Vivid quotations from those who knew Marie Curie as well as a "points to ponder" section in each chapter are designed to provoke further discussion and research into the life and career of one of the century's greatest scientists and-as Rollyson shows-one of the most important figures in human history.
At a time when the ethics of science and of scientists has been called into question, Rollyson's searching examination of Madame Curie's methods and morality makes this a sharply focused and challenging biography.
The Marie Curie that emerges from this account is a woman of great integrity and self-discipline, acutely conscious of her historic role, keenly devoted to protecting her private life, and yet willing to shape her personality to the public roles demanded of her.
Carl Rollyson has published seven biographies, including three iUniverse titles: Lillian Hellman: Her Legend and Her Legacy, The Lives of Norman Mailer, and Rebecca West: A Saga of the Century. Pablo Picasso, a children?s biography, appeared in 1992. He teaches at Baruch College, The City University of New York.