The Nobel Prizes, awarded annually in Stockholm and Oslo, are internationally recognized as the world's most prestigious civil honours. But what about the man behind them? Alfred Nobel - unflagging inventor, entrepreneur and global industrial magnate - was also a linguist, philosopher and humanist. This Swedish chemist, whos vast wealth was founded on his discoveries in the field of explosives, developed a passionate interest in peace issues and must count as one of the world's truly great benefactors.

This publication presents the life of Alfred Nobel, not only tracing his scientific and entrepreneurial achievements from the earliest days but also focusing on the private individual behind them.