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Force of Nature: The Life of Linus Pauling

“A thorough and thoroughly satisfying biography of a genius.” The New Yorker

“Magisterial …. finely textured …. [a] delicate balancing act of empathy and critical analysis.” The Times Literary Supplement

“The definitive biography.” The New Scientist

Books

Our Daily Bread

My current project: The world population will rise by one-third in the next few decades. How are we going to feed them? I’m starting a project with soil fertility expert Dr. Amit Roy that will examine not only how we can prevent mass famine, but how we can do it in ways that improve soil and food quality.

The Alchemy of Air

A sweeping history of tragic genius, cutting-edge science, and the discovery that changed billions of lives—including your own.

“A Faustian tale of pride, vanity and ambition…Haber and Bosch are fascinating if troubled personalities, brought by Hager compellingly to life.” — Washington Post Book World

“A superb narrative of these brilliant men and their scientific discovery. . . . Science writing of the first order.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“A page-turner. . . . make[s] the scientific process as suspenseful as a good whodunit.” – Portland Oregonian

The Demon under the Microscope

“This is a grand story, and Hager tells it well.”—Wall St. Journal

“A remarkable job. . . . highly entertaining.” —Publishers Weekly

“Fascinating….A rousing, valuable contribution to the history of medicine.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

Linus Pauling and the Chemistry of Life

“A captivating and inspiring story.” Kirkus Reviews

“The author has done an excellent job capturing the essence of this complex and controversial genius. . . I recommend it highly.” Science Books and Films

Linus Pauling: Scientist and Peacemaker

Co-edited with Clifford Mead, head of special collections at Oregon State University, this compilation of Pauling’s own words plus review articles by leading scholars presents a mosaic view of a fascinating life.
“A stunning tapestry of Pauling’s life and work.” Publishers Weekly

Force of Nature: The Life of Linus Pauling

A full-length biography of the only person to win two unshared Nobel Prizes.

“Riveting.” James Watson

“Magisterial” (London) Times Literary Supplement

“A thorough and thoroughly satisfying biography of a genius.” The New Yorker

Aging Well

How to achieve a long and healthy life, cowritten with my beautiful and talented wife, Lauren Kessler.
“A fountain of information.” Chicago Tribune

Magazine and journal articles

I have written more than 100 news pieces, reviews, and feature articles for magazines, journals, and newspapers. While much of my work has appeared in professional periodicals (The Journal of the American Medical Association, Medical Tribune, etc.) I have also published widely in popular outlets such as Readers Digest, The Wall St. Journal, Self, and American Health.

Public Presentations

I enjoy public speaking, and have given keynotes, lectures, readings, and lots and lots of media interviews. I like chatting with book clubs — if anybody wants to do it on Skype, go for it — and have taught book and magazine writing at the university level. Radio includes NPR’s “Weekend Edition,” “Science Friday,” “Diane Rehm Show” and “Tech Nation;” major addresses include presentations to the AAAS, American Chemical Society, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Goddard Space Center. Once I got flown to Tokyo to speak, which was, as my kids say, awesome.

Websites

I have also helped write and design a few websites about my favorite scientist:

Linus Pauling and the Race for DNA
Linus Pauling and the Nature of the Chemical Bond
National Library of Medicine’s Profiles in Science: Linus Pauling