Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by R. Ignotofsky

Abstract

Ignotofsky, Rachel. Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World. 10 Speed Press, 2016.“It’s a Scientific Fact: Women rock!” This is the statement on the back cover of Rachel Ignotofsky’s fabulous book about women in science. This illustrated hardcover book surveys 50 women scientists’ achievements and biographies in bold style. The book includes women scientists ranging from agriculture, mathematics, chemistry, geology all the way to particle physics and astronomy. Each scientist has been allotted a two-page spread with a full-page biography, that is illustrated with bright and colourful drawings relevant to their discoveries and areas of research. Dispersed between the biographies are info-graphic sections that showcase scientific implements, a glossary, and even statistics about women in STEM.I was immediately drawn to this book by the colourful illustrations (also drawn by Ignotofsky) on both the cover and interlaced throughout the glossy pages of this book. The biographies strike an excellent balance between detail and brevity. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the many women scientists I had never learned about before, like Hypatia, a mathematician who lived in Alexandria, Egypt in 350 CE, Emmy Noether who worked for Einstein’s team on the theory of relativity, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin who discovered the sun was comprised of Hydrogen and Helium and Rosalind Franklin who discovered the DNA double helix. This book left me with an overwhelming sense of the remarkable discoveries by women in science.Women in Science can be enjoyed all ages of readers, including adults. Older readers will enjoy the facts and information within the biographies, while younger readers can read the many illustrations. This book would be especially great to share with young girls, to inspire curiosity and interest in the sciences, and to show that they can follow in the footsteps of many great women scientists. Highly recommended.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Hanne PearceHanne Pearce has worked at the University of Alberta Libraries since 2004. She holds a BA and MLIS and is currently working towards her Master of Arts in Communications and Technology. Her research interests include: visual communication, digital literacy, information literacy and the intersections between communication work and information work. She is also a freelance photographer and graphic designer.