At the time of the author's death this book was in the form of an unpublished manuscript. The title Our Modern Idol: Mathematical Science belies its content. Although the author was an eminent mathematical physicist the book is not mathematical in nature; there are no mathematical equations or derivations. The few mathematical expressions are simple and the book is clearly intended for the non-mathematical reader. It does not appear to have a definitive, coherent theme; rather it is a collection of eclectic essays connected historically or sociologically. In short, this book is about people, ancient and recent, as individuals and in society.Carl Eckart was an eminent mathematical physicist. He was a professor at the University of Chicago and later at the University of California at San Diego. His earliest well-known achievement was in quantum mechanics where he established unifying relationships between the matrix and wave mechanical formulations. After leaving his mark on quantum mechanics he turned to classical physics and developed some of the fundamentals of irreversible thermodynamics. Subsequently his interest shifted to the physics of oceanography, in particular to acoustics and hydrodynamics. He published a number of papers on these subjects as well as a book Hydrodynamics of Oceans and Atmospheres. During this period he also served as Director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He died in 1973 at the age of 71.