with his family, collaborate quietly with colleagues, or play a round of golf. None of that was newsworthy, so the media, and consequently the public, ignored him. John Bardeen simply fits a new profile of genius. Through an exploration of his science as well as his life, a fresh and thoroughly engaging portrait of genius and the nature of creativity emerges. This perspective will have readers looking anew at what it truly means to be a genius. "...a meticulously researched recreation of the life and scientific career of John Bardeen... fascinating and informative reading..." -- Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, March 2004 "...accounts with empathy and enthusiasm... a work of thorough scholarship..." -- American Scientist, March-April 2003 "...an inspiring and exciting read that can be recommended to layman and scientist alike. ...a model scientific biography." -- The Times Higher Education Supplement, March 7, 2003 "...full of alluring mystery, high-stakes competition, turbulent rivalry and inspiring teamwork. ... skillfully narrated..." -- Cityview, October 18-24, 2002 "...the authors' admiration and affection for their subject illuminates the biography." -- Nature, December 5, 2002 "...their account is enlivened by many anecdotes. ...a detailed and animated rendering of Bardeen's life and science." -- Science, March 21, 2003 "I strongly recommend this biography..." -- New Scientist, September 21, 2002 "It accomplishes what it set out to do -- explore the thinking of one man." -- Current Science, December 2003 "The authors share a number of golden nuggets as regards Bardeen..." -- History of Physics Newsletter, February 2003 "With this very readable biography, the authors lay out an excellent case for remembering John Bardeen as a True Genius." -- QST Magazine, November 2004 "John Bardeen was one of the most important and prolific physicists of the twentieth century, on par with the likes of Niels Bohr and Richard Feynman, but the general public hardly knows his name. In this eloquent and entertaining biography, Lillian Hoddeson captures the true essence of this quiet, gentle genius." -- Michael Riordan, author of The Hunting of the Quark and coauthor of Crystal Fire "If we agree that science literacy is key to the 21st century, then True Genius is one of the most important books of our times. Hoddeson and Daitch have created a masterpiece of biography, illuminating the creative work of a scientific genius, but also the human values, strengths and qualities that must guide, moderate and ultimately determine the fruitfulness of the extraordinary mind." -- Leon M. Lederman, Nobel Laureate, author of The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question? and co-author of From Quarks to the Cosmos: Tools of Discovery "A sensitive and inspiring portrait of one of t