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Book Cover
E-book
Author Mason, Brett, 1962- author.

Title Wizards of Oz : how Oliphant and Florey helped win the war and shape the modern world / Brett Mason
Published Sydney, NSW : NewSouth Publishing, 2022

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Description 1 online resource : illustrations
Summary Two Australian scientists played a vital yet largely unknown role in the Allied victory in the Second World War. Almost eight decades later, Wizards of Oz finally tells their story. In this fast-paced and compelling book, Brett Mason reveals how childhood friends from Adelaide -- physicist Mark Oliphant and medical researcher Howard Florey -- initiated the most significant scientific and industrial projects of the Second World War: manufacturing penicillin, developing microwave radar and building the atomic bomb. These innovations gave the Allies the edge and ultimate victory over Germany and Japan. More than just a story of scientific discovery, Wizards of Oz is a remarkable tale of secret missions, international intrigue and triumph against all odds. Mason tells how Oliphant and Florey were also instrumental in convincing a reluctant United States to develop and deploy the three breakthrough inventions in time to change the course of the war. These two Australians not only helped win the war but shaped the peace, with their war-time contributions continuing to influence international politics and the health and wealth of nations. Oliphant and Florey emerge in Wizards of Oz as the two most consequential Australians of the Second World War -- perhaps of all time. 'Unputdownable!' -- General Sir Peter Cosgrove 'A wonderful slice of Australian history.' -- Peter Fitzsimons 'Great stories!' -- Professor Peter Doherty
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on September 30, 2022)
Subject Florey, Howard, Baron Florey, 1898-1968.
Oliphant, Mark, 1901-2000.
Florey, Howard, Baron Florey, 1898-1968
Oliphant, Mark, 1901-2000
Australian National University -- Biography
Australian National University
Scientists -- Australia -- Biography
World War, 1939-1945 -- Science.
Military.
History.
SCIENCE.
Science
Scientists
Australia
Genre/Form Electronic books
Science & Technology
History
Biographies
Biographies.
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781742238548
1742238548