Synopses & Reviews
"... an asset to multicultural collections in public libraries. Reading the stories of these lives may inspire young people, African Americans and others, to look toward the sciences as a career". -- Booklist
"What is striking is that the social history of the United States is front and center in each of these lives. It makes you want to read each and every essay". -- William Cunningham, University of Maryland Library School Faculty (retired)
"... a must-have for all math and science teachers who continually ask the question, 'How can I incorporate multicultural education into such an objective subject?'" -- The Multicultural Pavilion, Web site of the University of Virginia School of Education
This is the first biographical reference source written for the general reader that brings to light the contributions of 100 outstanding African American scientists. These essays are about research scientists, inventors, engineers, and mathematicians who often had to overcome racial prejudice and other serious obstacles to reach their high level of achievement. Each biographical profile is packed with personal as well as professional information, providing not only the birth date, current status, and basic area of research or accomplishment, but also career highlights and contributions to society outside of individual disciplines.
Review
If you've ever felt the need for an inspiring story about an African American scientist for a student, you should have had this book on your shelf....the biographies show each scientist as a real human with interests and experiences similar to those of students, rather than as someone who was born a renowned scientist and is remote from the world....Students will be inspired by the stories of these scientists in this book that you will certainly want to add to your collection.VOYA
Review
...a one-stop source of information useful for preparing a research paper or obtaining selected kinds of guidance material that might, in providing role models, expand potential occupational horizons.Isis
Review
This book is a must have for all math and science teachers who continually ask the question, "How can I incorporate multicultural education into such an 'objective' subject?" It includes some well-known people such as George Washington Carver, and others who accomplished much with little attention. The book is suitable for children over eleven years old. Language is concise and easy to follow.The Multicultural Pavilion at the University of Virginia
Review
This volume contains biographies of 100 African Americans from all fields of science, medicine, and mathematics, approximately 20 percent of them women. . . . Most of these scientists are currently involved in either research or academe, and students will have difficulty finding information about them elsewhere. . . . This book is written for the middle and high-school user. The vocabulary and writing style are geared more for the younger reader, but the information will satisfy both groups. . . . Middle-school and high-school libraries will find this volume valuable because many of the people covered, such as Dartmouth physics professor H. Ralph Lewis and Bell Labs chemist James Mitchell, will not be found in other school resources. This book will also be an asset to multicultural collections in public libraries. Reading the stories of these lives may inspire young people, African Americans and others, to look toward the sciences as a career.Booklist
Review
The authors of this volume sought to caputure the texture of scientists' lives through illustrations of their formative experiences, higher education, and scientific careers. Since 87 of the 100 scientists profiled are living, the authors were able to use interviews and their personal papers, as well as periodical and book sources, resulting in well-rounded profiles....Students should find inspiration as well as report material in these biographies.School Library Journal
Review
Obviously written for school children, this would be most appropriate for school libraries and children's reference section in public libraries. The stories it tells of these scientists' lives and accomplishments are both informative and inspiring.Reference Book Review
Review
Intended for middle-school level and up, this book is recommended for most library collections.Insights
Review
This book needs to be in all libraries and read by a wide audience - all teachers, all counselors, students, and parents.African Link
Review
It makes information about not just the careers, but also the personal lives, available on many people covered, if at all, only in cursory fashion in other biographical tools. It will be very useful for anyone who poses a variant on the question that a decade ago stumped Scammons at the Library of Congress when students asked for the names of seventy-five black scientists.Rettig on Reference
Synopsis
From George Washington Carver to Dr. Mae Jemison, African Americans have been making outstanding contributions in the field of science. This unique resource goes beyond the headlines in chronicling not just the scientific achievements but also the lives of 100 remarkable men and women. Each biography provides an absorbing account of the scientist's struggles, which often included overcoming prejudice, as they pursued their educational and professional goals.
About the Author
JAMES H. KESSLER is a science teacher.J.S. KIDD is Professor Emeritus, College of Library and Information Services, University of Maryland, College Park.RENEE A. KIDD is a historian and reading specialist.KATHERINE A. MORIN is a high school history teacher at the Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C.
Table of Contents
Preface viiProfiles 1Appendix 1: Chronological List of Scientists 359Appendix 2: Scientists Arranged by Research Area 361Index 363