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lydiacunitz's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
4.0
I found the life section the most compelling, the science section was dense but informative, and the advocacy section was inspirational. Ben Barres had so much influence not just over scientific discovery but the culture of academia as well. His autobiography is an important read for anyone interested in academia or neuroscience.
withlovejeans's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
i did really enjoy the narrative parts of this book, but the science chapter was so dry. i understand it wasn't necessarily written for the layperson, but it didn't add anything to my impression of the book. however, ben's perspective on mit and academia from the position of a woman and a man, and a transgender person, really made me reflect heavily on how mit has changed, and where mit continues to need change.
definitely further adds to my spiral about whether or not i will enjoy my time in academia.
definitely further adds to my spiral about whether or not i will enjoy my time in academia.
chivalryxsword's review against another edition
This book was very very good, I just wasn't in the emotional headspace to finish this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Transphobia, and Sexual harassment
samihoch's review against another edition
3.0
obsessed with ben and his decision to put a lot of science in this book that you need a neuroscience background to understand. itโs his memoir and he can do what he wants! and i support that for him tbh
howdyhoward's review against another edition
This was fine but also not totally my thing, not going to rate it. There is a lot of focus especially in the second half about the actual science Barres was conducting and I didn't find that part interesting. Barres doesn't transition until later in life, and the narrative of the autobiography essentially stops when he transitions. I would have liked to hear a bit more about his life after (though I suppose the science he conducted was what was important to him during this period). Following Barres through his academic career while presenting as a woman is a harsh reminder of the sexism baked into scientific institutions. Barres talks a lot about how hopeful he is that people know more about trans issues and that trans children today would have an easier time growing up, and, I mean, shit, he was wrong and that sucks so bad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility and Suicidal thoughts
hb_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't realize so much of this book would be hard science (and it mostly went over my head), but you can really feel the Barres' passion for his subject. I'm glad he was able to tell his story on his own terms - I would honestly love to read more written about him by others because I was able to get a real sense of his warmth and advocacy through the foreword by his colleague.
mirzapan's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book may not be perfect, but it came to me at a time when I needed it. As a nonbinary person in academia, and one who works on astrocytes funny enough, this book not only helped my academic work with helpful citations but gave me hope that mentors like Ben do exist in this minefield of a profession. If I am successful at becoming a professor, that is what I want to be.
shannonreadssometimes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
First of all it feels really weird to try and rate someone's autobiography?? especially one like this, wrote after a terminal diagnosis, from someone who did so much influential world changing work. let it be said that I admire Ben Barres to the highest degree!!
it was one of my resolutions to read more non fiction so, yay๐ ofc it was LGBT. but don't be fooled, I'd say maybe 20% of this was about Ben's transness, 30% about gender bias and women in science, and the rest a whole lot of very sciencey science. it truly is wild that I learned some of this stuff in school and yet never heard of the transgender scientist that discovered it! what that would have done for me in my youth.
ngl, I had to try very hard not to zone out during the sciencey stuff- although his discoveries are truly fascinating! I think during highschool I had it drilled into me that I was not mathematical enough to even enjoy anything like that, despite having an A in my psychology a-level and am studying nursing now ๐ but I really want to challenge myself and learn more, especially when it comes to lgbt history.
this had some really poignant points on women in stem, and just how much is stacked against them, even today. but honestly my favourite part was how he talked about his students. as a student nurse, I am assigned to a random nurse who 9 times out of 10 does not want a student. I am grateful for all that they do for me, but GOD do I wish they'd take a leaf out of Ben Barres book (literally!)!
this is a great read for anyone who's into anything sciencey, or anyone who wants to pull a trump card at their next transphobic family dinner and tell them about this truly extraordinary man. I lost count of how many years he spent in education but it was surely at least 20odd๐ญ๐