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.
Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for this review 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.
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