In 2005, Larry Summers, former president of Harvard, sparked an outcry when he suggested that women might not be as innately gifted in scientific and mathematical ability as men. Since then, issues related to the lack of women in science and engineering have appeared in the news, but these sound bites tell only part of the story.

Who’s Afraid of Marie Curie? weaves together research and women’s personal stories, presenting both the challenges and triumphs women experience in the sciences. Author Linley Erin Hall has interviewed more than one hundred women, including students of all ages, to uncover what sparked their interest in science, what they’ve experienced in their careers, and, in some cases, why they decided to leave their field. Her findings are that change is happening, but some women are being left behind while others shoot ahead. Written in accessible language rather than scholarly jargon, Who’s Afraid of Marie Curie? explores the complexity behind the sound bites to present a real picture of women in science and technology.