Nobel Life by Stefano Sandrone

Nobel Life

by Stefano Sandrone

Few people have changed the world like the Nobel Prize winners. Their breakthrough discoveries have revolutionised medicine, chemistry, physics and economics. Nobel Life consists of original interviews with twenty-four Nobel Prize winners. Each of them has a unique story to tell. They recall their eureka moments and the challenges they overcame along the way, give advice to inspire future generations and discuss what remains to be discovered. Engaging and thought-provoking, Nobel Life provides an insight into life behind the Nobel Prize winners. A call from Stockholm turned a group of twenty-four academics into Nobel Prize winners. This is their call to the next generations worldwide.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

5 of 5 stars

Share
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Nobel Life is a collection of essays and interviews with 24 Nobel Laureates and includes short biographies, advice and observations. Due out 29th July 2021 from Cambridge University Press, it's 230 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats (ebook available now).

I certainly understand that there's a huge gender (and socioeconomic) gap in the awards and selection (and indeed in representation in STEM especially at all levels), but there are only two women listed in these 24 interviews, which I found disappointing. The official statistics (discussed in the book) are around 17:1, so having two female laureates out of 24 interviews could be interpreted as more than fair (I guess). The interviewees are drawn from the worldwide scientific and economic community and from lots of backgrounds.

One thing that struck me in interview after interview was how recently so many things which are rock solid basic biology and physiology (taught and used in undergraduate level courses), and how many apparatus and procedures were discovered. Nearly all of them were things which were discovered, developed, and recognized during my lifetime (and I'm not *that* old).

Many of the questions and interview formats were similar and it was interesting to read both how the laureates answered and the similarities (and differences) in their answers when faced with the same questions.

This would make a superlative choice for library acquisition, as well as for readers who enjoy science writing and biography. Although the interviews are mostly drawn from scientists who received the Nobel for contributions in chemistry, physiology & medicine, physics and so forth, it's not necessary to have a scientific background or knowledge to read and enjoy the interviews.

Five stars. Well written and interesting with insights into a world most of us will never experience.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 16 July, 2021: Finished reading
  • 16 July, 2021: Reviewed