Women in Their Element: Selected Women’s Contributions To The Periodic System
The book’s 38 essays highlight women’s contributions to chemistry, ranging from well-known accounts to stories rarely told
Women in Their Element is undeniably a work of scholarship with detailed research, substantial references and footnotes, and academics’ characteristic dry and detached style. At times, I found myself wishing for more narrative to bring to life the women and their stories, especially in the earliest sections, which rely on the sparsest records. Most of the essays felt similar in tone despite the wide range of authors. The academic nature of this book means it isn’t a casual read but it’s accessible enough for non-scientists who want to gain insight into the history of women and science.