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The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science
The acclaimed Pulitzer Prize finalist and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Galileo’s Daughter crafts a luminous chronicle of the life and work of the most famous woman in the history of science, and the untold story of the many young women trained in her laboratory who were launched into stellar scientific careers of their own
“Even now, nearly a century after her death, Marie Curie remains the only female scientist most people can name,” writes Dava Sobel at the opening of her shining portrait of the sole Nobel laureate decorated in two separate fields of science—Physics in 1903 with her husband Pierre and Chemistry by herself in 1911. And yet, Sobel makes clear, as brilliant and creative as she was in the laboratory, Marie Curie was equally passionate outside it. Grieving Pierre’s untimely death in 1906, she took his place as professor of physics at the Sorbonne; devotedly raised two brilliant daughters; drove a van she outfitted with x-ray equipment to the front lines of World War I; befriended Albert Einstein and other luminaries of twentieth-century physics; won support from two U.S. presidents; and inspired generations of young women the world over to pursue science as a way of life.
As Sobel did so memorably in her portrait of Galileo through the prism of his daughter, she approaches Marie Curie from a unique angle, narrating her remarkable life of discovery and fame alongside the women who became her legacy—from France’s Marguerite Perey, who discovered the element francium, and Norway’s Ellen Gleditsch, to Mme. Curie’s elder daughter, Irène, winner of the 1935 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. For decades the only woman in the room at international scientific gatherings that probed new theories about the interior of the atom, Marie Curie traveled far and wide, despite constant illness, to share the secrets of radioactivity, a term she coined. Her two triumphant tours of the United States won her admirers for her modesty even as she was mobbed at every stop; her daughters, in Ève’s later recollection, “discovered all at once what the retiring woman with whom they had always lived meant to the world.”
With the consummate skill that made bestsellers of Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter, and the appreciation for women in science at the heart of her most recent The Glass Universe, Dava Sobel has crafted a radiant biography and a masterpiece of storytelling, illuminating the life and enduring influence of one of the most consequential figures of our time.
“Even now, nearly a century after her death, Marie Curie remains the only female scientist most people can name,” writes Dava Sobel at the opening of her shining portrait of the sole Nobel laureate decorated in two separate fields of science—Physics in 1903 with her husband Pierre and Chemistry by herself in 1911. And yet, Sobel makes clear, as brilliant and creative as she was in the laboratory, Marie Curie was equally passionate outside it. Grieving Pierre’s untimely death in 1906, she took his place as professor of physics at the Sorbonne; devotedly raised two brilliant daughters; drove a van she outfitted with x-ray equipment to the front lines of World War I; befriended Albert Einstein and other luminaries of twentieth-century physics; won support from two U.S. presidents; and inspired generations of young women the world over to pursue science as a way of life.
As Sobel did so memorably in her portrait of Galileo through the prism of his daughter, she approaches Marie Curie from a unique angle, narrating her remarkable life of discovery and fame alongside the women who became her legacy—from France’s Marguerite Perey, who discovered the element francium, and Norway’s Ellen Gleditsch, to Mme. Curie’s elder daughter, Irène, winner of the 1935 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. For decades the only woman in the room at international scientific gatherings that probed new theories about the interior of the atom, Marie Curie traveled far and wide, despite constant illness, to share the secrets of radioactivity, a term she coined. Her two triumphant tours of the United States won her admirers for her modesty even as she was mobbed at every stop; her daughters, in Ève’s later recollection, “discovered all at once what the retiring woman with whom they had always lived meant to the world.”
With the consummate skill that made bestsellers of Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter, and the appreciation for women in science at the heart of her most recent The Glass Universe, Dava Sobel has crafted a radiant biography and a masterpiece of storytelling, illuminating the life and enduring influence of one of the most consequential figures of our time.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2024
About the author
Dava Sobel
39 books850 followersDava Sobel is an accomplished writer of popular expositions of scientific topics. A 1964 graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, Ms. Sobel attended Antioch College and the City College of New York before receiving her bachelor of arts degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1969. She holds honorary doctor of letters degrees from the University of Bath, in England, and Middlebury College, Vermont, both awarded in 2002.
In her four decades as a science journalist she has written for many magazines, including Audubon, Discover, Life and The New Yorker, served as a contributing editor to Harvard Magazine and Omni, and co-authored five books, including Is Anyone Out There? with astronomer Frank Drake. Her most well known work is Longitude.
The asteroid 30935 Davasobel is named for her.
In her four decades as a science journalist she has written for many magazines, including Audubon, Discover, Life and The New Yorker, served as a contributing editor to Harvard Magazine and Omni, and co-authored five books, including Is Anyone Out There? with astronomer Frank Drake. Her most well known work is Longitude.
The asteroid 30935 Davasobel is named for her.
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August 20, 2024yooo it's Maria SKŁODOWSKA Curie :|
September 10, 2024
Imagine naming your discovery polonium to honour your homeland just for people to blatantly ignore it after your death while making money off of your life story.
September 24, 2024
'I had been prepared to meet a woman of the world, enriched by her own efforts...Instead, I found a simple woman working in an inadequate laboratory and living in a simple apartment, on the meagre pay of a French professor'.
Marie Curie is a name that has long epitomised women's contribution to science. Dava Sobel takes us back to Marie's (born Marya and nicknamed Manya) childhood and education in Poland, before moving to the Sorbonne in Paris to further her studies. Enrolling in 1891 as 1 of 23 female students, among 2,000 men, to study science, little did she know that she had truly found home. Although her experimental work was always at the forefront of her life, she found love with her research partner Pierre and had two daughters. And, as focused as she was on her work, she still always found time to give back to the scientific community and other women in science in particular - including training female x-ray technicians with only basic schooling in WW1 to meet the skyrocketing demand of those wounded in action.
Sobel's, 'The Elements of Marie Curie' is, indeed, a multi-faceted perspective look at Curie's life, research and accolades. It is well-researched and, although bound by the science of Curie's discoveries, equally balanced by the biography of her personal life. As acclaimed as Marie Curie is, I still discovered so much more about this truly talented lady.
'...few persons contributed more to the general welfare of mankind and to the advancement of science than the modest, self-effacing woman whom the world knew as Mme. Curie'.
Marie Curie is a name that has long epitomised women's contribution to science. Dava Sobel takes us back to Marie's (born Marya and nicknamed Manya) childhood and education in Poland, before moving to the Sorbonne in Paris to further her studies. Enrolling in 1891 as 1 of 23 female students, among 2,000 men, to study science, little did she know that she had truly found home. Although her experimental work was always at the forefront of her life, she found love with her research partner Pierre and had two daughters. And, as focused as she was on her work, she still always found time to give back to the scientific community and other women in science in particular - including training female x-ray technicians with only basic schooling in WW1 to meet the skyrocketing demand of those wounded in action.
Sobel's, 'The Elements of Marie Curie' is, indeed, a multi-faceted perspective look at Curie's life, research and accolades. It is well-researched and, although bound by the science of Curie's discoveries, equally balanced by the biography of her personal life. As acclaimed as Marie Curie is, I still discovered so much more about this truly talented lady.
'...few persons contributed more to the general welfare of mankind and to the advancement of science than the modest, self-effacing woman whom the world knew as Mme. Curie'.
September 30, 2024
It’s Maria SKŁODOWSKA Curie
October 8, 2024
guys. Maria SKŁODOWSKA Curie.
An amazing woman from POLAND
woah
couldn't notice that one element called... Polonium? wonder what's that from !
An amazing woman from POLAND
woah
couldn't notice that one element called... Polonium? wonder what's that from !
June 2, 2024
Starting with her displacement from diminishing homeland of Poland to her travels to France and tracing all the revolutionary “firsts” she was able to accomplish, The Elements of Marie Curie is a wonderful history of one of the most incredible figures in scientific history. Still only one of the few female scientists most can came and a twice Noble laureate, what Curie achieved in her life was immense. From the first inklings of a curiously tuned mind to her discovery of an entire facet of chemistry yet to be discovered to her fatal diminishing by what she spent most of her time with - the history of Curie becomes both a history of passionate scientific zeal as well as just being that of radioactivity. Not only did she repeatedly stand out as the only dress among hoards of suits, but under her precise tutelage, many many more girls were able to step into science’s room, sit at the table barred for them till now, and create many more “firsts” in their own countries. Sobel, thus, does a wonderful job marrying Curies’ own particular history with all the lives they changed for the better. Through quoting letters, recorded conversations, biographies from her own daughters as well as photographic records, the author masterfully weaves a worthy tapestry of an extraordinary life.
With chapters entitled with names of the girls as well as the elements or isotopes discovered, I really enjoyed the way in which Sobel arranged this work. Even though we were acquainted with so many names by the halfway point - so many lives had Curie helped transform - that one would expect to get muddled, but Sobel successfully manages to keep them quite distinctive by assigning them particular characteristics that made them easier to identify. Even still, none of them really felt like caricatures and even with the very brief encounters with some of them, the author managed to show us the humanity and the sense of wonder that propelled these girls forward.
The only gripe I had with the work - and this is quite superficial - was the sheer amount of names of institutes that Sobel repeats quite frequently throughout. Don’t get me wrong, of course I understand that those institutions play as much a part in the history but I wish it wasn’t peppered throughout so much - especially since most of them are in French - that they hindered an otherwise smooth reading process. I would be totally immersed in a great narrative that I was eagerly following only to be bumped up and down by having to pause to digest the names of the institutes. There were some chapters where this was a bigger issue than others, but like I said, it was just a shallow gripe that hampered my overall enjoyment just a little bit.
To quote Eve Curie in her biography of her mother. “There are, in the life of Marie Curie, so many great moments that one is tempted to tell her story as a legend.”, and I agree. It seems impossible to not mythologize such a figure but Sobel again does a great job of combining her admiration with an acknowledgement of her profoundly simple humanity. Moreover, she returns again and again to Marie and Pierre’s wishes against celebration and adoration - in their eyes they were simply doing what they must. Despite being the first woman to enter so many esteemed rooms of science, Marie was never “seeking uniqueness”, Sobel says. She continuously admitted girls to her laboratory, making it a haven for women who were otherwise turned away from places like Harvard and Yale. Along with acquainting us with the women and their brief histories, I also loved how Sobel checked in on them from time to time, even if they left Curies’ lab or science entirely, looking into how they spend their lives after Curie.
To us now, it seems obvious that the highly disastrous and dangerous radium is not something to be intimate with as much as the Curies were. Fingers numbed and roughened, Marie surely realized the effects her beloved discovery was having on her but never went beyond a simple getaway to get some fresh air as the cure. Sobel describes thus the “cognitive dissonance” in which all radio-activists lived. Though they were actively learning about and experiencing the destructive, decaying effects of radio-active elements, the allure of discovery always kept them coming back.
All in all, this biography - brief but all encompassing - did a masterful job of portraying all that her life was both within and outside science’ realms. Pierre too is ever-present in the first half before his unfortunate demise, and is given all the credit due for his immense support for his wife and his repeated clarifications on the part she played when the committees and tables of men would have preferred to assign her only the assistant’s role. Thus her immense loss, though insurmountable, stoked the fire for her to assume both their roles and live the life of innovation and discovery they dreamed of. To Curie, whose only definition of scientific enquiry was to simply follow where one curiosities led and to figure out how Nature worked, science became the means through which she loved and lived. This was a wonderfully told narrative, if a little clunky at times, but that too can be forgiven for what Sobel was able to achieve. Highly recommend.
With chapters entitled with names of the girls as well as the elements or isotopes discovered, I really enjoyed the way in which Sobel arranged this work. Even though we were acquainted with so many names by the halfway point - so many lives had Curie helped transform - that one would expect to get muddled, but Sobel successfully manages to keep them quite distinctive by assigning them particular characteristics that made them easier to identify. Even still, none of them really felt like caricatures and even with the very brief encounters with some of them, the author managed to show us the humanity and the sense of wonder that propelled these girls forward.
The only gripe I had with the work - and this is quite superficial - was the sheer amount of names of institutes that Sobel repeats quite frequently throughout. Don’t get me wrong, of course I understand that those institutions play as much a part in the history but I wish it wasn’t peppered throughout so much - especially since most of them are in French - that they hindered an otherwise smooth reading process. I would be totally immersed in a great narrative that I was eagerly following only to be bumped up and down by having to pause to digest the names of the institutes. There were some chapters where this was a bigger issue than others, but like I said, it was just a shallow gripe that hampered my overall enjoyment just a little bit.
To quote Eve Curie in her biography of her mother. “There are, in the life of Marie Curie, so many great moments that one is tempted to tell her story as a legend.”, and I agree. It seems impossible to not mythologize such a figure but Sobel again does a great job of combining her admiration with an acknowledgement of her profoundly simple humanity. Moreover, she returns again and again to Marie and Pierre’s wishes against celebration and adoration - in their eyes they were simply doing what they must. Despite being the first woman to enter so many esteemed rooms of science, Marie was never “seeking uniqueness”, Sobel says. She continuously admitted girls to her laboratory, making it a haven for women who were otherwise turned away from places like Harvard and Yale. Along with acquainting us with the women and their brief histories, I also loved how Sobel checked in on them from time to time, even if they left Curies’ lab or science entirely, looking into how they spend their lives after Curie.
To us now, it seems obvious that the highly disastrous and dangerous radium is not something to be intimate with as much as the Curies were. Fingers numbed and roughened, Marie surely realized the effects her beloved discovery was having on her but never went beyond a simple getaway to get some fresh air as the cure. Sobel describes thus the “cognitive dissonance” in which all radio-activists lived. Though they were actively learning about and experiencing the destructive, decaying effects of radio-active elements, the allure of discovery always kept them coming back.
All in all, this biography - brief but all encompassing - did a masterful job of portraying all that her life was both within and outside science’ realms. Pierre too is ever-present in the first half before his unfortunate demise, and is given all the credit due for his immense support for his wife and his repeated clarifications on the part she played when the committees and tables of men would have preferred to assign her only the assistant’s role. Thus her immense loss, though insurmountable, stoked the fire for her to assume both their roles and live the life of innovation and discovery they dreamed of. To Curie, whose only definition of scientific enquiry was to simply follow where one curiosities led and to figure out how Nature worked, science became the means through which she loved and lived. This was a wonderfully told narrative, if a little clunky at times, but that too can be forgiven for what Sobel was able to achieve. Highly recommend.
November 16, 2024
No respect for her maiden name. Shouldn't be accepted.
November 18, 2024
*inhale* SKŁODOWSKA
October 16, 2024
Dava Sobel has written a wonderful little book about the preeminent female scientist, Marie Curie. This isn't a terribly detailed biography, but I feel it provided just the right amount of depth and breadth, of herself, her family, and those she personally influenced. At a time when women were rarely prestigiously decorated or distinguished, she discovered new elements, won Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry, founded research facilities, participated in international conferences that were mostly reserved for men, assisted in the field with X-ray equipment during WWI, and guided many women in her own lab who would go on to be esteemed scientists themselves. It's a quick read, and a captivating one. I would definitely recommend.
**I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.**
**I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.**
June 9, 2024
This is a well written and interesting book. Coupled with noting Marie Curie’s life and accomplishments, a good majority of the book focuses on her science and its explanations. It does a good job of explaining these science of these discoveries. It also mentions or showcases the many, many scientists who were a part of progressing the research of radioactivity, a term which she and her husband coined, at the time. It’s amazing what she accomplished and the Nobel prizes she won while being a mother, housekeeper, cook, teacher, and researcher. Thank you NetGalley and Atlantic Monthly Press for giving me the opportunity to read this galley.
November 19, 2024
The beginning and middle were so good but the last 20-30% felt very rushed and a bit abrupt
A good book, but inconsistent.
A good book, but inconsistent.
Read
October 25, 2024Maria Salomea Skłodowska-Curie
September 30, 2024
The Elements of Marie Curie is for anyone interested in the history of science, the trailblazing women of science, or curious about the process involved in making scientific discoveries. Marie Curie is a name that many of us know from school, but we rarely learn more than the fact that she discovered radium. In reality, she was a bigger scientific powerhouse than textbooks lead us to believe.
Dava Sobel has crafted a timeline of the life of one of the great minds of science. From her early days as a student to her later years of carrying the mantle of discovery and progress, Marie's life is a treatise on how women were viewed in science, and how much they contributed to the body of knowledge we rely upon today. The sheer number of female scientists that worked in her (and Pierre's) lab, and then later went on to continue their own research is astounding, and something that is not often reflected on. It was also fascinating to see the changes in the handling of radioactive materials that occurred even over Marie's own lifetime.
The story here is Marie's, but it is also framed by the people (the women) who came into her space in Paris and their own discoveries under her mentorship. We get a picture of the "boys club" of science, and what Marie had to go through to get her research presented. We also see into her home life, her love for Pierre and their two daughters (who become significant in their own right). We see her deep ties to Poland and her family, and the human person behind the celebrated historical figure.
I read this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Dava Sobel has crafted a timeline of the life of one of the great minds of science. From her early days as a student to her later years of carrying the mantle of discovery and progress, Marie's life is a treatise on how women were viewed in science, and how much they contributed to the body of knowledge we rely upon today. The sheer number of female scientists that worked in her (and Pierre's) lab, and then later went on to continue their own research is astounding, and something that is not often reflected on. It was also fascinating to see the changes in the handling of radioactive materials that occurred even over Marie's own lifetime.
The story here is Marie's, but it is also framed by the people (the women) who came into her space in Paris and their own discoveries under her mentorship. We get a picture of the "boys club" of science, and what Marie had to go through to get her research presented. We also see into her home life, her love for Pierre and their two daughters (who become significant in their own right). We see her deep ties to Poland and her family, and the human person behind the celebrated historical figure.
I read this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
October 12, 2024
In the pantheon of scientific greats, few names shine as brightly as Marie Curie's. Yet, for all her fame, the full scope of her brilliance and the depth of her impact have often been overlooked. Dava Sobel's "The Elements of Marie Curie" seeks to change that, offering readers a nuanced and captivating exploration of the woman behind the discoveries.
As I delved into this book, I found myself transported to a world of smoky Parisian laboratories, bustling lecture halls, and the intimate corners of a life dedicated to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. Sobel's prose crackles with the same energy that must have coursed through Curie's veins as she isolated radium for the first time. It's a story that's equal parts scientific adventure and human drama, and one that left me with a newfound appreciation for the complexities of Curie's life and work.
Unraveling the Threads: Structure and Style
Sobel structures her narrative around the chemical elements that defined Curie's career, from the iron of her early magnetism studies to the polonium and radium that would make her name. It's a clever conceit that allows the author to weave together the personal and professional aspects of Curie's life in a way that feels organic and illuminating.
The writing style is accessible without sacrificing depth. Sobel has a knack for explaining complex scientific concepts in layman's terms, making the book engaging for both science buffs and general readers. Her attention to detail is impressive – we learn not just about Curie's groundbreaking discoveries, but also about the day-to-day realities of her work, from the backbreaking labor of processing pitchblende to the delicate art of measuring radioactivity.
A Fresh Perspective: Curie's Scientific "Daughters"
One of the book's most compelling aspects is its focus on the women who followed in Curie's footsteps. Sobel introduces us to a cast of fascinating characters like Ellen Gleditsch, Marguerite Perey, and Irène Joliot-Curie, painting a vivid picture of the scientific community that grew up around Marie Curie. This approach adds depth to the narrative and highlights Curie's lasting impact on women in science.
Strengths: Illuminating the Human Behind the Icon
Sobel excels at humanizing her subject. We see Curie not just as a brilliant scientist, but as a devoted mother, a grieving widow, and a woman navigating the complexities of personal relationships in a male-dominated field. The author doesn't shy away from the more controversial aspects of Curie's life, such as her affair with Paul Langevin, treating these episodes with sensitivity and nuance.
Notable Highlights:
- The vivid descriptions of Curie's early days in Paris, struggling to make ends meet while pursuing her studies
- The touching portrayal of Marie and Pierre Curie's scientific partnership and marriage
- The harrowing account of Curie's wartime work with mobile X-ray units
- The exploration of Curie's relationships with her daughters, Irène and Ève
Areas for Improvement: Balancing Depth and Breadth
While Sobel's approach of focusing on Curie's scientific "daughters" is innovative, at times it can feel like it takes away from the central narrative. Some readers might find themselves wishing for more in-depth exploration of Curie's own life and work, particularly in her later years.
Additionally, while the scientific explanations are generally clear, there are moments where the technical details might overwhelm readers without a background in chemistry or physics. A few more diagrams or visual aids could have helped in these sections.
Critical Considerations:
- The pacing can be uneven in places, with some periods of Curie's life receiving more attention than others
- The sheer number of characters introduced can be overwhelming at times, making it difficult to keep track of everyone's roles and relationships
- Some readers might find the focus on the minutiae of laboratory work a bit tedious
The Verdict: A Luminous Addition to Scientific Biography
"The Elements of Marie Curie" is a captivating read that sheds new light on one of science's most iconic figures. Sobel's prose is engaging, her research thorough, and her approach innovative. While not without its flaws, the book offers a fresh perspective on Curie's life and legacy that will appeal to both science enthusiasts and general readers.
Final Thoughts: A Radiant Tribute to a Scientific Pioneer
As I closed the final pages of "The Elements of Marie Curie," I found myself with a newfound appreciation not just for Marie Curie, but for the generations of women scientists she inspired. Sobel's book is more than just a biography – it's a testament to the power of curiosity, perseverance, and mentorship in advancing human knowledge.
The author's decision to structure the narrative around chemical elements is particularly inspired. It serves as a constant reminder of the fundamental nature of Curie's work, grounding even the most personal anecdotes in the context of her scientific pursuits. This approach might not work for every reader, but I found it gave the book a unique rhythm and coherence.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is how it captures the sheer determination and grit required for scientific breakthroughs. The description of Marie and Pierre Curie processing tons of pitchblende in their ramshackle shed is particularly vivid. You can almost feel the ache in their muscles and smell the acrid chemicals as they toiled day after day, driven by the tantalizing possibility of discovery.
Sobel doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of Curie's story either. The toll that radiation took on Curie's health, the scandal surrounding her relationship with Paul Langevin, the struggles she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field – all are addressed with honesty and empathy. It's a reminder that even the most brilliant minds are fundamentally human, subject to the same joys, sorrows, and complexities as the rest of us.
A Call to Action for Future Scientists
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of "The Elements of Marie Curie" is how it serves as a call to action for future generations of scientists, particularly women. By highlighting not just Curie's achievements, but also those of the women she mentored and inspired, Sobel creates a sense of continuity and possibility. It's a book that makes you want to roll up your sleeves and dive into your own experiments, whatever field they might be in.
In the end, "The Elements of Marie Curie" is more than just a biography. It's a celebration of scientific curiosity, a meditation on the nature of discovery, and a reminder of the human stories behind world-changing breakthroughs. While it may occasionally get bogged down in details or lose focus, these are minor quibbles in what is overall a luminous and inspiring work.
For anyone interested in the history of science, women's history, or simply a compelling human story, this book is well worth your time. Dava Sobel has once again proven herself a master of scientific storytelling, crafting a narrative that's as enlightening as it is entertaining. "The Elements of Marie Curie" may not be perfect, but like its subject, it glows with an inner light that's hard to resist.
As I delved into this book, I found myself transported to a world of smoky Parisian laboratories, bustling lecture halls, and the intimate corners of a life dedicated to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. Sobel's prose crackles with the same energy that must have coursed through Curie's veins as she isolated radium for the first time. It's a story that's equal parts scientific adventure and human drama, and one that left me with a newfound appreciation for the complexities of Curie's life and work.
Unraveling the Threads: Structure and Style
Sobel structures her narrative around the chemical elements that defined Curie's career, from the iron of her early magnetism studies to the polonium and radium that would make her name. It's a clever conceit that allows the author to weave together the personal and professional aspects of Curie's life in a way that feels organic and illuminating.
The writing style is accessible without sacrificing depth. Sobel has a knack for explaining complex scientific concepts in layman's terms, making the book engaging for both science buffs and general readers. Her attention to detail is impressive – we learn not just about Curie's groundbreaking discoveries, but also about the day-to-day realities of her work, from the backbreaking labor of processing pitchblende to the delicate art of measuring radioactivity.
A Fresh Perspective: Curie's Scientific "Daughters"
One of the book's most compelling aspects is its focus on the women who followed in Curie's footsteps. Sobel introduces us to a cast of fascinating characters like Ellen Gleditsch, Marguerite Perey, and Irène Joliot-Curie, painting a vivid picture of the scientific community that grew up around Marie Curie. This approach adds depth to the narrative and highlights Curie's lasting impact on women in science.
Strengths: Illuminating the Human Behind the Icon
Sobel excels at humanizing her subject. We see Curie not just as a brilliant scientist, but as a devoted mother, a grieving widow, and a woman navigating the complexities of personal relationships in a male-dominated field. The author doesn't shy away from the more controversial aspects of Curie's life, such as her affair with Paul Langevin, treating these episodes with sensitivity and nuance.
Notable Highlights:
- The vivid descriptions of Curie's early days in Paris, struggling to make ends meet while pursuing her studies
- The touching portrayal of Marie and Pierre Curie's scientific partnership and marriage
- The harrowing account of Curie's wartime work with mobile X-ray units
- The exploration of Curie's relationships with her daughters, Irène and Ève
Areas for Improvement: Balancing Depth and Breadth
While Sobel's approach of focusing on Curie's scientific "daughters" is innovative, at times it can feel like it takes away from the central narrative. Some readers might find themselves wishing for more in-depth exploration of Curie's own life and work, particularly in her later years.
Additionally, while the scientific explanations are generally clear, there are moments where the technical details might overwhelm readers without a background in chemistry or physics. A few more diagrams or visual aids could have helped in these sections.
Critical Considerations:
- The pacing can be uneven in places, with some periods of Curie's life receiving more attention than others
- The sheer number of characters introduced can be overwhelming at times, making it difficult to keep track of everyone's roles and relationships
- Some readers might find the focus on the minutiae of laboratory work a bit tedious
The Verdict: A Luminous Addition to Scientific Biography
"The Elements of Marie Curie" is a captivating read that sheds new light on one of science's most iconic figures. Sobel's prose is engaging, her research thorough, and her approach innovative. While not without its flaws, the book offers a fresh perspective on Curie's life and legacy that will appeal to both science enthusiasts and general readers.
Final Thoughts: A Radiant Tribute to a Scientific Pioneer
As I closed the final pages of "The Elements of Marie Curie," I found myself with a newfound appreciation not just for Marie Curie, but for the generations of women scientists she inspired. Sobel's book is more than just a biography – it's a testament to the power of curiosity, perseverance, and mentorship in advancing human knowledge.
The author's decision to structure the narrative around chemical elements is particularly inspired. It serves as a constant reminder of the fundamental nature of Curie's work, grounding even the most personal anecdotes in the context of her scientific pursuits. This approach might not work for every reader, but I found it gave the book a unique rhythm and coherence.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is how it captures the sheer determination and grit required for scientific breakthroughs. The description of Marie and Pierre Curie processing tons of pitchblende in their ramshackle shed is particularly vivid. You can almost feel the ache in their muscles and smell the acrid chemicals as they toiled day after day, driven by the tantalizing possibility of discovery.
Sobel doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of Curie's story either. The toll that radiation took on Curie's health, the scandal surrounding her relationship with Paul Langevin, the struggles she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field – all are addressed with honesty and empathy. It's a reminder that even the most brilliant minds are fundamentally human, subject to the same joys, sorrows, and complexities as the rest of us.
A Call to Action for Future Scientists
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of "The Elements of Marie Curie" is how it serves as a call to action for future generations of scientists, particularly women. By highlighting not just Curie's achievements, but also those of the women she mentored and inspired, Sobel creates a sense of continuity and possibility. It's a book that makes you want to roll up your sleeves and dive into your own experiments, whatever field they might be in.
In the end, "The Elements of Marie Curie" is more than just a biography. It's a celebration of scientific curiosity, a meditation on the nature of discovery, and a reminder of the human stories behind world-changing breakthroughs. While it may occasionally get bogged down in details or lose focus, these are minor quibbles in what is overall a luminous and inspiring work.
For anyone interested in the history of science, women's history, or simply a compelling human story, this book is well worth your time. Dava Sobel has once again proven herself a master of scientific storytelling, crafting a narrative that's as enlightening as it is entertaining. "The Elements of Marie Curie" may not be perfect, but like its subject, it glows with an inner light that's hard to resist.
November 18, 2024
Wow, I had no idea of the impact Marie Curie and her family had on science let alone women in science. There is quite a lot of chemistry and scientific terms in this book, however I could follow it and enjoy the “stories” of the people around it.
“There are, in the life of Marie Curie,” her book begins, “so many great moments that one is tempted to tell her story as a legend.”
Marie also made sure she and her daughters lived a full life. As she is quoted, “It was better to enjoy today today, she told her children, than to look back and savor it later, or to put off enjoyment till some distant tomorrow.”
“There are, in the life of Marie Curie,” her book begins, “so many great moments that one is tempted to tell her story as a legend.”
Marie also made sure she and her daughters lived a full life. As she is quoted, “It was better to enjoy today today, she told her children, than to look back and savor it later, or to put off enjoyment till some distant tomorrow.”
November 19, 2024
Packed with detailed descriptions of the discovery and subsequent growth of the field radioactivity, (if you could “ignore” what you do not “understand”), this book is about Marie Curie, her discoveries, and how she brought women into the field, including her own daughter Irene, and all the contributions she made to humanity.
November 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. If you paid attention at all in any science class growing up, you should have heard the name Marie Curie BUT you’ve never heard the name Marie Skłodowska Curie.
I recommend this for anyone who knows her name but wants to know the true woman behind the science
I recommend this for anyone who knows her name but wants to know the true woman behind the science
November 3, 2024
Brilliant tale of brilliant and courageous woman. Sobel, author of Galileo’s daughter, among other great books, is wonderful
October 30, 2024
4.5 stars
Marya Sklodowska Curie (b. 1867), known as Marie Curie, was a Polish-French physicist and chemist. Marie is probably best remembered for being the only woman to win two Nobel Prizes: in 1903, Marie and her husband Pierre Curie won the Nobel Prize in Physics, for their studies of radiation; and in 2011, Marie won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, for her discovery of the radioactive elements polonium and radium.
Marie Curie
Marie's scientific accomplishments at a time when it was very difficult for women to climb the ladder of success were truly remarkable. Equally impressive was Marie's determination to help other female researchers achieve their goals. In this book, award-winning science writer Dava Sobel provides an in-depth overview of Marie Curie's life and work, and highlights the women whose lives Marie touched.
Marya, the youngest of five children, was born into a scholarly family in Poland. Marya's father, Wladislaw, taught math and physics, and her mother, Bronislawa, was headmistress of an academy for girls. Marya loved to enjoy the outdoors and dance and party, but when her family was in financial need, young Marya gave private lessons in French, arithmetic, and geometry and worked as a governess......all while continuing her own studies in chemistry.
Wladislaw Sklodowski with his daughters Marya, Bronya, and Helena
Marya moved to Paris in 1891, and enrolled in the Faculté des Sciences, signing in as Marie Sklodowska. Marie went on to study the magnetic properties of steel, at which time she met a young physicist who was already well-grounded in the subject. The scientist was Pierre Curie, "a tall young man with auburn hair and large limpid eyes." It was kismet, because Marie and Pierre wed in 1895, then "rode off on bicycles to honeymoon among the fishing villages of Brittany."
Marie and Pierre Curie
Sobel did extensive research for this narrative, and she writes a good deal about the Curies' personal and professional lives, including their domestic arrangements; day to day activities; visits to and from family members; correspondence with friends and relatives; work trips; vacations; employment; research; illnesses; and more.
Marie and Pierre Curie
When Pierre became a professor at an industrial school, Marie was allowed to move her magnetized steel project into the facility, where she had the use of ovens, baths, batteries, galvanometers, and other apparatus. Sobel writes, "Soon Marie could document which samples - that is, which chemical recipe for steel - acquired the greatest magnetic strength." This was important because magnets were used in navigational compasses, telegraphs, streetcars, elevators, tools, and myriad other devices.
In 1897, the Curies' daughter Irène was born, and the parents celebrated with champagne.
Marie and Pierre Curie with their daughter Irène
Marie was soon back at work, and she published a paper about magnetized steel that earned her 1,500 francs. Later, British industrialist Rookes Compton wrote: "All instrument-makers are deeply indebted to Marie Curie for the excellent work she has published in regard to the saturation and persistence of magnetism in steel bars."
Marie decided to change direction for her doctoral research, and embarked on a study of 'uranic rays' (radiation), the energy exuded by uranium. Marie quantified the uranic rays by measuring the electrical conductivity they excited in the air around them. Pierre joined Marie in the radiation studies, and after EXTENSIVE research - which is well documented in the book - the Curies' claimed there were four 'radioelements' - uranium, thorium, polonium, and radium....though most scientists only recognized the first two. By now Marie was also teaching at the École normale supérieure de jeunes filles.
Marie and Pierre Curie collaborated on their studies of radioactivity
Like many early scientists who studied radiation, Marie and Pierre were unaware of the danger, and "often found that the palms of their hands flaked and peeled in response to handling radioactive products, and the tips of their fingers hardened painfully for weeks or months at a time." And these were only the external effects; extensive exposure to radiation also causes anemia, leukemia, and other serious ailments. On the upside, doctors soon hit on using radiation to treat skin diseases and cancerous tumors.
In 1902, Marie and Pierre were awarded the Nobel Prize for their radiation studies, alongside Henri Becquerel, who discovered radioactivity and X-rays. The Nobel Prize made the Curies famous, and the Sorbonne created a professorial chair in physics for Pierre, and provided a laboratory for Marie.
Nobel Prize
Marie Curie's first radioactivity laboratory was a barebones facility
In 1904, the Curies second daughter, Ève, was born, but tragedy followed soon afterward. In 1906, Pierre was hit by a wagon and killed. Marie was bereft, and dealt with her grief by crying, writing letters to Pierre, speaking to him, and keeping a grief journal.
Marie Curie with her daughters Irène and Ève
After Pierre's death, the Sorbonne selected Marie to assume her husband's duties, and she became a physics professor and laboratory director. Marie accepted an accomplished young woman scientist, Canadian-born Harriet Brooks, to study radioactivity at the Sorbonne lab. Harriet was the first of many women to work with Marie, and Sobel makes it a point to laud all the ladies, with mini-biographies and descriptions of their research.
Of course, many male scientists - such as Ernest Rutherford, Wilhelm Roentgen and others - also worked on radioactivity, and these men get their due credit as well.
In the late 19th century, Mendeleev's periodic table of the elements - which hangs in every science classroom - had blank spaces, and the Curies suspected that new substances would emerge to fill the vacant spots - two of them being radium and polonium (named for Marie's native country of Poland).
The Curies had been extracting 'mere wisps' of radium and polonium from pitchblende, but had too little to determine their atomic weight. Thus many scientists doubted they were real elements. Marie continued to extract the substances, and her consequent isolation of radium and polonium won her the 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Commemorative Stamp
It was around this time that a scandal erupted surrounding Marie's affair with physicist Paul Langevin, who was trapped in an unhappy marriage. The romance cast a blight on Marie's reputation, which slowly rebounded when the dalliance ended. Of course Paul received little blame. Speaking of male privilege, it should be pointed out that, despite Marie's many accomplishments, the Académie des Sciences - all of whose members were men - repeatedly refused to elect Marie to their ranks. No women allowed!
Paul Langevin
Besides being a brilliant scientist, Marie was an ardent patriot. When World War I broke out in 1914, Marie decided to make herself useful by tending the wounded. Marie knew that, "for the first time in the history of warfare, it would be possible to see inside an injured body with X-rays, to locate the lead bullets and fragments of bombs that lodged there." By now, X-ray machines were used at most hospitals, and mobile X-ray units could (presumably) travel to facilities that treated wounded soldiers.
Marie raised money to procure and equip such vehicles, called voiture radiologique (X-ray truck), and she traveled to field hospitals to X-ray wounded men, so surgeons could remove bullets and shrapnel, set broken limbs, etc.
Marie Curie in a voiture radiologique
Marie also arranged for the training of men and women to be X-ray operators, each class of twenty taking a six-week curriculum of anatomy, electricity, measurement of electric current and potential, electromagnetic induction, theory and function of X-ray tubes and valves, and methods of examination by radioscopy and radiography.
After the war, Marie was in demand to visit, lecture, and attend meetings all over the world. As a result, Marie's life became a whirlwind of research, writing, travel, and meeting people. In America, for instance, Marie met President Warren Harding, secretaries of the cabinet, justices of the Supreme Court, foreign diplomats, and high-ranking officers of the army and navy.
Marie Curie with President Warren Harding
Through it all Marie remained humble. American physicist Bertram Boltwood remarked, "I saw the Madame first at a luncheon given in her honor in New York....Then I saw her again at New Haven when she came for Commencement....[Alois] Kovarick and I had her for a couple of hours at the Sloane Laboratory....She was very modest and unassuming, and she seemed frightened at all the fuss the people made over her."
Marie Curie at a commencement ceremony
Meanwhile Marie's health, which was poor for years, continued to decline. Sobel writes, "By now it seemed likely that a few of Marie's bodily ills...were due at least in part to excessive radiation exposure." In 1934, Marie developed persistent fever and chills and was sent to Sancellemoz sanitarium for treatment. When Marie arrived at the hospital, her fever reached 104 degrees; her red and white blood-cell counts plummeted; and she died on July 4. Marie's doctor reported that "the disease was an aplastic pernicious anemia...the bone marrow did not react, probably because it had been injured by a long accumulation of radiation."
Marie was survived by her two daughters. Like their parents, Irène and Ève Curie achieved great success. Irène became a renowned scientist and Nobel Prize winner; and Ève achieved fame as a pianist, journalist, and writer. Both girls were close to their mother for their entire lives, and Sobel documents this with snippets from their letters, and descriptions of their journeys, holidays, activities, and more.
Marie Curie with her daughters Irène and Ève
Irène Joliot-Curie with her husband Frédéric Joliot-Curie
Ève Curie
At the end of the book, Sobel includes five addendums.
⦾ The Radioactivists - a list of the scientists who studied radioactivity, including date of birth; spouse; date of death; and cause of death.
⦾ Annotations - bits of extra information for each chapter.
⦾ Glossary - definitions of terms.
⦾ The Radioactive Decay Series - half-lives of radioactive elements.
⦾ Quotation Sources - the source of Sobel's quotes.
I liked the book, which is filled with information about physicists, chemists, atoms, molecules, radiation, radioactive decay, half-lives, and more. I think people interested in science would be the natural audience for this book.
Thanks to Netgalley, Dava Sobel, and Atlantic Monthly Press for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
October 1, 2024
I am grateful to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book, subtitled ‘How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science’ is by the author of the excellent ‘Longitude’ and several other historical books on scientific topics. As well as presenting the work by these scientists she also adds richness and colour to their lives and the impact on other including our own lives today. Their names are often well known today; even if their life stories are less well known. This is another fine book by Dava Sobel in this tradition.
In this new book, which I thoroughly enjoyed, we learn about Marie Curie, described by the author as “The only female scientist most people can name”. As someone who studied Science in higher education and worked in the area throughout my career, I was struck by how true this description is for most people.
This is a book about not only about Marie Curie, who won two Nobel prizes (in Physics, jointly with her husband Pierre for the discovery of Radium, then later on her own in Chemistry) but about a life of dedication, patriotism, family, relationships, women’s role is academia and education and so much more. She is depicted as a humble, hardworking, diligent woman who freely shared her ideas with others thus supported the work and careers of numerous colleagues, students and many others in the scientific world. It’s hard to imagine the corporate world of science and medicine today being so open and collaborative with their work.
The author covers the difficult early days of Marie in Poland, a country severely dominated at the time by Russia. Her love of education and family, nurtured growing up, remained throughout her life. Her life in Paris with Pierre Curie is described with warmth and sensitivity. Although her husband dies early in their marriage, only a few years after they share the Nobel Prize, his presence, both his scientific acumen and his calm personality is shown to remain with Marie throughout her life.
The author takes the reader on a journey of discovery. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Periodic Table, a scientific organisation of naturally occurring elements which is still fundamental to science today, seems to have some gaps. Researchers are trying to understand these gaps and perhaps discover the missing elements. The author does an excellent job rendering these complex issues in a coherent manner, using simple albeit technical language. This allows the reader to enjoy the drama of scientific discoveries as well as the human stories of the people involved. Much of the book is about the work undertaken to better understand the Periodic Table. By Pierre and Marie, then later by Marie leading a team including many women scientists specially selected for their skills and abilities for highly technical work, which many later perform in countries, institutions and industries around the world.
Marie is shown to be a pioneer in multiple areas in addition to scientific research. Topics that are often related to the advancement of women in society including education and professional careers. Women in science and academia today owe much to Marie Curie and the progress she nurtured, championed and promoted.
The Chapters in the book are named after individuals, often young women, who worked with or were in some way important in Marie Curie’s life. Many of these women were perhaps under-appreciated at the time and therefore are less well known today than their male counterparts. This book goes some was to redressing this inequality.
Beyond the science, Marie Curie is shown to be a loving family member to her two daughters and also her extended families in both France and Poland. She is generous with her time and once financially stable, remembering her challenging early days, supportive other young scientists, particularly young women, with grants, jobs and opportunities. Her relationships with some of the famous scientists of the time is fascinating. Marie is depicted as a friend and a respected colleague of world-famous scientists such as Rutherford, Planck, Bohr, Compton and Fermi to name a few. Her relationship with Einstein goes clearly beyond the professional to one of warmth and friendship as they enjoy hikes together in the Swiss Alps. Another very private relationship is handled by the author with sensitivity and understanding.
Although accolades arrive throughout her life, there is a sadness as well as Marie never forgets her beloved husband Pierre. The author’s access to private letters is handled with sensitivity regarding private matters adding warmth and a quiet dignity to the life of Marie Curie. Her daughters, one of whom follows her mother into scientific research, are a constant source of pride and joy.
Although Polish by birth and upbringing, Marie is enamoured of her adopted country of France. Politicians, businessmen and the general public in France and around the world seem to reflect these feelings, admiring and embrace this remarkable woman. She is shown as a true patriot to Poland and France not only during times of conflict, but throughout her life as her research supports medical and industrial breakthroughs.
The book is true to its sub-title. Woman working in science and related areas owe a significant debt to Marie Curie, a pioneer in advancing their participation in a world once dominated by men. But even more so, the entire world has benefited from her research and discoveries, enabling advancements in both science and medicine.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, perhaps more than I was expecting. It is a book not only for anyone interested in science and research but a book about a remarkable individual who deserves to be better known beyond Radium and Nobel prizes. I wish the author and her publishers and the very best with this well researched and engaging book.
This book, subtitled ‘How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science’ is by the author of the excellent ‘Longitude’ and several other historical books on scientific topics. As well as presenting the work by these scientists she also adds richness and colour to their lives and the impact on other including our own lives today. Their names are often well known today; even if their life stories are less well known. This is another fine book by Dava Sobel in this tradition.
In this new book, which I thoroughly enjoyed, we learn about Marie Curie, described by the author as “The only female scientist most people can name”. As someone who studied Science in higher education and worked in the area throughout my career, I was struck by how true this description is for most people.
This is a book about not only about Marie Curie, who won two Nobel prizes (in Physics, jointly with her husband Pierre for the discovery of Radium, then later on her own in Chemistry) but about a life of dedication, patriotism, family, relationships, women’s role is academia and education and so much more. She is depicted as a humble, hardworking, diligent woman who freely shared her ideas with others thus supported the work and careers of numerous colleagues, students and many others in the scientific world. It’s hard to imagine the corporate world of science and medicine today being so open and collaborative with their work.
The author covers the difficult early days of Marie in Poland, a country severely dominated at the time by Russia. Her love of education and family, nurtured growing up, remained throughout her life. Her life in Paris with Pierre Curie is described with warmth and sensitivity. Although her husband dies early in their marriage, only a few years after they share the Nobel Prize, his presence, both his scientific acumen and his calm personality is shown to remain with Marie throughout her life.
The author takes the reader on a journey of discovery. Towards the end of the 19th century, the Periodic Table, a scientific organisation of naturally occurring elements which is still fundamental to science today, seems to have some gaps. Researchers are trying to understand these gaps and perhaps discover the missing elements. The author does an excellent job rendering these complex issues in a coherent manner, using simple albeit technical language. This allows the reader to enjoy the drama of scientific discoveries as well as the human stories of the people involved. Much of the book is about the work undertaken to better understand the Periodic Table. By Pierre and Marie, then later by Marie leading a team including many women scientists specially selected for their skills and abilities for highly technical work, which many later perform in countries, institutions and industries around the world.
Marie is shown to be a pioneer in multiple areas in addition to scientific research. Topics that are often related to the advancement of women in society including education and professional careers. Women in science and academia today owe much to Marie Curie and the progress she nurtured, championed and promoted.
The Chapters in the book are named after individuals, often young women, who worked with or were in some way important in Marie Curie’s life. Many of these women were perhaps under-appreciated at the time and therefore are less well known today than their male counterparts. This book goes some was to redressing this inequality.
Beyond the science, Marie Curie is shown to be a loving family member to her two daughters and also her extended families in both France and Poland. She is generous with her time and once financially stable, remembering her challenging early days, supportive other young scientists, particularly young women, with grants, jobs and opportunities. Her relationships with some of the famous scientists of the time is fascinating. Marie is depicted as a friend and a respected colleague of world-famous scientists such as Rutherford, Planck, Bohr, Compton and Fermi to name a few. Her relationship with Einstein goes clearly beyond the professional to one of warmth and friendship as they enjoy hikes together in the Swiss Alps. Another very private relationship is handled by the author with sensitivity and understanding.
Although accolades arrive throughout her life, there is a sadness as well as Marie never forgets her beloved husband Pierre. The author’s access to private letters is handled with sensitivity regarding private matters adding warmth and a quiet dignity to the life of Marie Curie. Her daughters, one of whom follows her mother into scientific research, are a constant source of pride and joy.
Although Polish by birth and upbringing, Marie is enamoured of her adopted country of France. Politicians, businessmen and the general public in France and around the world seem to reflect these feelings, admiring and embrace this remarkable woman. She is shown as a true patriot to Poland and France not only during times of conflict, but throughout her life as her research supports medical and industrial breakthroughs.
The book is true to its sub-title. Woman working in science and related areas owe a significant debt to Marie Curie, a pioneer in advancing their participation in a world once dominated by men. But even more so, the entire world has benefited from her research and discoveries, enabling advancements in both science and medicine.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, perhaps more than I was expecting. It is a book not only for anyone interested in science and research but a book about a remarkable individual who deserves to be better known beyond Radium and Nobel prizes. I wish the author and her publishers and the very best with this well researched and engaging book.
August 24, 2024
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Grove Atlantic for an advance copy about a scientist who found her calling early, changed our society, helped bring more women into science, and persisted no matter what society demanded from her.
Growing up I knew my parents had a weird relationship, because unlike most of my friends and family they seemed to like each other. This was weird to me. Most of my friends would complain about their parents, their parents would complain in front of us about their kids, and each other. My parents never did. My father always told me my mother was not just his wife, and he was lucky for that but his best friend. I am sure there were problems, but it never showed. They loved to work together, sort of like lab partners, seeking the secret to a good life. They were lucky to have found each other, as lucky as Pierre and Marie Curie were, though my parents glow was more of love than the glow of the Curie's from radiation. This support allowed Curie a freedom that was rare for her time, a freedom that allowed her to discover much about the world, and bring other women into the labs to share in her achievements. The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science by Dava Sobel looks at the life, work, and legacy of Marie Curie, who lit the way, both literally and figuratively, to the world we live in today.
Maria Salomea Skłodowska was born in Warsaw, Poland during a time that the country was under the dominion of Russia. Maria's parents had lost much of their wealth in a bad business deal, but made sure that their children were given the best of educations. Maria loved to learn, and was a gifted student, but of course at the time her options were limited, and her interest in science could only go so far. With her sister young Maria, moved to France, attending higher education classes, and changing her name to Marie. Marie met Pierre Curie, a young man of some intelligence, who was older, but kind of wandering. As partners both began to work in metals, where they began to find some interesting results. Soon they were married, working together by day, working on papers at night, and joined by a daughter. Their work in radiation gained them a Nobel Prize, one Pierre had to push to get Marie's name on. Just as everything was going well, with a new lab planned, Pierre was killed in a street crash, leaving Marie almost broken in spirit and hope. However there was a lab, and the work, and soon Curie was bringing in new assistants, many of them women who had difficulties in other countries finding assignments. And many more achievements awaited Curie.
My first encounter with Dava Sobel was an audiobook version of Longitude, a book I really got into for its mix of science and the people involved. Sobel has a unique gift in being able to write about science and make it understandable, and to write about people and make them not just understandable but human. Many of these people who have achieved so much, its had to remember they were human, and could be petty, mean, vulnerable, and strong equally. Sobel also sets the scenes well, describing the difficulty of being a woman, something that continues to this day. One woman being denied a teaching job for being married, because she would spend more time on her husband than the teaching of her students. I guess men don't care about their families, and more for students who pass by year after years. I enjoyed this book quite a lot, not just for the science, but for the story of Pierre and Marie. A really well-written and interesting book.
A book for those who love to read about science, strong women, the times that people lived in. Also readers who just enjoy very good nonfiction will have much to enjoy here. This is a good starting place for those new to Dava Sobel, or for fans like myself.
Growing up I knew my parents had a weird relationship, because unlike most of my friends and family they seemed to like each other. This was weird to me. Most of my friends would complain about their parents, their parents would complain in front of us about their kids, and each other. My parents never did. My father always told me my mother was not just his wife, and he was lucky for that but his best friend. I am sure there were problems, but it never showed. They loved to work together, sort of like lab partners, seeking the secret to a good life. They were lucky to have found each other, as lucky as Pierre and Marie Curie were, though my parents glow was more of love than the glow of the Curie's from radiation. This support allowed Curie a freedom that was rare for her time, a freedom that allowed her to discover much about the world, and bring other women into the labs to share in her achievements. The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science by Dava Sobel looks at the life, work, and legacy of Marie Curie, who lit the way, both literally and figuratively, to the world we live in today.
Maria Salomea Skłodowska was born in Warsaw, Poland during a time that the country was under the dominion of Russia. Maria's parents had lost much of their wealth in a bad business deal, but made sure that their children were given the best of educations. Maria loved to learn, and was a gifted student, but of course at the time her options were limited, and her interest in science could only go so far. With her sister young Maria, moved to France, attending higher education classes, and changing her name to Marie. Marie met Pierre Curie, a young man of some intelligence, who was older, but kind of wandering. As partners both began to work in metals, where they began to find some interesting results. Soon they were married, working together by day, working on papers at night, and joined by a daughter. Their work in radiation gained them a Nobel Prize, one Pierre had to push to get Marie's name on. Just as everything was going well, with a new lab planned, Pierre was killed in a street crash, leaving Marie almost broken in spirit and hope. However there was a lab, and the work, and soon Curie was bringing in new assistants, many of them women who had difficulties in other countries finding assignments. And many more achievements awaited Curie.
My first encounter with Dava Sobel was an audiobook version of Longitude, a book I really got into for its mix of science and the people involved. Sobel has a unique gift in being able to write about science and make it understandable, and to write about people and make them not just understandable but human. Many of these people who have achieved so much, its had to remember they were human, and could be petty, mean, vulnerable, and strong equally. Sobel also sets the scenes well, describing the difficulty of being a woman, something that continues to this day. One woman being denied a teaching job for being married, because she would spend more time on her husband than the teaching of her students. I guess men don't care about their families, and more for students who pass by year after years. I enjoyed this book quite a lot, not just for the science, but for the story of Pierre and Marie. A really well-written and interesting book.
A book for those who love to read about science, strong women, the times that people lived in. Also readers who just enjoy very good nonfiction will have much to enjoy here. This is a good starting place for those new to Dava Sobel, or for fans like myself.
September 19, 2024
A fabulous read, this new nonfiction by accomplished author Dava Sobel tells the compelling and heroic personal story of Madame Curie and her family and her part in the amazing scientific advances of her age—from the discovery of the parts of the atom to the revision of the Periodic Table of Elements, providing insights into human understanding of the fundamental composition of matter.
The suspenseful narrative takes Marie Curie on heroic and dangerous paths—from her beginnings in Russian-controlled Poland, where she had to learn in secret, as it was forbidden to women, to handling radioactive elements with no protections before the dangers were known. In Paris during the first World War, she rigged up a portable X-ray machine to show where bullets lay in soldiers’ bodies so they could be removed. She drove her machine near the front lines to save the lives of the French defenders.
After the death of her beloved husband and scientific partner Pierre Curie, Marie Curie takes her place alongside other well-known scientific geniuses of the time including Mendeleev, who revised the Periodic Table of Elements based on hers and others’ discoveries; Albert Einstein, who was a personal friend; and Neils Bohr, who responded to her challenge that they were thinking about the atom all wrong. The only person to win a Nobel prize in two different disciplines (physics and chemistry), Marie Curie more than holds her own despite ridiculous and sometimes funny prejudices against women in the sciences. Along the way, she opens doors for other strong, smart women scientists, for whom other paths were often closed.
You don’t have to be a scientist to appreciate the excitement as different laboratories contributed pieces of the puzzle that led to breakthroughs in our understanding of the basis of matter. Sobel does a great job of bringing to life the science and famous personalities in a very human and understandable way. I gained new insights into the way the parts of the atom were discovered. She conveys the historic era with attention to the obstacles for women and how Marie Curie overcame them with patience, hard work, and determination. We see the great personages at the Sorbonne in Paris. Marie loses her husband to an accident with a horse-drawn conveyance in the streets of Paris. The quick application of radioactive emanations to medicine for the treatment of cancers is astonishing.
Dava Sobel brings new information and a fresh perspective to the influence and accomplishment of this extraordinary woman. There is a lot here for anyone interested in understanding what it took to get where we are today. Marie Curie facilitated the advancement of fundamental science as well as the careers of numerous male and female scientists, including her daughter, who also won a Nobel prize for her discoveries. The book is a triumph for author Dava Sobel, an absorbing read of a fascinating woman and exciting scientific moment. Highly recommend. Thanks to Grove Atlantic for the galley copy.
The suspenseful narrative takes Marie Curie on heroic and dangerous paths—from her beginnings in Russian-controlled Poland, where she had to learn in secret, as it was forbidden to women, to handling radioactive elements with no protections before the dangers were known. In Paris during the first World War, she rigged up a portable X-ray machine to show where bullets lay in soldiers’ bodies so they could be removed. She drove her machine near the front lines to save the lives of the French defenders.
After the death of her beloved husband and scientific partner Pierre Curie, Marie Curie takes her place alongside other well-known scientific geniuses of the time including Mendeleev, who revised the Periodic Table of Elements based on hers and others’ discoveries; Albert Einstein, who was a personal friend; and Neils Bohr, who responded to her challenge that they were thinking about the atom all wrong. The only person to win a Nobel prize in two different disciplines (physics and chemistry), Marie Curie more than holds her own despite ridiculous and sometimes funny prejudices against women in the sciences. Along the way, she opens doors for other strong, smart women scientists, for whom other paths were often closed.
You don’t have to be a scientist to appreciate the excitement as different laboratories contributed pieces of the puzzle that led to breakthroughs in our understanding of the basis of matter. Sobel does a great job of bringing to life the science and famous personalities in a very human and understandable way. I gained new insights into the way the parts of the atom were discovered. She conveys the historic era with attention to the obstacles for women and how Marie Curie overcame them with patience, hard work, and determination. We see the great personages at the Sorbonne in Paris. Marie loses her husband to an accident with a horse-drawn conveyance in the streets of Paris. The quick application of radioactive emanations to medicine for the treatment of cancers is astonishing.
Dava Sobel brings new information and a fresh perspective to the influence and accomplishment of this extraordinary woman. There is a lot here for anyone interested in understanding what it took to get where we are today. Marie Curie facilitated the advancement of fundamental science as well as the careers of numerous male and female scientists, including her daughter, who also won a Nobel prize for her discoveries. The book is a triumph for author Dava Sobel, an absorbing read of a fascinating woman and exciting scientific moment. Highly recommend. Thanks to Grove Atlantic for the galley copy.
November 17, 2024
Below is based on a ARC from NetGalley.
Dava Sobel, a renowned science writer, offers a compelling portrait of Marie Curie in "The Elements of Marie Curie". This book aims to encapsulate not only Curie's scientific achievements but also her personal struggles and triumphs. As someone coming from a more theoretical background in physics, my review will focus on the accuracy of the scientific content, the depth of analysis, and the broader contextual understanding Sobel provides of Curie's work and its impact on science.
Sobel excels in presenting the scientific achievements of Marie Curie with commendable accuracy. The descriptions of Curie's discovery of polonium and radium are detailed yet accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable to a broad audience. However, for a reader like me, the book might seem to lack the deeper mathematical and theoretical explorations that underpin Curie’s discoveries.
Curie's pioneering work in radioactivity is pivotal in the field of physics, leading to significant advancements in quantum theory and nuclear physics. Sobel touches on these connections but does not delve into the intricate theoretical frameworks that would interest a more specialised reader. For instance, the mathematical formulations of radioactive decay laws and their implications for quantum mechanics are only briefly mentioned.
One of the book's strengths lies in its contextual analysis of Curie's work within the broader scientific community of her time. Sobel effectively portrays the challenges Curie faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, highlighting her perseverance and resilience. The narrative provides a balanced view of her professional and personal life, illustrating how her discoveries were both a product of her genius and her extraordinary determination.
The book also discusses the historical context of Curie's research, including her collaboration with her husband, Pierre Curie, and the subsequent solo endeavors following his untimely death. This contextual background is essential for understanding the full impact of Curie’s work and the obstacles she overcame.
Sobel's writing is engaging and accessible, making the book suitable for both general readers and those with a scientific background. Her ability to humanise Curie, portraying her as a multi-dimensional figure rather than a distant scientific icon, is particularly effective. This approach makes the book an inspiring read, although it may sacrifice some depth in the scientific discussions.
From a critical standpoint, the book could benefit from a more rigorous exploration of the theoretical implications of Curie's discoveries. A deeper dive into the theoretical models and their subsequent influence on later scientific developments would provide more substantial content for readers well-versed in physics. Additionally, a more thorough examination of how Curie’s work laid the groundwork for future breakthroughs in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics would enhance the book's appeal to a specialised audience.
Dava Sobel, a renowned science writer, offers a compelling portrait of Marie Curie in "The Elements of Marie Curie". This book aims to encapsulate not only Curie's scientific achievements but also her personal struggles and triumphs. As someone coming from a more theoretical background in physics, my review will focus on the accuracy of the scientific content, the depth of analysis, and the broader contextual understanding Sobel provides of Curie's work and its impact on science.
Sobel excels in presenting the scientific achievements of Marie Curie with commendable accuracy. The descriptions of Curie's discovery of polonium and radium are detailed yet accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable to a broad audience. However, for a reader like me, the book might seem to lack the deeper mathematical and theoretical explorations that underpin Curie’s discoveries.
Curie's pioneering work in radioactivity is pivotal in the field of physics, leading to significant advancements in quantum theory and nuclear physics. Sobel touches on these connections but does not delve into the intricate theoretical frameworks that would interest a more specialised reader. For instance, the mathematical formulations of radioactive decay laws and their implications for quantum mechanics are only briefly mentioned.
One of the book's strengths lies in its contextual analysis of Curie's work within the broader scientific community of her time. Sobel effectively portrays the challenges Curie faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, highlighting her perseverance and resilience. The narrative provides a balanced view of her professional and personal life, illustrating how her discoveries were both a product of her genius and her extraordinary determination.
The book also discusses the historical context of Curie's research, including her collaboration with her husband, Pierre Curie, and the subsequent solo endeavors following his untimely death. This contextual background is essential for understanding the full impact of Curie’s work and the obstacles she overcame.
Sobel's writing is engaging and accessible, making the book suitable for both general readers and those with a scientific background. Her ability to humanise Curie, portraying her as a multi-dimensional figure rather than a distant scientific icon, is particularly effective. This approach makes the book an inspiring read, although it may sacrifice some depth in the scientific discussions.
From a critical standpoint, the book could benefit from a more rigorous exploration of the theoretical implications of Curie's discoveries. A deeper dive into the theoretical models and their subsequent influence on later scientific developments would provide more substantial content for readers well-versed in physics. Additionally, a more thorough examination of how Curie’s work laid the groundwork for future breakthroughs in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics would enhance the book's appeal to a specialised audience.
October 29, 2024
Marie Sklodowska Curie won two Nobel Prizes, one in physics and one in chemistry, and dedicated her life to studying radioactivity, a word that she coined. “The Elements of Marie Curie,” a work of non-fiction by Dava Sobel, traces Marie’s experiences from her bittersweet childhood in Poland until her death in France. We learn about her extensive education, marriage to Pierre, motherhood (the Curies had two daughters, Irène and Ève), the Curies’ discovery of polonium and radium, and the decades that Madame Curie spent unlocking the mysteries of radioactivity.
Marie was a humble person, but she knew her own worth. When Pierre died in 1906, she was grief-stricken, but took his place as a teacher of physics at the Sorbonne, where she had received degrees in both physical sciences and mathematics. In addition, she invited young scholars to her laboratory, where they acquired valuable skills and experience. Few people realize how many female scientists worked in Europe during the early twentieth century. Sobel names quite a few talented women, such as Marguerite Perey and Ellen Gleditsch, who were mentored by Mme. Curie, and went on to have distinguished careers of their own. In her preface, Sobel states that there were “forty-five aspiring female scientists who spent a formative period in the Curie lab.”
The discovery of x-rays made it possibly to more precisely diagnose medical conditions. To her tremendous credit, Marie created portable x-ray units that were used in World War I to help physicians treat wounded soldiers. Tragically, the researchers who exposed themselves to radioactivity did not realize that they needed to protect themselves from this powerful force. As a consequence, a number of them would die at a relatively young age. “The Elements of Marie Curie” is an enlightening exploration of Madame Curie’s amazing life, not just as a scientist, but also as a doting parent and renowned professor. It should be noted that those of us who are unfamiliar with advanced physics, chemistry, and mathematics will find some of the more technical passages difficult to navigate. Overall, however, the author vividly details the tremendous contributions made by Marie, Irėne, and many other eminent individuals—among them, Wilhelm Roentgen, Henri Becquerel, Ernest Rutherford, Albert Einstein, and Max Planck—who sought to understand and unleash the power of the atom.
Marie was a humble person, but she knew her own worth. When Pierre died in 1906, she was grief-stricken, but took his place as a teacher of physics at the Sorbonne, where she had received degrees in both physical sciences and mathematics. In addition, she invited young scholars to her laboratory, where they acquired valuable skills and experience. Few people realize how many female scientists worked in Europe during the early twentieth century. Sobel names quite a few talented women, such as Marguerite Perey and Ellen Gleditsch, who were mentored by Mme. Curie, and went on to have distinguished careers of their own. In her preface, Sobel states that there were “forty-five aspiring female scientists who spent a formative period in the Curie lab.”
The discovery of x-rays made it possibly to more precisely diagnose medical conditions. To her tremendous credit, Marie created portable x-ray units that were used in World War I to help physicians treat wounded soldiers. Tragically, the researchers who exposed themselves to radioactivity did not realize that they needed to protect themselves from this powerful force. As a consequence, a number of them would die at a relatively young age. “The Elements of Marie Curie” is an enlightening exploration of Madame Curie’s amazing life, not just as a scientist, but also as a doting parent and renowned professor. It should be noted that those of us who are unfamiliar with advanced physics, chemistry, and mathematics will find some of the more technical passages difficult to navigate. Overall, however, the author vividly details the tremendous contributions made by Marie, Irėne, and many other eminent individuals—among them, Wilhelm Roentgen, Henri Becquerel, Ernest Rutherford, Albert Einstein, and Max Planck—who sought to understand and unleash the power of the atom.
October 9, 2024
She remains one of the most famous women in science
Most people, if asked to name a famous female scientist, would likely have Marie Curie spring to mind. The winner of a Nobel prize in two separate fields of science (the only person, male or female, to do so) in the early 1900’s, one in Physics alongside her husband Pierre and a second in Chemistry, she was clearly a brilliant scientist, and given that this was a time when women were not commonly found in that field her achievements are even more remarkable. But who was this woman? How was she able to enter and thrive in a male-dominated field, and what were her many contributions to the field? In reading this well-crafted biography from Dava Sobel, author of Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter, I was fascinated by how little I actually knew of this woman. She was passionate about her field of study, but also had a strong marriage (which ended too early due to a tragic accident) and raised two daughters (one of whom would herself go on to win a Nobel prize). She coined the word “radioactivity”, made significant contributions in developing X-rays which would improve care for soldiers during World War I, mentored scores of other women scientists and in so doing ensuring that their path would be easier than her own had been, and died at a relatively early age of a disease likely caused by her long term exposure to radiation during her scientific studies. In short, although I knew of Marie Curie prior to reading this book I did not know nearly as much about her and her accomplishments as I should have done. Readers of Dava Sobel’s prior books will have an idea of what to expect, a well-written account of the life of a scientist whose many contributions to science deserve wider appreciation, but anyone who is interested in the accomplishments of women in science and the barriers which they needed to overcome will also find this to be an enthralling read. If you enjoyed Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures or the books of Mark Kurlansky or Simon Winchester, this is a story you do not want to miss. Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press for allowing me early access to this fascinating look at a woman who lived an amazing life, and to author Sobel for continuing to use her gifts for storytelling to bring pieces of history to life.
Most people, if asked to name a famous female scientist, would likely have Marie Curie spring to mind. The winner of a Nobel prize in two separate fields of science (the only person, male or female, to do so) in the early 1900’s, one in Physics alongside her husband Pierre and a second in Chemistry, she was clearly a brilliant scientist, and given that this was a time when women were not commonly found in that field her achievements are even more remarkable. But who was this woman? How was she able to enter and thrive in a male-dominated field, and what were her many contributions to the field? In reading this well-crafted biography from Dava Sobel, author of Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter, I was fascinated by how little I actually knew of this woman. She was passionate about her field of study, but also had a strong marriage (which ended too early due to a tragic accident) and raised two daughters (one of whom would herself go on to win a Nobel prize). She coined the word “radioactivity”, made significant contributions in developing X-rays which would improve care for soldiers during World War I, mentored scores of other women scientists and in so doing ensuring that their path would be easier than her own had been, and died at a relatively early age of a disease likely caused by her long term exposure to radiation during her scientific studies. In short, although I knew of Marie Curie prior to reading this book I did not know nearly as much about her and her accomplishments as I should have done. Readers of Dava Sobel’s prior books will have an idea of what to expect, a well-written account of the life of a scientist whose many contributions to science deserve wider appreciation, but anyone who is interested in the accomplishments of women in science and the barriers which they needed to overcome will also find this to be an enthralling read. If you enjoyed Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures or the books of Mark Kurlansky or Simon Winchester, this is a story you do not want to miss. Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press for allowing me early access to this fascinating look at a woman who lived an amazing life, and to author Sobel for continuing to use her gifts for storytelling to bring pieces of history to life.
October 9, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Dava Sobel for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!
"The Elements of Marie Curie" is a look through X-ray vision at the quiet and curious character of "Mlle Curie", the Polish-born scientist who remains the only person to have won two Nobel prizes in different categories for her contributions to - and hand in building - the field of radiology.
As we walk with Marie through her upbringing in Poland, her brave and dedicated work in Paris, the only place in which she could reach her dream of higher education at the time, and her long and dedicated career in the elements - radium and polonium being her greatest discoveries - we also walk among the pioneering men and women who helped create a world in which women were allowed to seek something beyond an end in marriage and childbearing.
We also get an in-depth look at Marie as Madame Curie, Marie as "ma mere" to her biological and adopted scientist daughters, and Marie as an unwilling public hero in her own time. Through her personal correspondence and records of the time the larger-than-life figure who commands an element of the periodic table I learned about throughout decades of schooling was cast in a very new and poignant light, which I found to be delightful.
I think this books is accessible and thoughtful not only for scientists who wish to learn more about one of science's greatest contributors, but for anyone who is interested in learning about the quiet, humble woman who fell in love, supported and encouraged her children, hosted Sunday dinners, loved biking and hiking, and who did so while also carving a path for women who wished for a space to pursue their academic interests as well as their personal desires for marriage and children. If you saw the "Barbie" movie, I think the end scene with Barbie and Ruth kind of encapsulates what I am trying, and failing, to capture about what I feel about the end of this book.
Overall, 5/5 read and I think would be great for anyone who has ever willingly or unwillingly studied the Periodic Table (and don't worry, there is a really nice glossary with definitions and terminology for anyone who needs a refresher)!
"The Elements of Marie Curie" is a look through X-ray vision at the quiet and curious character of "Mlle Curie", the Polish-born scientist who remains the only person to have won two Nobel prizes in different categories for her contributions to - and hand in building - the field of radiology.
As we walk with Marie through her upbringing in Poland, her brave and dedicated work in Paris, the only place in which she could reach her dream of higher education at the time, and her long and dedicated career in the elements - radium and polonium being her greatest discoveries - we also walk among the pioneering men and women who helped create a world in which women were allowed to seek something beyond an end in marriage and childbearing.
We also get an in-depth look at Marie as Madame Curie, Marie as "ma mere" to her biological and adopted scientist daughters, and Marie as an unwilling public hero in her own time. Through her personal correspondence and records of the time the larger-than-life figure who commands an element of the periodic table I learned about throughout decades of schooling was cast in a very new and poignant light, which I found to be delightful.
I think this books is accessible and thoughtful not only for scientists who wish to learn more about one of science's greatest contributors, but for anyone who is interested in learning about the quiet, humble woman who fell in love, supported and encouraged her children, hosted Sunday dinners, loved biking and hiking, and who did so while also carving a path for women who wished for a space to pursue their academic interests as well as their personal desires for marriage and children. If you saw the "Barbie" movie, I think the end scene with Barbie and Ruth kind of encapsulates what I am trying, and failing, to capture about what I feel about the end of this book.
Overall, 5/5 read and I think would be great for anyone who has ever willingly or unwillingly studied the Periodic Table (and don't worry, there is a really nice glossary with definitions and terminology for anyone who needs a refresher)!
November 2, 2024
Dava Sobel's The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science offers another portrait of one of the most iconic figures in the history of science. Marie Curie, the only woman to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields—Physics and Chemistry—famously displayed persistence and resilience in the face of significant societal and scientific challenges. Sobel's inclusion of Curie's work during World War I, where she equipped a van with X-ray equipment to assist soldiers on the front lines, adds depth to Curie's character, showcasing her dedication to using science for humanitarian purposes.
However, the book falls short in several key areas. One notable issue is the absence of Polish diacritics when referring to Polish names, including Maria Skłodowska's own name, which detracts from an authentic portrayal of her heritage. Additionally, while Sobel touches on the theoretical implications of Curie's discoveries, the treatment of these aspects feels somewhat superficial. Moreover, despite the promise of the book's title, it does not significantly address the enduring issue that Marie Curie remains the most recognizable female scientist even a century after her death. This is a missed opportunity to delve deeper into why other women scientists have not achieved the same level of recognition and what can be done to change that narrative.
Overall, The Elements of Marie Curie is an engaging and informative read, particularly for those new to Curie's story or interested in the history of women in science. However, readers looking for a more in-depth exploration of the scientific theories behind Curie's work or a more critical analysis of her legacy may want to seek out another biography.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
November 3, 2024
Dava Sobel has written several books about the people and history of science.To me the aspect of such writing that she most excels in is capturing the relationship between the culture of the time described and the part of the science described that is new for that period.
In this book of the life of Marie Curie she is at the top of that form.
Maybe it is just me, since my earliest interest in science was oriented toward chemistry, but the ability of Sobel to describe the painstaking process of fractional crystallization and why such precision in applying the technique was necessary for the isolation of radium is a characteristic example of what makes this book great.
The time of Marie Curie's life was one of great turmoil in historic, cultural and scientific contexts. Sobel covers both these aspects in great detail. In terms of history and culture, one of the finest examples of the details of how women's activities changed is the description of the mobile radiology clinics Madame Curie set up near the front lines during World War I. In terms of science, the range of change was staggering. For example, chemistry had just thrown off the ideas of alchemists such as transmutation of elements, to be replaced by the idea of conservation of mass. But very early in the study of radioactive elements, it became apparent that these elements not only gave off new "rays" but their character changed. This book makes it clear how Marie Curie's participation across both physics and chemistry helped establish just how these changes occurred.
In this book of the life of Marie Curie she is at the top of that form.
Maybe it is just me, since my earliest interest in science was oriented toward chemistry, but the ability of Sobel to describe the painstaking process of fractional crystallization and why such precision in applying the technique was necessary for the isolation of radium is a characteristic example of what makes this book great.
The time of Marie Curie's life was one of great turmoil in historic, cultural and scientific contexts. Sobel covers both these aspects in great detail. In terms of history and culture, one of the finest examples of the details of how women's activities changed is the description of the mobile radiology clinics Madame Curie set up near the front lines during World War I. In terms of science, the range of change was staggering. For example, chemistry had just thrown off the ideas of alchemists such as transmutation of elements, to be replaced by the idea of conservation of mass. But very early in the study of radioactive elements, it became apparent that these elements not only gave off new "rays" but their character changed. This book makes it clear how Marie Curie's participation across both physics and chemistry helped establish just how these changes occurred.
October 22, 2024
This is a detailed account of Madame Curie’s life from her girlhood in Warsaw, Poland to her career in physics in Paris at the Sorbonne.
She was encouraged in her interest in science by her father. She initially moved to France to become a governess—she and her sister, Bronya, had an arrangement whereby Marie would work for some years so that Bronya could become a doctor. Then Bronya would pay for Marie’s education, which she did.
In Paris, Marie meets Pierre Curie, a brilliant young physicist, whom she marries and has 2 daughters (Irene and Eve) by. After (spoiler) Pierre’s tragic, early death, Marie carries on alone as a single mother and physics researchers. She discovers radium—the first isolated radioactive element.
This book also provides portraits of the many “radioactivists,” who capitalized on Marie’s work, discovering more radioactive elements and further fleshing out the Periodic Chart of the Elements—one of the foundations in the study of matter.
A good book if you’re interested in the early days of physics and the development of radiation for safe, medical purposes.
She was encouraged in her interest in science by her father. She initially moved to France to become a governess—she and her sister, Bronya, had an arrangement whereby Marie would work for some years so that Bronya could become a doctor. Then Bronya would pay for Marie’s education, which she did.
In Paris, Marie meets Pierre Curie, a brilliant young physicist, whom she marries and has 2 daughters (Irene and Eve) by. After (spoiler) Pierre’s tragic, early death, Marie carries on alone as a single mother and physics researchers. She discovers radium—the first isolated radioactive element.
This book also provides portraits of the many “radioactivists,” who capitalized on Marie’s work, discovering more radioactive elements and further fleshing out the Periodic Chart of the Elements—one of the foundations in the study of matter.
A good book if you’re interested in the early days of physics and the development of radiation for safe, medical purposes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2024
This book touched me in ways I didn’t expect. I obviously knew of Marie Curie from before and some basic facts about her life but this was my first deep dive into her life and her story.
Several elements (no pun intended) touched me with this story. As the daughter of a female immigrant scientist and someone who has then ended up emigrated the themes of female accomplishment paired with a love and longing for your home country really touched me. I found myself highlighting several passages from the book.
I know absolutely nothing about science and thinking about it for too long makes my brain hurt but I found that the descriptions were ok for the complete ignorant like me. It didn’t feel too overwhelming or make any assumptions. The love between a couple, the dedication to the war effort, the love for ones work and the humble disposition makes her such a person to admire. To see the amount of women she helped push forward was moving and inspiring. The book was well written and had good pacing throughout, and didn’t get boring or repetitive. The personal letters were such a nice touch and it is fun to think that even though separated by all these years I still have a sense of humour very similar to her youngest daughter.
The book had a lot of life, love and compassion. Would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy
Several elements (no pun intended) touched me with this story. As the daughter of a female immigrant scientist and someone who has then ended up emigrated the themes of female accomplishment paired with a love and longing for your home country really touched me. I found myself highlighting several passages from the book.
I know absolutely nothing about science and thinking about it for too long makes my brain hurt but I found that the descriptions were ok for the complete ignorant like me. It didn’t feel too overwhelming or make any assumptions. The love between a couple, the dedication to the war effort, the love for ones work and the humble disposition makes her such a person to admire. To see the amount of women she helped push forward was moving and inspiring. The book was well written and had good pacing throughout, and didn’t get boring or repetitive. The personal letters were such a nice touch and it is fun to think that even though separated by all these years I still have a sense of humour very similar to her youngest daughter.
The book had a lot of life, love and compassion. Would recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy
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