Skip to content

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite Paperback - 2007

by Ann Finkbeiner

In this spellbinding history, science writer Finkbeiner takes a provocative inside look at the elite scientists who have worked behind the scenes to influence American science and policy for half a century.


Summary

The Jasons are a well-guarded group of world-class scientists, briefly outed in the Pentagon Papers during the Vietnam War, who have been meeting every summer since 1960 to tackle classified problems that the Defense Department cannot solve. Among many stunning innovations, they helped invent our electronic battlefield and Star Wars missile defense technology, and are now looking into ways to improve our intelligence gathering. Recounting the unknown story of these brilliant, stubbornly independent thinkers, Ann Finkbeiner takes advantage of her unprecedented access to this elite group to explore the uncertain bargains between science and politics. It is a story older than Faust and as timely as tomorrow’s headlines.

From the publisher

Ann Finkbeiner is a freelance science writer who normally writes about cosmology and who runs the graduate program in science writing at Johns Hopkins University.

First line

The idea that curiosity leads to disaster has an ancient pedigree.

Details

  • Title The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite
  • Author Ann Finkbeiner
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 336
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York
  • Date March 27, 2007
  • Features Annotated, Bibliography, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780143038474 / 0143038478
  • Weight 0.6 lbs (0.27 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 in (19.56 x 12.70 x 2.29 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 1940's
    • Chronological Period: 20th Century
    • Chronological Period: 1950-1999
  • Library of Congress subjects Scientists - United States, Physicists - United States
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

Media reviews

Fascinating, disturbing. Science needs critics like Finkbeiner now more than ever. (The New York Times Book Review)

A true story that reads like a Tom Clancy novel. (Wired)

Citations

  • New York Times, 05/13/2007, Page 32

About the author

Ann Finkbeiner is a freelance science writer who normally writes about cosmology and who runs the graduate program in science writing at Johns Hopkins University.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite

by Finkbeiner, Ann

  • Used
  • Acceptable
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Edition
Reprint
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143038474 / 0143038478
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$7.30
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books. Reprint. Acceptable. Acceptable. Heavy wear. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
A$7.30
FREE shipping to USA
The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite

by Finkbeiner, Ann

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143038474 / 0143038478
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Interlochen, Michigan, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$9.17
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Item Price
A$9.17
FREE shipping to USA
Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Power Elite
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Power Elite

by Finkbeiner, Ann

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Paperback
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
1st.
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143038474 / 0143038478
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Cerrillos, New Mexico, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$13.01A$10.41
Save A$2.60!
A$7.58 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin, 2006. 1st. . Paperback. Very Good/N/A. VERY GOOD. Small nick at head of spine, several page corners turned. Size: 8vo
Item Price
A$13.01A$10.41
Save A$2.60 !
A$7.58 shipping to USA
The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite

by Ann Finkbeiner

  • Used
  • Very Good
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143038474 / 0143038478
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Champaign, Illinois, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$11.48
A$6.87 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, March 2007. Trade . Very Good. Very Good Softcover. Light shelfwear to covers. Textblock and inside covers yellowing. Pages clean and tight in binding. Pictures available upon request. A locally owned, independent book shop since 1984.
Item Price
A$11.48
A$6.87 shipping to USA
The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite

by Finkbeiner, Ann

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143038474 / 0143038478
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Lincoln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$15.48
A$24.77 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2006. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. In good all round condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,300grams, ISBN:9780143038474
Item Price
A$15.48
A$24.77 shipping to USA
The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite

by Ann Finkbeiner

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143038474 / 0143038478
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$13.18
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin (Non-Classics), 2007-03-27. Paperback. Good.
Item Price
A$13.18
FREE shipping to USA
The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite

by Finkbeiner, Ann

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143038474 / 0143038478
Quantity Available
750
Seller
Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$15.65
A$6.11 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2007-03-27. Paperback. Like New.
Item Price
A$15.65
A$6.11 shipping to USA
The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite

by Finkbeiner, Ann

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143038474 / 0143038478
Quantity Available
750
Seller
Fairfax Station, Virginia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$15.79
A$6.11 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2007-03-27. Paperback. New.
Item Price
A$15.79
A$6.11 shipping to USA
The Jasons
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Jasons

by Ann Finkbeiner

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143038474 / 0143038478
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Woodside, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$24.77
A$6.11 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books , pp. 336 . Papeback. New.
Item Price
A$24.77
A$6.11 shipping to USA
The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Jasons: The Secret History of Science's Postwar Elite

by Ann Finkbeiner

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used:Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143038474 / 0143038478
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 3 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
A$28.71
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 2007-03-27. Paperback. Used:Good.
Item Price
A$28.71
FREE shipping to USA