A review by ashlightgrayson
The Madame Curie Complex: The Hidden History of Women in Science by Julie Des Jardins

challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This was a delight to read. The author really did their research. The book mostly focuses on the contributions various women have made to different scientific fields. It also goes into the history of how some scientific branches were more open to accepting women than others. There are handpicked detailed accounts of particular women in scientific history. One of my favorites was Lillian Moller Gilbreth. I had completely forgotten that the 2003 film Cheaper by the Dozen is actually a very loose adaptation of the book. The efficiency that Gilbreth implemented into her home life was used as a template for management in the work place. I imagine with 12 children it was more of a survival skill set at that point. 

The book explores other amazing women like Rosalind Franklin and Marie Curie. There are minute details that are usually overlooked about these women's lives that the book explores. I was happy to learn how some of them had supportive husbands/romantic partners in their endeavors. Despite that support, they still endured many instances of gender discrimination, product of their time and incorrect prejudices about women in general. For anyone that is looking for an introduction to the contributions of women in science, this is a fabulous place to start. It is easy to read, entertaining, and very well cited.
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