School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-Another wonderful addition to the series, detailing common knowledge and little-known facts about historical figures. Krull asks the question, "What were these men and women like as human beings-in the laboratory and out of it?" She answers it well, giving a multifaceted picture of 20 scientists' personal lives and professional accomplishments, though more information about some of the lesser-known individuals might have provided a better idea of their work. Readers learn about great discovery and great quirkiness. James D. Watson and Francis Crick figured out the structure of DNA, but apparently Watson was in it just to meet girls. Albert Einstein developed the theory of relativity but described his good friend Marie Curie as "not attractive enough to represent a danger to anyone" when she became enamored of a married man. Edwin Hubble had a passion for the stars but had the obnoxious habit of trying to sound smarter than his guests by wowing them with obscure information he looked up in an encyclopedia before parties. A strong point of this volume is the inclusion of some important women (Barbara McClintock and Grace Murray Hopper, for example) who aren't often mentioned in biographies of this type. The oil paint illustrations are whimsical and fun and break up the text, making the amount of information more manageable. This estimable introduction to a variety of scientists will also appeal to fans of irreverent history who aren't quite ready for Georgia Bragg's macabre How They Croaked (Walker, 2011).-Trina Bolfing, Westbank Libraries, Austin, TX (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Eighteen short, lively chapters (ranging from two to five pages) introduce twenty influential scientists of the modern era (Watson and Crick, as well as the Herschel siblings, share an entry). Krull emphasizes memorable, and often humorously idiosyncratic, character traits. In addition, she points out historical and societal barriers that so many of the scientists, particularly the women, faced. Often, scientific explanations take a back seat, although the descriptions of Zhang Hengs seismograph and even Einsteins theory of relativity are clear and concise. In such a short volume, the difficulty arises in imparting, to an unsophisticated audience, how a scientists work fits into a particular discipline. For example, Pavlovs chapter lucidly shows his conditioned reflex experiments with dogs but tells readers only that the concept became crucial to the study of human psychology. As in previous Lives Of volumes, Hewitt provides a big-headed but pristine, almost airbrushed, portrait of each subject. Details about the scientists work receive whimsical spot art (such as a lineup of dogs beside a Rabies vaccines here sign in the Louis Pasteur chapter). Eleven sections are appended with Extra Credit, providing additional facts about the subjects. Further readings heavily favor adult sources, and there is no documentation. betty carter (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Krull profiles 20 scientists--warning away at the outset anyone interested in the actual details of their discoveries because here, she's all about dishing on their lives and egos instead. Though in other works she focuses on scientific achievements, here Krull caters to readers less interested in Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect than that he had an affair with his cousin or in Newton's laws of physics than his practice, as warden of the Royal Mint, of attending the hangings of convicted counterfeiters. The author presents a series of quick biographical sketches, most capped with "Extra Credit" comments about each subject's enduring legacy--or, in the case of Einstein's brain and Galileo's fingers, errant body parts. Though all but two are dead (and the exceptions, Jane Goodall and James D. Watson, are no spring chickens), her choices for inclusion are reasonably diverse. Ibn Sina, George Washington Carver, and one ancient and one modern scientist of Asian descent expand the Eurocentric roster of usual suspects. Also, six women claim unique or shared entries, and several influential others, such as astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt, earn mentions. Hewitt adds typically funny, bigheaded but recognizable caricature portraits and iconic interior vignettes to lighten the informational load further. Mightily entertaining and if unlikely to broaden a young reader's knowledge of the history of science, certain to humanize it. (reading list, no source notes or index) (Collective biography. 9-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
This latest in the Lives of . . . series is summed up by the subtitle's What the Neighbors Thought. The authors delve into intriguing, obscure, and peculiar facts about 20 famous scientists from all fields of study, regions of the globe, and eras of history. Even with the brevity of each biography, the authors manage to paint an honest and multidimensional portrait of each individual. The real people behind infamous discoveries include one who could write while at a full gallop on horseback, some who were arrested for not wavering from their beliefs, others who were born to slaves and peasants, and several who were disliked by their teachers. Women are well represented, including Grace Murray Hopper, named the first Computer Science Man of the Year. As in each edition of the series, Hewitt's highly caricaturized illustrations enhance the engaging narratives. This collective biography is perfectly suited to thematic research as well as to reading for pleasure.--Anderson, Erin Copyright 2010 Booklist
