akaroo's review
3.0
Not a bad read if you want short, condensed essays about famous women scientists and their crowning achievements. I found it very sad that a majority of these brilliant minds, even though they were awarded Nobel prizes, had difficulties finding jobs and earning the respect of their colleagues, simply because they were women; and, on top of being a woman, if they were Jewish the odds were even more stacked against them. Although it claims to be anti-feminist, I did find some feminist themes throughout, which presented a bit of a contradiction to me. That being said, it's enjoyable if you want to briefly learn about the likes of Madame Curie and Rosalind Franklin in short bursts at a time. Personally, I would much rather prefer reading full-fledged biographies about each, rather than short snippets of their lives and accomplishments. But that's just me. Other people who just want to learn about the successes and struggles of woman in science might find this a more than adequate brief introduction into their lives.
devind9bde's review against another edition
5.0
Two take aways:
1. All of these women were supported by at least some of their family, friends and colleagues in their scientific endeavors. Without this support they could not have achieved what they did. In fact those that lacked support in one of these crucial areas failed to win the prize.
2. These women could take criticism without giving up. They kept going on faith alone, on the belief that what they were doing was important. They believed in themselves. Many of them were clearly damaged by the rampant misogyny they were subjected to (who isn’t?) but they faced it as a fact of life and in this way rose to the challenge.
All in all, these short biographies are important for the myths they shatter about women and science.
1. All of these women were supported by at least some of their family, friends and colleagues in their scientific endeavors. Without this support they could not have achieved what they did. In fact those that lacked support in one of these crucial areas failed to win the prize.
2. These women could take criticism without giving up. They kept going on faith alone, on the belief that what they were doing was important. They believed in themselves. Many of them were clearly damaged by the rampant misogyny they were subjected to (who isn’t?) but they faced it as a fact of life and in this way rose to the challenge.
All in all, these short biographies are important for the myths they shatter about women and science.
mholla's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, the subject matter for this book is obviously excellent. I thought the writing was subpar, though - I found myself thinking about the writing as I read (and not in a good way), which is generally a bad sign. There were weird non sequiters and tense changes and moments where I got the impression the author liked an anecdote and just attached it to a paragraph so it would go somewhere. Also, seriously, what was up with that ice cream recipe at the end of Rita Levi-Montalcini's chapter???
But, I learned about a lot of really cool women and learned some of their scientific contributions. If anything, they were a bit much to keep straight.
Great book for a book club!!
But, I learned about a lot of really cool women and learned some of their scientific contributions. If anything, they were a bit much to keep straight.
Great book for a book club!!
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