W.W. Norton and noted author and biographer James Atlas have announced plans to publish a series of books on landmark scientific accomplishments written by critically acclaimed writers.
Atlas Books, a company newly formed by Atlas and his longtime editorial collaborator, Jesse Cohen, and Norton will release at least 10 books on important scientific figures beginning in the fall of 2003. Among them will be David Foster Wallace writing on Georg Cantor and theories about infinity; Madison Smartt Bell writing on Lavoisier and the beginnings of chemistry; Rebecca Goldstein on Kurt Gödel's theory of incompleteness; and Richard Reeves on the discovery of the atom.
The Norton/Atlas book line is the latest venture in producing biographical titles of moderate length on important cultural figures to be initiated by Atlas and Cohen. The two also produce the Penguin Lives series in partnership with Lipper Publications for Viking Penguin. Cohen and Atlas also produce the notable annual anthology The Best American Science Writing.
Edwin Barber, senior editor at W.W. Norton, will oversee the project on the Norton side; Cohen will be the general editor of the series. Drake McFeely, president and chairman of Norton, pronounced the combination of author talent and subject "irresistible."
