Press Release

Press Release

Description

While much has been written about barriers to women in science, very little work celebrates the wisdom and insights of the women who have risen to the top of their chosen scientific profession. In this remarkable book, the author gathers the personal stories of the select few women scientists who have achieved the honor of election to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences.

Including several Nobel laureates, the group is elite--yet their career profiles and personal interviews have much to say to everyone struggling to overcome obstacles. From their passionate love of research to their struggle to balance the demands of home and career, these women share a great deal. At the same time, these intimate portraits offer widely different insights about how being female has affected their careers.

In these chapters, readers will discover the importance of such factors as persistence, good mentoring, talent, and plain luck. Often, there is a critical moment at which, but for a serendipitous event, even these dedicated women could easily have been diverted from their career paths. The Door in the Dream offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of these inspiring women, providing readers the opportunity to benefit from their personal insights and anecdotes.

In an informal and engaging manner, the author provides a fascinating window into the changing status and representation of women in science in the 20th century. Among the eminent women interviewed:

• Mary Ellen Avery
  
• May R. Berenbaum
  
• Mary K. Gaillard
  
• Margaret Kidwell
  
• Judith P. Klinman
  
• Nancy Kopell
  
• Marian Koshland
  
• Jane Lubchenco
  
• Pamela Matson
  
• Cathleen Morawetz
  
• Myriam Sarachik
  
• Joan Steitz
  
• Susan Taylor
  

This book will be helpful to anyone concerned about women: educators, employers, university administrators, career counselors, scholarship funders, scientific professional groups, established women scientists, and--perhaps most important --young women aspiring to a science career, their parents, and their advisors.

Reviews

"Every one of the stories has something to inform or inspire the reader."
-- History of Physics Newsletter, Fall 2004

"...an intimate look at a group of elite women, written in an easy conversational tone."
-- Women's Interchange at SLAC (Stanford), 2001

"...accessible, readable and intriguing."
-- Dallas Morning News, September 2000

"...a worthwhile read for young girls considering a career in science. It also makes a significant contribution to attempts to document the history of women in science."
-- Candian Bulletin of Medical History, 2002

"A Whopping Good Read. ... this book is required reading for all who are interested in the future of women in the sciences. We have a treasury of primary source material in these personal reflections and interviews; we have examinations and summaries of the data collected; we have an ample bibliography for further reading. And we also have a whopping good read!"
-- Chemical Heritage, Fall 2002

"This is an intimate and unique glimpse into the lives of successful women scientists."
-- Chemical & Engineering News, July 2000

"Though the group is unquestionably elite, the personal stories have much to say to everyone struggling to overcome obstacles. The intimate portraits offer widely different insights about how being female affected their careers, and open a fascinating window into the changing status and representation of women in science in the twentieth century."
-- Yale Law Report, Summer 2001

"We feminists should see too that the book be widely read and discussed".
-- The Waterfall-Connecticut NOW News, June 2000

"The Door in the Dream would make a terrific gift for a young woman in science--or for her parents or teachers. But selfishly, I suggest it equally enthusiastically for those of us, women and men, already immersed in this world, for the pleasure of learning about the creativity, tenacity, and "true grit" of some of our colleagues whome we most admire".
-- Nature Medicine, 2000

"The book is conversational in tone, descriptive rather than theoretical...Young women will find it helpful and informative about the lives of contemporary women in science."
-- Choice, December 2000

"Wasserman lets her data speak for her, writing evenhandedly and with restraint. ...This is a quiet book; its careful avoidance of appeals to emotion makes it powerful. ... For the nonscientist, this is both a useful book for thinking about the shape of scientific careers and an elegant demonstration of an ingenious research strategy; for the scientist, it also suggests a new awareness of effective collegiality. For the citizen, it is an enlightening look at the genuine progress that can be achieved through social legislation."
-- American Scientist

"The 26 narrative profiles included in the book provide interesting insights in the careers and lives of the scientists. ... The interviews are intriguing and exciting to read. ... I really enjoyed this book, both the profiles of the scientists and the insightful discussion of many issues important to women in science. The book contains a good mix of individual stories and discussions, as well as an interesting historical perspective. A definite strength of this book is that it provides the reader with references to research and statistics on the subject, so that one can take off and learn about certain issues in a more quantitative way. ... I think this book is a great and inspiring read for everyone."
-- CSWP Gazette, Spring 2001

"What distinguishes [The Door in the Dream] from others that address [the topic of women in science] is its overall optimism, especially its lack of bombast and whining. ... Wasserman has let the women in her book speak from their hearts, with little editorial comment on her part. This was a wise move, because the stories ring true. And they are interesting reading. ... This book should be required reading for all students majoring in science but especially young women aspiring to a science career, their parents, their teachers, and their guidance counselors. From The Door in the Dream, readers will gain fresh perspective and insights into the complex issues confronting contemporary women scientists and other professionals."
-- Chemical and Engineering News, May 14, 2001

"...a fascinating book..."
-- Spectra Science, No. 23, 2000

Author Biography

Elga Wasserman earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Harvard University in 1949 and a J.D. from Yale Law School in 1976. An experienced professional in science, law, and university administration, she provides an in-depth understanding of the everyday issues confronting women in male-dominated fields.

Authoring Organizations

• Joseph Henry Press (JHP)
• More Titles from JHP

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