This book is of interest to historians of science and to scientists as well as to the general reader. Historians will be interested in the author\´s \´revealing view\´ of the British pre war university system, the establishment of Theoretical Physics as a new discipline in Britain and his commitment to preserve science during the funding battles of the Thatcher years. Physicists will find a clear introduction to the research into one of the greatest puzzles in astrophysics namely the enormous energies created in our cosmos manifested by [ Auger\´s discovery ] of the \´Grandes Gerbes\´, the showers of particles currently incident on the earth now investigated by a major international cooperation. The book. is \´a great combination of autobiography and history of the sciences during a long and exciting period of History\´ (Stefan Sienell, Atistrian Academy of Sciences), \´A very, important source of reference\´ (Professor John Dainton, Liverpool University). \´The book has authority and relevance\´ (Jeff Hughes, Manchester University), \´Perceptive assessments of contemporary events\´ (Geoffrey Cantor, Professor of the History of Science, Leeds University).