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This book is extremely well-written. I admired the parts where Dr. Jahren could communicate difficult scientific concepts to a lay audience, especially the ways she used analogies and metaphors to paint a vivid picture. The journey of an academic scientist is long and arduous, and different for each person, so I'm glad that at least one person's story is out there for all to read.
However the thing I didn't like about this book was the ways in which toxic stereotypes about academia and research were upheld. I understand that this is Dr. Jahren's own journey but really wanted to clarify that not all professors or researchers in academia work such long hours and whole heartedly devote (or even sacrifice) themselves to their work. There are some parts of the writing which suggests that scientists who have a work/life balance produce mediocre work or do not live up to their potential. Scientists, like all humans, need breaks and ways to clear their mind before diving back into solving problems, and many times it is unproductive to keep attacking a problem when one is frustrated, exhausted, and sleep-deprived.
However the thing I didn't like about this book was the ways in which toxic stereotypes about academia and research were upheld. I understand that this is Dr. Jahren's own journey but really wanted to clarify that not all professors or researchers in academia work such long hours and whole heartedly devote (or even sacrifice) themselves to their work. There are some parts of the writing which suggests that scientists who have a work/life balance produce mediocre work or do not live up to their potential. Scientists, like all humans, need breaks and ways to clear their mind before diving back into solving problems, and many times it is unproductive to keep attacking a problem when one is frustrated, exhausted, and sleep-deprived.