Sisters in Science

De: Olivia Campbell

Narrado por: Cassandra Campbell

The extraordinary true story of four women pioneers in physics during World War II and their daring escape out of Nazi Germany

In the 1930s, Germany was a hotbed of scientific thought. But after the Nazis took power, Jewish and female citizens were forced out of their academic positions. Hedwig Kohn, Lise Meitner, Hertha Sponer and Hildegard Stücklen were eminent in their fields, but they had no choice but to flee due to their Jewish ancestry or anti-Nazi sentiments.

Their harrowing journey out of Germany became a life-and-death situation that required Herculean efforts of friends and other prominent scientists. Lise fled to Sweden, where she made a groundbreaking discovery in nuclear physics, and the others fled to the United States, where they brought advanced physics to American universities. No matter their destination, each woman revolutionized the field of physics when all odds were stacked against them, galvanizing young women to do the same.

Well researched and written with cinematic prose, Sisters in Science brings these trailblazing women to life and shows us how sisterhood and scientific curiosity can transcend borders and persist—flourish, even—in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Excellent

Excellent work. Should be read by all in women’s history classes. Also by all 20th century history students and everyone interested in WWI and WWII.

Technical brilliance and personal resilience - a story worth the climb

I went into this book, knowing it focused on the world of physics, but I’ll admit the beginning was a bit of a hurdle. The initial chapters are very heavy on scientific terminology to the point where I felt like I needed a degree in the field just to keep my head above water

However, once I move past the jar in the stories of these women’s lives can completely enraptured me their personal journeys in the challenge, they faced are deeply compelling and beautifully told, reflecting on it. Now, I suspect the dense scientific detail was intentional. It serves as necessary foundation to ensure these women finally receive the full rigorous credit they were denied for so many years it’s a powerful testament to their brilliance and resistance.

Highly recommend for anyone who loves a deep dive into hidden history, though you should be prepared to power through the technical start!

WOW! I need to read this again!

Whether you are a Jew, a woman, or both, there is so much to learn from Campbell's research on the nazi treatment to both groups. She has infused so much historical information into this work that I know I have missed--I can definitely benefit from reading it again. Having friends who have lists of books that are reread every 10 years, I'm starting my own personal list and Sisters in Science is at the top.

The history

Just a bit long but made clear that women have struggled for a long time and how early the Nazi movement began.

This was History

The book was excellently researched. It felt as accurate as the scientific studies her subjects were conducting. The history of the time of WWII was just as well researched as the lives of the 4 women she was writing about. I learned much from this book. I believe it was so accurate any researcher of science, WWII or women’s equality and the plight of refugees, could benefit from using it as a resource, for their paper or a speech.
The difference in distance and time it took to communicate was stark against out immediate flash of the computer age. The stubbornness of belief or unbelief in an unbearable situation has remained.