The Grolier Library of Science Biographies, 10 Volumes

Book by Grolier Educational

Grade 9 Up. Featuring 2000 men and women from ancient times to the present, this well-researched work imparts biographical information about renowned scientists such as Nils Bohr, Marie Curie, Sigmund Freud, Jane Goodall, Antoine Lavoisier, and Dmitri Mendeleev. There is marked emphasis on individuals working in the "traditional pure sciences"?chemistry, biology, physics, astronomy, and the Earth sciences?and a solid selection of notables in the fields of engineering and technology. However, coverage of pioneers in medicine, mathematics, anthropology, philosophy, and psychology is more limited. The alphabetically arranged, partial to double-page entries include a serviceable portrait (where available). Dry, uninspired text investigates the subjects' education, training, career milestones, and the content and importance of their contributions. These achievements are explained in technical jargon that requires background knowledge of the topic to comprehend the material. The glossaries do little to elucidate these challenging concepts as scientific terms are also defined in a complex, unapproachable manner. The articles contain constant references to the work and theories of other researchers with whom lay students will not be familiar. Unfortunately, there are no details about the pioneers' inspirations. Each volume contains a solid list for further research and a comprehensive index of the entire set, which groups the scientists by country and field. Peggy Saari and Stephen Allison's Scientists (UXL, 1996) is a meticulously structured, user-friendly tool that showcases 150 lively biographical pieces. Although the scope is not as wide, the world of science is presented in a fashion that is accessible and appealing to general audiences.?Hillary Jan Donitz-Goldstein, New York Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This set gives brief summaries of the professional careers of 2,000 scientists. The biographies represent all areas of science, with emphasis on astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. There is more limited coverage of engineering, mathematics, medicine, and technology. Entrants were chosen on the basis of "major advances in theory" or "influential or well-known discoveries." Although scientists from all time periods are included, most of the biographies are contemporary, since, as the editors state, "of all the scientists who ever lived, the vast majority are still alive."

The set was adapted from a 1993 Institute of Physics work. The editors added 1,500 photographs and quotes by or about the individuals, as well as many new biographies. They revised the text to meet the needs of young adult readers and school science curricula.

Each entry is about a page in length, although some scientists are treated in just a paragraph or two. Entries provide the vital details, then present the "main scientific achievements and the nature and importance of these achievements." Little is said about the personal lives of the subjects. Pronunciations are given where needed, as well as country of origin or ethnic group. Volumes are paged separately, and each has the same preface and pronunciation guide in front and the same glossary and index in back. There are also lists of resources, unique to each volume, providing one or two titles on each scientist. The index includes entries by branch of science (botanists, mathematicians), national or ethnic group (Japanese physicists, black American scientists), and nature of work (entropy, HIV, ocean currents). There is also an index entry for women scientists. A chronological list of scientific discoveries precedes the index in volume 10.

On the whole, this will be welcomed in school and public libraries. There is very little available about scientists written for the young adult level, and many schools are requiring research about scientists. Only two criticisms come to mind. More personal information would be helpful, as it is often required by teachers. And out of 2,000 entries, only 45 are women. There must be more notable female scientists than that, without stretching too deep into obscurity. Why not include zoologist Dian Fossey; or Gertrude Belle Elion, who received the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1988; or Shirley A. Jackson, the first black woman in the U.S. to earn a doctorate in physics?

A similar reference tool is UXL's three-volume Scientists: The Lives and Works of 150 Scientists [RBB Ap 1 97], which treats far fewer people but generally provides more information (as many as seven pages for some entries), including the personal details missing from the Grolier set. The UXL set begins its coverage in 1730, while Grolier extends back to the sixth-century B.C. Given the perennial difficulty of finding suitable information in this area, libraries that serve young adults and can afford the cost of the two sets will probably want to acquire both.

Spanning scientific thought from the first century before Christ to the present day, this encyclopedia covers 2000 individuals?more than any other encycloepdia of science biography. The biographies are short, ranging from three sentences to three pages, with each including personal information plus the scientist's major contributions. Most biographies also contain a photo or illustration, and a glossary and index are offered in each volume. The index includes not only all the scientists' names but also group headings such as "American Astronomers," "Chinese Alchemists," and "Women Scientists." (However, only 44 women are listed, and the terms "African American" and "Native American" do not appear in the index.) Written at junior high and high school reading levels, the set can also be useful for elementary students and adults because it is clear, concise, and comprehensive. While scientific theories are not explained in depth, as in some other adult-level science references, this set is valuable for having so many of the lesser-known, hard-to-find scientists. A welcome addition for most collections.?Laura Lipton, Miller Horticulture Lib., Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.