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madjaz217's review against another edition
There's nothing extreme that made me want to stop reading, it just seems like a meandering narrative for a memoir. It's a bunch of vignettes of this scientist's life in the lab, and there's really nothing else going on. I don't see an overarching point that will make this more plot-like. If you want to know what it's like to dedicate your life to lab work, this is a great book to read. I've gotten what I wanted out of it at the 36% mark, and don't see the style or narrative changing enough from here to keep me engaged.
mdevlin923's review against another edition
3.0
Hope Jahren shares her life story and educational/professional journey as a scientist along with botanical and environmental science facts.
trin's review against another edition
3.0
I love Bill. Bill is a more interesting, complicated, weird, and intriguing character than 99% of romance novel heroes. Give me romance novels starring Bill, please.
This should not have been my main takeaway from this book, but it was.
This should not have been my main takeaway from this book, but it was.
mitskacir's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book. Every other chapter recounts an anecdote from Jahren's life, while the other chapters parallel her journey by describing stages in the life cycle of a tree. A very clever conceit that never feels forced and often gave me much deeper insight into her life than only the anecdotal chapters would have provided.
As a woman in science myself, I thought that this book would be inspiring or helpful in my own journey - however, while I loved it, I don't think it was. Jahren's account of a career in science was extremely intimidating, and she often hits rock bottom, sacrificing mental and physical health for her work. She does recount happy events in her life, and certainly conveys her deep love for science. However, as someone who already marvels at the mysteries of the natural world, I was more focused on her portrayal of the bitter gauntlet of a career in academia. I came away from this book in awe of Hope Jahren, and feeling like I don't have the personality or drive to be a successful scientist like her... but I'm still going to try anyway.
As a woman in science myself, I thought that this book would be inspiring or helpful in my own journey - however, while I loved it, I don't think it was. Jahren's account of a career in science was extremely intimidating, and she often hits rock bottom, sacrificing mental and physical health for her work. She does recount happy events in her life, and certainly conveys her deep love for science. However, as someone who already marvels at the mysteries of the natural world, I was more focused on her portrayal of the bitter gauntlet of a career in academia. I came away from this book in awe of Hope Jahren, and feeling like I don't have the personality or drive to be a successful scientist like her... but I'm still going to try anyway.
daumari's review against another edition
5.0
I'd heard some buzz about this, and saw it on the 14 day limit shelf at my local library but didn't get around to it until the day before it was due. I wish I had started earlier though, because much of [a:Hope Jahren|14104736|Hope Jahren|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1441827865p2/14104736.jpg]'s writing is clear, moving, and ever so quotable. Part memoir, part paleobiology facts (from a biochemical perspective), part reflections on what it is to be a female scientist in today's world, this book is easily my favorite so far this year.
Jahren is also unapologetic when describing having mental health issues while trying to be a functional scientist, let alone person, which is something I can really identify with currently. Less identifiable is finishing a PhD in four years then going straight from that to a professor position at age 26...! But I think that speaks more to how academia's landscape has changed in the last twenty years rather than any kind of science precociousness.
Jahren is also unapologetic when describing having mental health issues while trying to be a functional scientist, let alone person, which is something I can really identify with currently. Less identifiable is finishing a PhD in four years then going straight from that to a professor position at age 26...! But I think that speaks more to how academia's landscape has changed in the last twenty years rather than any kind of science precociousness.