Garwin 2014
Distributed by The Video Project, PO Box 411376, San Francisco, CA 94141-1376; 800-475-2638
Produced by Richard Breyer and Anand Kamalakar
Directed by Richard Breyer and Anand Kamalakar
DVD , color, 67 min.
College
Physics, Science, History, Political Science, International Relations, Ethics, Sociology, Anthropology
Date Entered: 05/27/2015
Reviewed by Andrew Koval, MSLSBreyer and Kamalakar’s Garwin chronicles the life and work of physicist Dr. Richard Garwin, who has served as an advisor to every president since Eisenhower. Given primary focus are his career in government research and advising. Glimpses of his personal life and philosophy are explored and contribute additional elements of relatability to Garwin. The film spans his involvement with the hydrogen bomb, the JASON advisory group, the Vietnam War and further advising abroad.
Archival footage is presented to appropriately time line the film’s pacing. Breyer and Kamalakar’s biographical piece benefits those studying the natural sciences, history and some social sciences. Italy’s importance to physics is established as well. For background on Italy’s significance to physics and to garner a more complete understanding of some the themes explored in this piece, read Emilio Segre’s book Enrico Fermi Physicist (1970). This work is most appropriate for an academic library.