Her Space, Her Time: How Trailblazing Women Scientists Decoded the Hidden Universe

by Shohini Ghose

An exciting new title in the vein of Hidden Figures , which tells the inspiring stories of long-overlooked women physicists and astronomers who discovered the fundamental rules of the universe and reshaped the rules of society.

Women physicists and astronomers from around the world have transformed science and society, but the critical roles they played in their fields are not always well-sung. Her Space, Her Time , authored by award-winning quantum physicist Shohini Ghose, brings together the stories of these remarkable women to celebrate their indelible scientific contributions. 

In each chapter of the book , Ghose explores a scientific topic and explains how the women featured in that chapter revolutionized that area of physics and astronomy. In doing so, she also addresses particular aspects of women’s experiences in physics and in the chapter on time, for instance, we learn of Henrietta Leavitt and Margaret Burbidge, who helped discover the big bang and the cosmic calendar; in the chapter on space exploration, we learn of Anigaduwagi (Cherokee) aerospace scientist Mary Golda Ross, who helped make the Moon landings possible; and in the chapter on subatomic particles, we learn of Marietta Blau, Hertha Wambacher, and Bibha Chowdhuri, who contributed to the discovery of the building blocks of the universe, and, in doing so, played a crucial role in determining who gets to do physics today.

Engaging, accessible, and timely, Her Space, Her Time is a collective story of scientific innovation, inspirational leadership, and overcoming invisibility that will leave a lasting impression on any reader curious about the rule-breakers and trendsetters who illuminated our understanding of the universe.

Some of the featured women scientists in the book

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, History, Physics, Feminism, Audiobook, Womens

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2023

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The strongest parts of the book are Dr. Ghose’s anecdotes and personal stories, the great biographies, and the outstanding explanations of the science, some through the use of brilliant analogies. The book is written in a conversational, heartfelt tone, which made the book a pleasure to read. The photos are also excellent. I think the book provided an excellent look at the obstacles women in science faced and continue to face, and this is where Dr. Ghose’s personal stories bring the message home. Overall, the book is a great read and I recommend it for everyone interested in the history of science. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the digital review copy.

[Brian Clegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a good number of books out now celebrating female scientists - in Her Space, Her Time, Shohini Ghose, a physics professor at Wilfred Laurier University in Ontario, takes in a range of astronomy and astrophysics-related areas covering major contributions made by women since Victorian times.

Once upon a time, the only name in here that would probably have rung a bell is Marie Curie. To be honest, this is probably still true for most of the public (though, to be fair, they would equally be hard pressed to name male physicists other than Newton and Einstein). However, thanks to the seismic shift in recent years, if you read popular science, you will also be familiar with the likes of Annie Jump Cannon, Cecelia Payne-Gaposchkin, Henrietta Leavitt and Lise Meitner at the very least.

What's good about Ghose's book is that it also brings in a range of others who are less well known from Anna Draper to Wu Chien-Shiung. Each of those mentioned has made a significant contribution and Ghose gives us a good summary of their work in an approachable fashion. There are some excellent, rarely-told stories here.

My only problem with books like this - and, to be honest, any that move away from a handful of leading names and try to dig down into the broader contributions of scientists, is that it can become simply too large a cast to handle. I know scientific endeavours since the 1930s have tended to be undertaken by quite large groups, but the reality is that as readers we need a relatively small number of scientists to focus on: otherwise it's hard to get any feel for any individual's story.

Ghose achieves a reasonable balance in this respect, but having a theme like does mean there are a couple of dozen names to get your head around, rather than looking at one major piece of science, or focusing on the life of a small number of scientists. Even so, it is definitely one of the better titles to take this kind of wide-ranging overview.

[Rhianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read will have me forever questioning who really discovered/invented anything going forward. Behind many men'snames is a woman's who discovered it first.
If I grew up in a world without gender norms all around me, I like to think I would be an astronomer by now.

[MCWaybrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very inspiring and opens up to many women in science specifically in physics that have been discarded and ignored. This book reminds me that as much as gender sometimes stops you have having the same achievements as other genders, that doesn’t mean you should stop what you are doing. Forging a path does make it easier for the next person to be regarded.

[Summer Hoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made a number of invisible women in science visible, and I feel as though my historical knowledge of these major contributors is at least a little more complete. The strength of the women in this book is impressive, given that they were rarely given the credit for their work that they truly deserved.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Dr Ghose, for introducing readers to the many women who moved our understanding of the universe forward. This book was well written, personal and incredibly entertaining and informative at the same time.

[Hadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of very interesting history, and the author obviously knows what she’s talking about with the scientific passages. It does jump around in time a lot, mostly needlessly.

[Debabrata Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Her Space, Her Time
Author: Shohini Ghose
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

In her magnum opus, "Her Space, Her Time" acclaimed quantum physicist Shohini Ghose meticulously unveils the hitherto obscured narratives of pioneering women whose contributions to physics and astronomy have indelibly shaped our understanding of the cosmos. Her narrative structure, wherein each chapter elucidates a scientific domain alongside the formidable women who revolutionized it, is a stroke of literary genius that not only educates but also inspires.

Her exploration of the chapter on time reveals the invaluable contributions of Henrietta Leavitt and Margaret Burbidge, whose seminal work in unveiling the mysteries of the big bang and formulating the cosmic calendar shattered preconceived notions and laid the groundwork for contemporary cosmology. Through meticulous research and eloquent prose, she illuminates the pivotal role played by these women in redefining our perception of temporality and cosmic evolution.

The chapter dedicated to space exploration unveils the extraordinary achievements of Mary Golda Ross, an Anigaduwagi aerospace scientist whose visionary contributions were instrumental in facilitating the historic Moon landings. Her portrayal of Ross not only celebrates her scientific acumen but also highlights the intersectionality of her identity as a Cherokee woman in a predominantly male-dominated field, thus underscoring the importance of diverse perspectives in scientific innovation.

One of the most commendable aspects of her narrative is its accessibility and timeliness. By weaving together the stories of these remarkable women, she not only celebrates their scientific achievements but also sheds light on the systemic barriers and prejudices they encountered, thus prompting critical reflection on the ongoing struggle for gender equity in the sciences.

In conclusion, it is a seminal work that illuminates the untold stories of women who defied convention and reshaped our understanding of the universe. Her masterful storytelling and rigorous scholarship make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the history of science, gender studies, or the quest for knowledge.

[Dan Trefethen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a woman from India who is a physicist, and she writes about women scientists in physics, astronomy and mathematics whose contributions have been hidden, suppressed, or otherwise undervalued. The stories are both inspiring in showing the passion for science and persistence is a face of resistance, and infuriating for the same reasons. The same things keep happening over and over, in a way that shows the structured and formal suppression of women's contributions to science.

Time and again, it was often a single man who championed a woman's talent that gave her the opportunity to do important work. It shouldn't have come down to this, and its depressing to imagine how many women never found that champion, that one person who would give them a vital break.

What is most distressing is the marriage penalty. While there were many colleges (mostly women's colleges) who had degrees in science, the women who attained those degrees were forbidden from working once they married. It makes you wonder what the women's colleges were training them for if they knew they'd most likely have to leave their professions – perhaps teaching at the elementary or high school level. A number of the women in this book simply didn't marry. Others were able to get access to lab equipment informally, without being paid or accepting a formal role.

I'm making this sound like it's a depressing book, and it's really not. It's more inspiring than anything, and shows that while we still have gender problems in science, we've come very far indeed. I wouldn't hesitate to hand this book to a teenage girl who's interested in STEM subjects. It will open their eyes to how difficult it was for their foremothers to work in these fields, and perhaps give them assurance that now there is a place for them. The book presumes no prior knowledge about the topics and gives generous explanations of each woman's work, so that while it's not targeted to a teen audience, it would certainly be appropriate to one.

[Patrick Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Space, Her Time

- I loved this book, it’s some of my favorite things; science, women, diversity
- It is astonishing the sexism that people have. That is what acceptable to pay women less, to not accept women into schools, to make women decide between their career and marriage. It baffles me how the world works
- So many women overlooked, under appreciated, plagiarized, not given credit, and pushed out of academia. This is only a sample of the many women that have changed the world of science
- This book mainly focused on physics and astronomy. Particularly in the ground breaking years of 1870-1970
- I like these books where you get a sample of many different characters. I get a mini biography of dozens of women
- I was annoyed at how often they spoke of the women getting married. It’s part of their story, often times an impediment. I care about who they are, not their marriage. There were many couples that were both scientists, working as a team or in adjunct fields
- This book highlighted minority men. Men that supported and stood up for the women and the men that did not. Often the men that were key collaborators did not advocate for the women when the women were overlooked. The men would get the Nobel but the women would not, the men would not acknowledge them in their acceptance speeches. The men would not demand higher wages for their female colleagues. There were too few men doing not enough to support the women whose work they were getting credit for. The book is not men bashing, it’s just telling the story
- I loved this book and think everyone should read it

[Eduardo Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infuriating. Also humbling and inspiring and powerfully moving. Ghose profiles twenty(ish) twentieth-century(ish) women who made astonishing groundbreaking discoveries despite relentless—and senseless—obstacles at every level. Some of the women we all know: Henrietta Leavitt, Vera Rubin, Lise Meitner. Most of the rest were unknown to me, and that's tragic because without their work and especially their insights we would be decades behind in astronomy, physics, and chemistry. (The obvious next question is too depressing to contemplate: how much farther would we be today if countless women hadn't been stifled? Weren't still being stifled?)

The writing is often simple, perhaps in hopes of attracting middle schoolers? (I'd be in favor of gifting this to a middle or high schooler, though I doubt they'd read it.) Reading level notwithstanding, the content shines. Ghose beautifully illustrates these women's lives and work; their challenges, their grit, and their impact. She complements many chapters with parallels from her experiences as a physicist and educator: things are better today, but not yet better enough. Her passion for learning is palpable and inspiring.

[Michael Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book. It is one of the few books which gives proper credit to the unsung female giants of science who were overlooked or suppressed because of prevailing prejudice against females.
The author herself is an accomplished physicist. Her accounts of the female protagonists in this odyssey are accurate and reliable, written by an authority. The writing is clear, unambiguous and fluid. She has explained complicated concepts in a manner easy to understand. Her analogies are testimony to her art as a teacher as well as scholar. There is genuine excitement in her telling of each story and a passion which drives the book. There is a fabulous record at the end of the book of key papers which have illuminated the rich history of key scientific discoveries. Then she has added a few choice archival photos which bring further life and veracity to this elegantly described story.
This is a book for lay people as well as scientists, unencumbered with abstruse scientific formulae, but at the same time the content is as solid and accurate as it is fun to read.

[ΛNNΞ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Groundbreaking! A truly remarkable account of a history that is profoundly important to the story of humanity. This is not only an engaging and fascinating read -- it is also poignant and moving in ways that I did not expect from a book about physics and history. I loved every minute of this powerful and exquisitely written book. I found myself gazing at the stars and dreaming of the women depicted in this book and all the passion and unwavering dedication that they had for these tiny pinpricks of light. This book will change the way you see the stars, understand the universe, and what it means to study science. It captures an important part of history and stories that enrich our understanding of how we came to be where we are today. An emotional and beautiful account a constellation of women that deserve to be remembered and celebrated for all their contributions to our understanding of the world. I am grateful this book exists.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely written by a scientist: very factual without really bringing the people in the stories to life - a bit mired down in the science itself with somewhat staccato transitions between the highlighted individuals. However, as a result, a very informative book that is simultaneously maddening; all the groundbreaking work by female scientists that is repeatedly plagiarized or taken credit for by male contemporaries - often their collaborators. You recognize the names of their male contemporaries because of this as many have well-known buildings and projects now named after them. Meanwhile, the women who discovered super chill things like NUCLEAR FISSION are relatively unknown and uncelebrated. Or, worse yet, were told they could no longer conduct research at a university once they got married, setting back scientific advancement by years. So, I guess the book served its purpose, and my feminine rage was appropriately activated.

[Ron Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone with an interest in science, especially physics and astronomy, should read this book. But it should be made mandatory reading for all students in these fields of study.

This book gives you the stories and accomplishments (unrecognized and unrewarded) of notable, yet invisible, women scientists. They were underpaid or unpaid, or had their work published under the names of the men they worked with. For many years, women in these fields could not be granted degrees even if they had done all their course work and could not be given official appointments in universities and laboratories.

This book shows that the current story of physics and astronomy is incomplete. It also shows how many women in these fields became activists, leaders, and policymakers in order to change the system, and above all, it demonstrates that what needs to be fixed is the system, not the women.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a line in the acknowledgements of this book that wraps the whole concept of the book in a pretty bow and is something to remember:

"science without social justice [is] not worth aspiring to"

I absolutely loved reading the stories in this book. Ghose has a beautiful writing style that tells a story but also tells the physics in a way that non-physicists can digest. Each of the chapters was a snapshot into history of women's whose discoveries were almost invisible to the scientific community, and yet shaped so much of our understandings of the universe. The sheer number of Nobel snubs in this books was frustrating (the only woman who won one... I mean two 😉... in there was Marie Curie), especially when the women's collaborators were the ones that won....

Just another confirmation that women write better science non-fiction.

[Hypatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very well written, and very interesting. It also made me so angry at times. I learned a lot about some of the women I’d already heard of, but I also learned about a lot of women I’d never heard of before. And some of them are in my field, so I really should be aware of their contributions! The consistent pattern of ignoring or downplaying the contributions of women over the last 150 years is really stark when laid out this way.
There’s definitely inspiration to be had as well though - after all, these women stuck with it and made amazing contributions despite the obstacles.

[Dinah Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a STEM enthusiast, particularly a woman, this book is a must-read. I absolutely adore this book for introducing me to all the amazing women in physics over the past two centuries. These women were often invisible, and it's incredible to learn how they've contributed to and impacted our world. This book not only enlightened me about the wonderful women's contributions, but it also reminded me of my passion for physics and quantum computing. I found it fascinating in university, and reading this book helped me remember that. I highly recommend it!

[Leslie Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not surprised by the sexist sins described in this book, but it still makes my blood boil. On the other hand, I am really happy to know of the wonderful achievements of women in physics. This book gives you good ammunition for those who question women's achievements because they have not been given the big awards as often as men.

[Enid Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be required reading for every ‘girl’ who has an interest in science.

I would have loved to have been in one of these lectures - to hear these stories told first hand by the author.

3.5 rounded up to 4

[Paul Vogelzang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

read for work, posting full review later

[Safiya Rizwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

[Zaaccckkkkkk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell ya this rocks! Makes you mad and inspired all at the same time. I love physics a lot.

[Mindy Casto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great perspective on how women have shaped science.

[Liam Prato]

"Accessible" = written like the SAT English section. So much better women in science lit out there. Read Prescod-Weinstein instead and save yourself the twenty minutes it takes to read this

[YarnCatsNBooks]

Interesting topic, just couldn't get into it. Maybe try it again some other time.

[Tatjana Miletic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the book, learned some new to me history!
Page 72., an error, the author states that pre WWII Germany borders Turkey?!

[Nicole Reddig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digestible, informative, and inspiring! I loved learning about these women and their triumphs and tribulations. So glad to know more about the invisible matter :)

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5