STORIES OF MEMORABLE MISTAKES (Laterza)

Piero Martin, professor of Experimental physics University of Padua, author of Storie di errori memorabili ("Stories of memorable mistakes", Laterza)

Gabriele Beccaria, scientific journalist, head of Tuttoscienze at La Stampa

Science is often regarded as the realm of certainty and truth. However, doubt and error are fundamental to the advancement of knowledge in every field. Just as in everyday life, error in science appears in many forms: there is the error that drives new discoveries, but also the error born of ideology or haste. There is the acknowledged error, which becomes fruitful, and the stubborn error that resists correction. In this book, we will explore fascinating stories from chemistry, biology, medicine, and especially physics, all from the perspective of those who have made mistakes. We will encounter renowned scientists like Fermi, Einstein, and Pauling, as well as nearly unknown scholars. Discovering that even the giants of science have erred will be a source of optimism. We live in a world that struggles with accepting error. Now, more than ever, it is important to reevaluate it: long live error!