No comments about Memoir of the Life and Labours of the Late Charles Babbage Esq. F.R.S. (Charles Babbage Institute Reprint).

1 comments about Sally Ride: Shooting for the Stars Great Lives Series.

1. Although this book was very informative, it was very hard for my nine year old to read. I helped her with alot of words and I may add she's quite academic in school. I would start the age at 12 and up. Other than that it's full of facts for a book report.

4 comments about What's Past is Prologue: The Personal Stories of Women in Science at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

1. In this era of our hunger for all things "reality", this book truly stands out as an inspiration of the real lives of women scientists. As written in their own words, these women really come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Their stories are riveting and unique. Every woman thinking about a career in science and medicine should be able to identify with at least some of the women in the book and find in them the inspiration to pursue their career dreams. These autobiographies humanize these intelligent and creative women, and demonstrate that women in science are multi-faceted and can have a career, family, and outside interests. Dr. Neilson has done an excellent job of assembling these life stories and of uniting them all together. I highly recomment the book for all women thinking of, or already immersed in, a career in scientific research.



2. It has been wonderful to read "What's Past is Prologue: The Personal Stories of Women in Science at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine" by Dr Neilson. As a woman planning to enter academic medicine currently at the end of my MD/PhD training and also a mother of 2 young children, this book was not only highly inspirational but also provided a window into the personal lives of outstanding female scientists. It makes me realize that my struggles and joys are quite universal and our paths albeit different lead to common dreams. Overall, I highly recommend this book to both women and men alike interested in academic medicine.



3. What's Past is Prologue is one of the most inspirational books I have read. I am a female physician in training in internal medicine and found these personal stories by my female collegues very unique and admirable. I strive to also become a female physician scientist.It was very rewarding to hear how they juggle family and their successful careers. I highly recommend this book.



4. "What's Past is Prologue" is a collection of brief autobiographical essays of several women physicians and scientists at Vanderbilt University's School of Medicine. The writers range from assistant faculty members to chairs of departments. It's a terrific and inspirational read for aspiring physicians and scientists, whether male or female. The authors' main themes are varied. Most discuss in depth the passion they have for science and medicine and what sparked that early in their careers. The authors that are also mothers recount how they have managed their time in order to be productive physicians and scientists while raising and connecting with their children.
   
   I'm an MD/PhD student in the middle of grad school, and reading these essays has been a great source of enjoyment. It's like being privy to conversations with 27 of your heroes who are answering questions you'd like to ask but might feel to shy to actually do so. What drives you - what's your passion? What is your schedule like? How and when did you have children and what resources do you draw upon to maintain a family life? What do you look forward to in the future?
   
   Overall, I highly recommend this book to young people who are considering, or are already embarked upon, careers in medicine.

3 comments about Ditka: An Autobiography.

1. Ditka : an Autobiography by Mike Ditka is boofy old Iron Mike's story. He tells what it was like to be a tough guy and a hardarse, and to plan with ridiculous injury levels and what that did to him.
   
   Oh yeah, and a bit on that whole coaching and Superbowl thing as well. Not too bad for this sort of book.



2. DITKA IS A VERY ENJOYABLE BOOK. MR. DITKA DOES A GREAT JOB TELLING THE STORY OF THIS LIFE AND CAREER. I FOUND HIS OPINIONS AND INSIGHT VERY HUMAN AND INTENSE. HE WAS CERTAINLY A GLADIATOR ON THE FIELD AND A TAKE NOTHING FROM NOBODY COACH. I REALLY LIKE HIS STYLE AND HONESTY IN THIS BOOK. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR ALL FOOTBALL FANS AND ESPECIALLY FOR BEAR FANS. HE IS ONE OF THE FIVE GREATEST BEARS OF THE MODERN ERA HALAS, SAYERS, PAYTON, BUTKUS, BEING THE OTHERS. A MUST READ



3. The fiery New Orleans Saints head coach provides fans with an insightful look on his childhood, playing career with the Bears, Eagles and Cowboys and transformation from an assistant coach to a head coach. Ditka also discusses his coaching philosophy, relationships with many of his star players and family life. You will not be disappointed.

No comments about Life of a Scientist: An Autobiographical Account of the Development of Molecular Orbital Theory With an Introductory Memoir by Friedrich Hund.

1 comments about Hugh Miller: Stonemason, Geologist, Writer.

1. Well written, well illustrated and well worth the price. Hugh Miller is a major figure in paleontology and this book is a fitting tribute to him.
   This man proved that anyone can make great observations in science if they put their mind to it!

No comments about Galileo Galilei - Biography of the Father of Science (Biography).

2 comments about Memoir of a Thinking Radish.

1. To begin at the end, Peter Medawar concludes "despite its vicissitudes, my life has by no means been without its risible aspects."
   
   That is how we know him, because that is how he presented himself in a series of books, notably "Pluto's Republic": a vastly intelligent, ironic, sardonic skewerer of silly egos.
   
   Well, that and his Nobel Prize for discovering immunological resistance.
   
   In 1986, at age 71 and slowed by a series of strokes, he composed a brief, episodic "life" that is not, as he says, so much a history of his life as a chance to express opinions about things.
   
   It is his willingness to express opinions -- some original, some oft-thought but seldom expressed -- that keeps all Medawar's popular writings so fresh. And his courage. Not many -- probably not any -- other well-known public figure in England would go public with his remarks about the sadism of the homosexual nurses who plagued him in a rehabilitation hospital after his first stroke. We can take it as read that the sadism was real; Medawar, of all people, would not make it up.
   
   He also has at snobismus, disparagers of the National Health Service (the greatest social innovation in the past 150 years, he says, apparently dating from the revision of the Poor Laws), communism, racism (as the son of Lebanese Maronite, he ran up against it), and many others.
   
   Medawar pulls no punches. He was a great admirer of Karl Popper and judged the later generation of philosophers "mavericks and clowns." A just assessment despite the disrepute that Logical Positivism also enjoys now.
   
   It is thus startling to discover that even Medawar nods. I do not share his enthusiasm for opera, which is neither here nor there; but his distaste for Gilbert is strangely stated. He finds Sullivan's music mediocre but Gilbert's librettos callous in their treatment of old maids. Maybe so, but it is odd for him to say the cruelty came about because of a well-known demographic shortage of marrying men in the middle classes.
   
   Whatever can he mean by that? Yes, there was a shortaage when he started attending G&S productions, but there was no slaughter of men in the 1840s and `50s that would have affected Gilbert's or his audiences' attitudes in the `70s and `80s. Very strange.
   
   It is also a shock to find Medawar, usually so careful and skeptical, falling for the claptrap of Amory and Hunter Lovins. That he would admire such Luddites is particularly perplexing in light of his genial acceptance of scientific progress. The Lovinses are not about either progress or science. Strange bedfellows.



2. It's unfortunate that this book is out of print. Medewar won the 1960 Nobel Prize for his research in tissue transplantation, and later wrote extensively on science and scientific method (see his other books, esp. Pluto's Republic).

   This book is autobiographical and, as the author suggests, is not so much a life story as a series "of opinions which my life can be regarded as a pretext for holding." Well-written, lucid, with many wonderful descriptions of the humor and fun which came with his life. He looks back on his life with a degree of indulgent joy; as successful as it was, it was the journey, not the destination, which he enjoyed.

   If you feel that the education system is not geared for you, yet you hunger for what an education can provide, this book will give you hope. Medewar succeeded despite the education system, rather than because of it.

   This book has some strong opinions in it, with which you may not agree. That's fine. Enjoy it for its clarity and enjoyment of life, despite various trials along the way.

2 comments about Maria Mitchell: A Life in Journals and Letters.

1. Many people know of Nantucket Island. To some, it has the reputation of a beautiful seaport with well restored buildings, cobble stoned streets, very active tourism activity, and a particularly affluent summer colony. Others know of its rich history, particularly the prosperous whaling industy that existed in the 1800's. A visitor soon finds out that there's much more. You don't have to walk far from the ferry landing to be aware of the outstanding museums, one of which has the collection of he Maria Mitchell Association.
   The Mitchell family, William, Lydia, and their ten children, lived and were active in the prosperous whaling town, but had different interests. Maria, the third child, and her father became ardently interested in astronomy. Her mostly self education, particularly in science and mathematics, will amaze you as you read the Albers book. Few people know much of this extrordinary woman.
   The book, a collection of Miss Mitchell's letters, diaries and other related materials, was edited by the fifth director of he Vassar College Observatory, Dr. Albers. Maria Mitchell was the first. She organized the astronomy department of the then new college, Vassar, in 1865.
   Biiographies , and actually much non-fiction , do not have wide appeal to many readers. This book is truly refreshing and an enlightening read. In the background is the fascinating story of the island where she grew up and he status of women in 18th century America, although one doesn't have to be a history buff or a feminist to enjoy this book.



2. One doesn't have to be an astronomer to enjoy this book about an extremely gifted,intelligent and independent woman. This book is mostly from her own diaries and wonderfully edited and annotated. In order to pursue the interest in astronomy fostered by her father, she actually taught herself mathematics, including calculus. She spent clear nights, whatever the temperature on in the small observatory of her Nantucket home. At the age of 29 she became world-famous for discovering a comet, an accomplishment that brought her awards, recognition and even a gold medal awarded from the King of Denmark.
   Her world travels are fascinating as are the many famous people she met. There's a very amusing anecdote about a trip in Europe with Nathanial Hawthorne and his family.
   She became professor of astronomy at Vasser in 1865 and carried on a constant correspondence with the president and trustees of Vassar with her peppery, terse and
   assertive letters requesting equal salary equal to male professors - a struggle still experienced by today's women.
   Her contemporaries and friends were suffragists such as Julia Ward Howe and Elizabeth Cady, writers such as Emerson and Alcott and other famous people. It was a given that she would become President of the Association for the Advancement of Women and was in great demand as a speaker.
   A woman reader will be constantly amazed to find so much in comman with this 19th century woman. However, men,too, will enjoy her achievements, intelligence and travelogues.

No comments about The Art and Politics of Science.