Here we have 23 short accounts, of four to eight pages each, of women scientists. In time, they range from Cornelia Clapp, born 1849, to Mary Good, born 1931. Their fields of interest cover biology, medicine, computer science, physics and chemistry. Some have been teachers, some medical doctors, some research workers, and some industrialists. Some names like Barbara McClintock, the geneticist and Rachel Carson, the environmental campaigner are well‐known. Several were unknown to me, but I could come up with a number of British women scientists who would not be well known in the USA.
The author is a retired biochemist who has produced several other books on the contribution of women to American culture. Her scientific background shows in the clear, factual and unhyped way she describes these women. The layout of each account is similar and reading more than two or three at a go can feel a bit heavy. But it is certainly a book to dip into. Public and school libraries would find it a useful addition to stock. Boys as well as girls should be encouraged to read it. Science is fun, and can lead to a rewarding and interesting career. The book is also a useful contribution to the history of science. My only reservation is the price, which might deter libraries with limited budgets. I guess it will sell more in the USA than the UK.
