Brilliant African-American Scientists

* Reviews *

Many of the advancements and breakthroughs that have benefited society resulted from the efforts and contributions that scientists have made. In numerous instances, scientists had to face insurmountable challenges to pursue their work, and the situation was even more difficult for African-Americans who sought to begin and advance their careers in science. This book chronicles the compelling stories of nine African-American scientists who triumphed over barriers and made significant contributions to science and humanity. Each chapter provides a graphic time line of the milestones in each of the scientists' lives and relates details on their early life, education, research, and accomplishments. Several disciplines and science-related careers are highlighted, beginning with accounts of Benjamin Banneker's and George Carruthers's accomplishments in astronomy. Advances in the medical and health fields are represented by the efforts of Charles Drew, Daniel Hale Williams, and Jane Cooke Wright and include Williams's completion of the first recorded successful heart surgery. In the field of physics, the innovations and leadership of Shirley Jackson's work as the head of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Walter E. Massey's directorship as the president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science are described. Ernest Everth Just's research in zoology and marine biology led him to become not only the first African-American, but the first American, to be invited as a visiting professor at the prestigious Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Germany. In the expanding field of computer technology, John Moon's work on improving the design and storage capacity of disks is explained. Each of the chapters contains an inset that provides a link to a website for information on the scientist. A listing of Internet sites and brief descriptions of them are included, as are a glossary, chapter notes, and suggestions for further reading., Science Books & Films January 2010