In "The Martians of Science," Istvan Hargittai paints an intimate and vivid portrait of five Hungarian geniuses whose intellects and friendships forged a path through the most tumultuous scientific and political landscapes of the twentieth century. Theodore von Kármán, Leo Szilard, Eugene Wigner, John von Neumann, and Edward Teller: these men, born at the dawn of a new age, would leave an indelible mark on the fields of physics, mathematics, and beyond, influencing everything from the development of the atomic bomb to the birth of computer science and the exploration of space. Hargittai, with his unique personal connections and extensive research, reveals the human stories behind the monumental achievements, illuminating the complex interplay of brilliance, collaboration, and ideology that drove these extraordinary individuals. This compelling narrative not only chronicles their scientific triumphs but also delves into the deep moral quandaries and political activism that defined their lives. From fleeing Nazi persecution to standing at the forefront of the Manhattan Project, and from pioneering the technologies that would define modern warfare and information age to grappling with the ethical implications of their work, "The Martians of Science" explores the legacy of five men who, in their quest to push the boundaries of knowledge, faced the darkest dilemmas of the modern era. Hargittai masterfully captures the essence of these pioneering spirits, whose lives were as complex and intertwined as the scientific problems they sought to unravel, making this book an essential read for anyone fascinated by the intersection of science, history, and human drama.