[E]xcellent short biography of Marie Curie... [A] poignant-and scientifically lucid-portrait. The New York Times [N]ever a dull moment in this true tale, and Goldsmith's nostalgic yet matter-of-fact writing style blends well with her fascinating subject... Goldsmith leads the reader through a wonderland of facts with just the right blend of science and story. In the end, the mystery of the madame remains, but a deeper understanding of what she went through as a woman and a scientist shines as strong as her radium. The San Francisco Chronicle [S]uccinct and well-told biography... If Ms. Goldsmith has demystified aspects of Marie Curie's life and work, she has also created a figure that seems an ever more towering force not merely in the history of science but in the annals of biography itself. The New York Sun Opens the door on Curie as she opened the door on atomic science. Kirkus Reviews Goldsmith offers a well-rounded view of her subject that makes good dramatic use of the considerable intrigue that surrounded Curie's scientific accomplishments and her private life. Publisher's Weekly In this fascinating life of Madame Curie, Barbara Goldsmith powerfully conveys both the magic of science and the struggle of being a woman in a man's universe. -- Walter Isaacson Director - Aspen Institute for Physics An uncommonly heartfelt and empathic profile of a scientific hero. -- Timothy Ferris History has treated Marie Curie as a mysterious genius, as if she sprang full-blown from the head of Zeus-or perhaps her husband. Barbara Goldsmith gives us a flesh-and-blood woman whose life and work will inspire our own. Marie Curie was the brilliant discoverer of radium and the radioactivity crucial to modern science. Barbara Goldsmith is the brilliant discoverer of Marie Curie. -- Gloria Steinem Great lives in science are all about passion and curiosity. Marie Curie, the Polish-born discoverer of radium, had both in grand measure. But down the road she helped open-up nuclear energy, which meant atomic bombs, and put Curie center stage during one of the great turning points in scientific history. Barbara Goldsmith has uniquely captured the woman and her science. -- Thomas Powers, author of Heisenberg's War Obsessive Genius vividly portrays the powerful personal story of privation, sacrifice, triumph, and reward of one of the greatest scientists of the Twentieth Century, Marie Curie. It is a fast-paced exciting tale of scientific adventure which I read in one sitting. Barbara Goldsmith makes an important addition to her growing body of work on the life and accomplishments of women who have shaped our history and our lives. -- Dr. William Haseltine CEO Human Genome Sciences, Inc. This short and highly readable biography of Marie Curie... tells an inspiring if often sad story, and tells it well: it's the old, old story of triumph over adversity. The Sunday Telegraph 'The tale of how she married [Pierre Curie's] technical expertise to her own dexterity and persistence to discover radioactivity is thrillingly told here.' The Guardian 'This wonderful book examines the scientific dynasty from both personal and professional angles.' Ham & High (4/02/05) 'This portrait of Marie Curie, the co-discoverer of radium, makes it plain how deep the prejudice against women in science ran.' FOCUS 'The book provides... a thoughtful perspective on the life of one of the most important scientists of the twentieth century... clear and accessible...' NATURE 'Reading this story, one cannot fail to be impressed by Marie Curie, and her daughter and grand-daughter... But the book is also a sad reminder that you can't put a genie back in its bottle.' LANCET