Welcome to the site dedicated to István Hargittai's new book on The Road to Stockholm: Nobel Prizes, Science, and Scientists (published by Oxford University Press, 2002). On these pages, you will find additional information about the book such as book reviews, photographs not featured in the printed volume, information about the author, and pointers to sites where you can purchase a copy of the book.

Please see the reviews page.

Please use the links on the left to navigate the site.

Brief Description

The Nobel Prize is by far the highest recognition a scientist may receive and the only one that the general public is familiar with. Its prestige has reached improbable heights. At the same time a lot of myth surrounds the Nobel Prize, which is compounded by the fact that people tend to view scientists with some bewilderment. This book introduces the process of selection of the laureates, discusses the ingredients for scientific discovery and for getting recognition for it. It reviews the decisive moments of a scientific career en route to the Nobel Prize, points to characteristic features of the laureates, the importance of mentors and venues in scientific careers and other components of success. It also covers some discoverers and discoveries for whom and for which the Nobel Prize never materialized. Whereas there is no general recipe for receiving the Nobel Prize, there are common features of successful scientific careers.

James D. Watson wrote the Foreword to the book.

Contents
1 The Nobel Prize and Sweden
2 The Nobel Prize and national politics
3 Who wins Nobel Prizes?
4 Discoveries
5 Overcoming adversity
6 What turned you to science?
7 Venue
8 Mentor
9 Changing and combining fields
10 Making an impact
11 Is there life after the Nobel Prize?
12 Who did not win

Epilogue
Acknowledgements
Notes
Further reading
Nobel laureates in the sciences, 1901-2001
Index