Luminous Fish: Tales of Science and Love

by Lynn Margulis

This collection of linked stories by internationally renowned evolutionist Lynn Margulis reveals science from the inside--its thrills, disappointments, and triumphs. A largely fictional account, it draws on her decades of experience to portray the poor judgment, exhaustion, and life-threatening dedication of real scientists--their emotional preoccupations, sexual distractions, and passions for research. The esoteric, demanding, sometimes exhilarating world of science emerges from the shadows of its passive narrative into the sunlight of the personal voice of those who attempt to wrench secrets directly from nature. All of us who struggle to balance family, professional, and social commitments with intellectual quest will be intrigued by the humanity of these tales.

Genres: Science, Biology, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2007

About the author

Lynn Margulis (1938-2011) was a Professor of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences.

Reviews

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scientists have interesting personal lives, similar in many ways to humanities personnel. L.M. is a professor in the Department of Geosciences, famous for her Gaia theory. She reports on a visit to J R Oppenheimer in Princeton, which is rather interesting, showing him to be rather lonesome.

[Kellaura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't bother to finish it.