The Elements of Marie Curie by Dava Sobel is a captivating and insightful biography that delves into the life and achievements of one of the most remarkable scientists in history. Sobel's meticulous research and engaging narrative style bring Marie Curie's story to life, highlighting her groundbreaking discoveries and the personal challenges she faced.

Pros:

In-depth Research: Sobel's thorough research is evident throughout the book, providing a comprehensive look at Curie's scientific contributions and personal life.

Engaging Writing: The narrative is both informative and engaging, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience.

Historical Context: The book offers a rich historical context, shedding light on the societal and scientific landscape of Curie's time.

Cons:

Pacing: At times, the pacing can be slow, particularly when delving into detailed scientific explanations.

Focus: While the book provides a detailed account of Curie's life, some readers might find the focus on her personal struggles a bit overwhelming compared to her scientific achievements.

Overall, The Elements of Marie Curie is a well-crafted biography that honors the legacy of a pioneering scientist. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the history of science and the remarkable life of Marie Curie.

reviewed after assignment for the web newsletter Shelf Awareness. review can be found in full at https://www.shelf-awareness.com/

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

This is a captivating and intimate biography that delves into the extraordinary life and groundbreaking work of one of history's most remarkable scientists. Sobel masterfully weaves together the personal and professional aspects of Marie Curie's life, painting a vivid portrait of a woman who defied societal norms and shattered scientific barriers. From her humble beginnings in Poland to her pioneering research in radioactivity, the author brings Curie's story to life. The narrative is enriched by insightful glimpses into Curie's relationships with her husband, Pierre, and their daughters, Irène and Ève.
At the core of the book is Curie’s revolutionary work in radioactivity, a term she coined herself. The journey of Curie's early research in a rudimentary laboratory, where she worked under grueling conditions to isolate the elements polonium and radium, are meticulously traced. The descriptions of these experiments are rich with detail, capturing the painstaking hours Curie spent in her lab, enduring physical hardships and pushing through exhaustion. This narrative brings readers into Curie’s world, creating a palpable sense of the dedication and sheer perseverance required for her breakthroughs.
By shedding light on the technical side of Curie’s experiments without overwhelming readers with scientific jargon, the author offers explanations that enhance appreciation for Curie’s achievements. The descriptions of her methods feel immersive, as the complex process of isolating radioactive elements is unfolded. This is no simple feat, as Curie’s work was not only groundbreaking but also extremely dangerous—a fact underscored by the illnesses she suffered due to prolonged exposure to radioactive materials. Sobel manages to convey the gravity of her work’s risks while celebrating the intellectual bravery it took to push forward despite them.
Sobel also brings a deep sense of humanity to Curie’s life, exploring her personal struggles, sacrifices, and the remarkable resilience that defined her journey. Curie’s relationship with her husband and scientific partner, Pierre Curie, is depicted as a profound intellectual and emotional partnership. The love they shared fueled their collaborative research, making the story of Pierre’s untimely death a particularly moving part of the book. Curie fell into a profound depression, yet she emerged from grief to continue their shared mission, a testament to her strength and unwavering commitment to science.
Another repercussion of Pierre’s death was the profound isolation she faced, not only because of her grief but also due to the societal and professional scrutiny that came with being a woman in a male-dominated field. The author doesn’t shy away from addressing the scandal that followed Curie’s affair with a married colleague, a controversy that jeopardized her career and subjected her to intense public scrutiny. This part of Curie’s story reveals the depth of her resilience, as she endured personal attacks yet continued to work tirelessly, eventually earning her second Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
One of the book’s strengths is its detailed descriptions of Curie's interactions with contemporaries like Albert Einstein and other influential scientists. Sobel enriches Curie’s narrative by situating her within a broader network of scientific minds, highlighting both collaborations and tensions in a field dominated by male figures. This perspective underscores Curie's perseverance in claiming her space as a leader in science, culminating in her dual Nobel Prizes in both physics and chemistry.
Every chapter emphasizes the challenges Curie faced as a woman in science. Despite her unprecedented accomplishments, Curie encountered persistent gender discrimination from the scientific community, which is illustrated with well-documented examples. Curie’s exclusion from the French Academy of Sciences, despite her Nobel Prize, highlights the professional obstacles she faced purely because of her gender. Sobel uses these incidents to underscore the broader struggle for female scientists of Curie’s time, illustrating just how revolutionary her achievements were in a field that constantly attempted to undermine her.
Curie’s resilience in the face of this discrimination is portrayed as one of her defining traits. Instead of retreating, she worked harder, carving a path for future generations of women scientists.
Curie’s work lived on through her children, particularly her daughter Irène Joliot-Curie, who followed in her mother’s footsteps to become a Nobel Prize-winning chemist. Through this exploration of Curie’s legacy, the author illustrates how Curie’s life was not only a personal journey but also one that inspired and empowered others, especially women, to enter the scientific world.
Curie’s journey is relatable and inspiring. Readers will find a figure who, despite societal limitations and personal loss, pursued her passion with unwavering dedication, emerging as a role model for aspiring scientists everywhere. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring scientists, particularly women, who may face similar challenges in their own careers. In THE ELEMENTS OF MARIE CURIE, Dava Sobel offers a multi-dimensional portrait of a woman who was both a scientific genius and a resilient human being. Through careful research and empathetic storytelling, Sobel brings Curie’s journey to life, highlighting her contributions to science and her challenges as a woman in a restrictive society.
For anyone interested in the history of science, feminism, or simply an inspiring story of human strength, this is a compelling read and a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history of science and the lives of pioneering scientists. Sobel’s ability to present the scientist’s life in a way that is both educational and deeply moving makes this biography a standout addition to the literature on Curie. The book captures the depth of her humanity, reminding readers that behind every great scientific breakthrough is a person with dreams, struggles, and an unyielding will to make a difference.

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.

I tend to read more fiction but non-fiction but the life and work of Marie Curie impacts my work and I was curious about this new biography of her. Marie Curie was such an interesting figure - a giant in the world of radioactivity and her discoveries, with her husband, changed the world. I had no idea that she assisted in medical efforts during WWI and was amazed by all she did. Her legacy lived on in her daughters and the myriad women she trained or inspired to go into science. An accessible read and a fascinating read.

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'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.

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."

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.

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 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.

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. 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.

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.

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!

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 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. 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."

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.

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.

This book's subtitle provides important information. "How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science" tells the reader that this is more than just a biography. This book tells us how Madame Curie helped so many women study and work in science when it was not a common thing to do. We also learn how she managed to overcome her grief after her hubby was killed, and how she mothered her two daughters, allowing each to do her own thing, science or not. It is a fascinating and different way to view this famous scientist. Thanks to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and Atlantic Monthly Press for providing an ARC.

Loved The Elements of Marie Curie. I am a big fan of Dava Sobel's writing, and I grew up with Marie Curie as a personal hero. I am Polish and there weren't many Polish heroes way back when. Anyone who likes to read about science will enjoy this book as well as anyone (like me) who wants to fill in the many gaps of women's history.

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.

I've had a lifelong fascination with Marie Curie and her work, so a new biography about her life was always going to attract my attention. However, my scientific know-how is pretty basic, so I really appreciated that Dava Sobel has written a scientific biography for regular folk to enjoy as well.

Sobel's writing is engaging. She manages to explain complex scientific processes in a way that all readers will be able to grasp. The subtitle suggests that this will also be a biography about the many women who worked with Marie at different times throughout her career in her Paris lab. It is not. Brief histories are provided but little is insight is offereding into their working relationships or the social constraints of the time. From the title I thought there would be more of a deep dive into the psychology of these women, what made them tick, and what they thought about being women at the forefront of a major shift in society (ie women attending university for the first time and professional working women in labs for the first time).

I absolutely loved reading this book and engaging with Marie Curie's story once more and will recommend it to those wanting a good, solid grounding into her life and work.

Full review here - https://bronasbooks.com/2024/10/09/the-elements-of-marie-curie-dava-sobel/

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 offers an insightful and engaging portrait of one of science’s most remarkable figures. Through a detailed yet accessible narrative, the book traces Marie Curie’s groundbreaking work in radioactivity, her struggles and triumphs as a woman in a male-dominated field, and her relentless pursuit of knowledge. Rich with historical context and personal anecdotes, it brings to life not only Curie’s scientific contributions but also her humanity. This is a must-read for those intrigued by the intersection of science, perseverance, and history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for a copy of this book!

I loved this book so, so much. As someone who isn't in the sciences, my knowledge about Marie Curie's life is limited, and this book helped expand my understanding of her life and of the world of chemistry. The writing was truly wonderful - in fact, at first I thought this was a ficticious narrative because of the prose - that's how lovely the writing is!

I appreciate the author's ability to give us insight into the ways in which the fields of chemistry AND physics developed side-by-side. I had no idea that Einstein's family vacationed with Curie's family!
Highly recommend this book!

This is a very engaging and concise biography of Marie Curie. Dava Sobel's twist is a special emphasis on the women who trained in her laboratories and their subsequent careers. But the main thrust of the account is still the biography, which covers the many hurdles Curie faced as a pioneering woman as well as the joys of scientific discovery. The science is well explained and should be accessible to most readers (Possessing a Ph.D in chemistry, I may be a poor judge of this). This is definitely recommended, and makes me want to read the other Sobel books that I meant to read but never did.

Loved this book! As a woman in STEM I can appreciate how remarkable Mme. Curie was at any time in history. I so enjoyed learning about the women that either worked with or studied under Marie, that was not a part of history I was aware of. A unique perspective. The chapter titles as elements was also cute. Wonderful story for anyone that wants to learn more about the birth and early days of radioactive science.

Knowing very little about Marie Curie before picking up this book, I’m now in awe. Curie was an incredibly strong woman who quietly persevered through the challenges of her time. The author does a thorough job not just highlighting her scientific achievements but also weaving in stories about her daughters, showing how both grew into resilient, accomplished women. One of my favorite parts was learning about the many women Curie mentored, giving them a place to experiment in her lab—a true trailblazer in every sense. While there are some science sections, most of them are presented in a way that even a non-scientist like me can understand and appreciate. Overall, this book left me feeling inspired and grateful for the groundwork Marie Curie laid for women in science. Definitely a must-read for anyone looking for a bit of inspiration or just wanting to know the real story.

I really enjoyed this book. I have been fascinated with Marie Curie since I was in middle school and have watched/read everything there is to watch and read about her. I still learned a lot from this book, I was not aware of all the aspects of her life, so I am happy to have read this book.

This book isn't JUST about Marie Curie, it also talks about the women who worked with her, the "pioneers' in the science and research aspect. Marie gave everyone the opportunity to work in the science field, not just men. I think it's awesome that she favored women working in this field because she knew what it was like to be one of those women who was looked over and not taken seriously.

My favorite quote in the book was at the very beginning: "Even now, nearly a century after her death, Marie Curie remains the only female scientist whom most people can name." While this quote is true, at least for me, it's saddening because we should be able to name more female scientists off the top of our heads.

I will recommend this book to anyone, especially younger girls interested in science.

Another wonderful book from this author. She has a way of conveying a heavily researched story in an original way. Here, the story of Marie Curie goes deeper than the basics and highlights her cultivation of female talent in the sciences.

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.