This is the century that split the atom, probed the psyche, spliced genes, and cloned a sheep. Plastic, the silicon chip, and rock-and-roll were invented. Airplanes, rockets, satellites, televisions, computers, and atom bombs were built. Traditional ideas about logic, language, learning, mathematics, economics, and even space and time were overthrown and radically refashioned. This book presents the most influential leaders, artists, intellects, and heroes who shaped this monumental era, selected by the editors of Time magazine and their profiles crafted by some of the era's finest writers.--From publisher description.