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California Studies in the History of Science
Lise Meitner: A Life in Physics
Lise Meitner (1878-1968) was a pioneer of nuclear physics and co-discoverer, with Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann, of nuclear fission. Braving the sexism of the scientific world, she joined the prestigious Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Chemistry and became a prominent member of the international physics community. Of Jewish origin, Meitner fled Nazi Germany for Stockholm in 1938 and later moved to Cambridge, England. Her career was shattered when she fled Germany, and her scientific reputation was damaged when Hahn took full credit―and the 1944 Nobel Prize―for the work they had done together on nuclear fission. Ruth Sime's absorbing book is the definitive biography of Lise Meitner, the story of a brilliant woman whose extraordinary life illustrates not only the dramatic scientific progress but also the injustice and destruction that have marked the twentieth century.
564 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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March 14, 2014
This is a brilliant book. I have not enjoyed a book so much for years.
It is the story of one of the most outstanding women scientists of the last century. A girl in Vienna in the late 1890’s, with an interest in maths and science, whose best prospects would have been becoming a French teacher, Lise Meitner beats the odds and becomes a world calibre physicist. Sime’s masterly narrative describes the incredible difficulties she had to overcome, first to get an education and later to be accepted by her male colleagues in Berlin. Eventually she ended up working with the top scientists of the time. From Planck to Bohr, to von Laue to Schrodinger and Einstein - a very privileged situation, but one she earned through a great deal of work and personal sacrifice.
Sime depicts the ups and downs of scientific research in nuclear physics and radioactive chemistry so skilfully that she had me sitting on the edge of the chair. I should confess that before I became a writer, I used to work in scientific research myself and maybe that contributed to my utter absorption in this book, but I think that most people with high school science should be able to follow that part of the story. But this book is about much more, it is about the history of the first half of the 20th century Europe, about racism and what that does to both the hated and the hater.
It is about personalities and human relationships, but more importantly about ethics. When should a person abandon a career or the work they love for justice? Is there a boundary one should never cross for personal gains?
Sime’s description of how the German scientists felt about Germany being defeated was utterly fascinating. That is where my sympathy for Otto Hahn, Meitner’s collaborator for many years, diminished.
There is more tension in the events which lead to the discovery of fission (and the competition to be first to publish) than in most crime stories.
Sime discusses in detail why Meitner ended up missing out on the Nobel Prize she probably deserved. There are a number of culprits, but I think that Bohr is far more guilty than she is prepared to say. Is it because he was a larger than life character who helped many people during the war? Surely that does not excuse the damage he caused to Meitner and Frisch-her collaborator. I suspect it was self- interest, I suspect he wanted to share the limelight.
Otto Hahn remains somewhat of a mystery. He helped Meitner a great deal to be accepted in Berlin and later to get out of Germany before war broke out, but as the war went on their relationship cooled. Understandable. It seems to me that Sime tried to be impartial towards him for most of the book, but she found it hard towards the end. Maybe she is right, maybe he did change completely as a result of the war and the fame brought by the Nobel Prize, but I am not entirely convinced. In his Nobel speech Hahn did include Meitner and Frisch’s contribution. Perhaps it was low key but she was there.
This book is a valuable contribution not only to the history of science, but to the history of Europe. It is the story of the scientists who pushed our understanding of the world ahead a great deal, their personalities, their competitive streaks, their ethical choices. It is the story of the courageous, and the story of the weak and self-interested. And by basing it on detailed research, Sime has produced an utterly credible and captivating story.
It is the story of one of the most outstanding women scientists of the last century. A girl in Vienna in the late 1890’s, with an interest in maths and science, whose best prospects would have been becoming a French teacher, Lise Meitner beats the odds and becomes a world calibre physicist. Sime’s masterly narrative describes the incredible difficulties she had to overcome, first to get an education and later to be accepted by her male colleagues in Berlin. Eventually she ended up working with the top scientists of the time. From Planck to Bohr, to von Laue to Schrodinger and Einstein - a very privileged situation, but one she earned through a great deal of work and personal sacrifice.
Sime depicts the ups and downs of scientific research in nuclear physics and radioactive chemistry so skilfully that she had me sitting on the edge of the chair. I should confess that before I became a writer, I used to work in scientific research myself and maybe that contributed to my utter absorption in this book, but I think that most people with high school science should be able to follow that part of the story. But this book is about much more, it is about the history of the first half of the 20th century Europe, about racism and what that does to both the hated and the hater.
It is about personalities and human relationships, but more importantly about ethics. When should a person abandon a career or the work they love for justice? Is there a boundary one should never cross for personal gains?
Sime’s description of how the German scientists felt about Germany being defeated was utterly fascinating. That is where my sympathy for Otto Hahn, Meitner’s collaborator for many years, diminished.
There is more tension in the events which lead to the discovery of fission (and the competition to be first to publish) than in most crime stories.
Sime discusses in detail why Meitner ended up missing out on the Nobel Prize she probably deserved. There are a number of culprits, but I think that Bohr is far more guilty than she is prepared to say. Is it because he was a larger than life character who helped many people during the war? Surely that does not excuse the damage he caused to Meitner and Frisch-her collaborator. I suspect it was self- interest, I suspect he wanted to share the limelight.
Otto Hahn remains somewhat of a mystery. He helped Meitner a great deal to be accepted in Berlin and later to get out of Germany before war broke out, but as the war went on their relationship cooled. Understandable. It seems to me that Sime tried to be impartial towards him for most of the book, but she found it hard towards the end. Maybe she is right, maybe he did change completely as a result of the war and the fame brought by the Nobel Prize, but I am not entirely convinced. In his Nobel speech Hahn did include Meitner and Frisch’s contribution. Perhaps it was low key but she was there.
This book is a valuable contribution not only to the history of science, but to the history of Europe. It is the story of the scientists who pushed our understanding of the world ahead a great deal, their personalities, their competitive streaks, their ethical choices. It is the story of the courageous, and the story of the weak and self-interested. And by basing it on detailed research, Sime has produced an utterly credible and captivating story.
January 25, 2022
This biography is so much more than what it says on the tin. Yes, it is a beautifully researched book about the life of physicist Lisa Meitner, but it is also a analysis of WW2 Germany, women in STEM, and the displacement faced by refugees.
Lise Meitner was one of the most eminent physicists of her generation. She was friends with Einstein who called her "our Marie Curie." Like her counterpart in biology, Rosalind Franklin, she has been mostly forgotten by the general public. Meitner loved physics. She was deeply passionate about the subject and was happiest performing experiments. She is known for the discovery of proactinium and, more importantly, nuclear fission. Also like Rosalind Franklin and Chien-Shiung Wu, really should have won a Nobel Prize for her work.
This book is written by a Chemistry Ph.D. It is not shy about diving into the science and the specifics of Meitners discoveries. That being said, I found it accessible and well written.
Her disappearance from popular knowledge is partly due to the fact she was a woman in a male dominated field and partly due to the fact that she was ethnically Jewish and living in Germany during the 1930s. Her most productive years as a physicist came to a halt when she was forced to leave the country and settle in Sweden as a refugee.
Lise Meitner lived during a period of dynamic upheaval. She was born as Europe was finishing the transition to from feudal monarchies to democratic governments. Her love for her work was always overshadowed by current events- from volunteering as a nurse during WW1 to fleeing for her life under Hitler's regime.
I was struck in a very personal way by Meitners experiences post WW2 as she tried to reestablish her life and rebuild old friendships. The very real trauma she experienced compounded by the lack of compassion from friends who had known her for decades was heartbreaking. Meitner was 59 years old when she was forced to flee Germany. The sense of homelessness and displacement was something she never really recovered from.
This biography is deeply personal as it draws heavily from Meitners diary and letters. It shows Meitner as a woman who loved physics, music, and maintained a very clear sense of morality. I would recommend this book to people interested in women in STEM, modern history, and refugee experiences.
Lise Meitner was one of the most eminent physicists of her generation. She was friends with Einstein who called her "our Marie Curie." Like her counterpart in biology, Rosalind Franklin, she has been mostly forgotten by the general public. Meitner loved physics. She was deeply passionate about the subject and was happiest performing experiments. She is known for the discovery of proactinium and, more importantly, nuclear fission. Also like Rosalind Franklin and Chien-Shiung Wu, really should have won a Nobel Prize for her work.
This book is written by a Chemistry Ph.D. It is not shy about diving into the science and the specifics of Meitners discoveries. That being said, I found it accessible and well written.
Her disappearance from popular knowledge is partly due to the fact she was a woman in a male dominated field and partly due to the fact that she was ethnically Jewish and living in Germany during the 1930s. Her most productive years as a physicist came to a halt when she was forced to leave the country and settle in Sweden as a refugee.
Lise Meitner lived during a period of dynamic upheaval. She was born as Europe was finishing the transition to from feudal monarchies to democratic governments. Her love for her work was always overshadowed by current events- from volunteering as a nurse during WW1 to fleeing for her life under Hitler's regime.
I was struck in a very personal way by Meitners experiences post WW2 as she tried to reestablish her life and rebuild old friendships. The very real trauma she experienced compounded by the lack of compassion from friends who had known her for decades was heartbreaking. Meitner was 59 years old when she was forced to flee Germany. The sense of homelessness and displacement was something she never really recovered from.
This biography is deeply personal as it draws heavily from Meitners diary and letters. It shows Meitner as a woman who loved physics, music, and maintained a very clear sense of morality. I would recommend this book to people interested in women in STEM, modern history, and refugee experiences.
September 5, 2021
Essential reading for anyone interested in 20C science. A heartbreaking human story about a revolutionary who has been pushed out of sight. Unlike many popular science biographies, plenty of technical detail for the reader to see (a) how confused the whole field of nuclear physics was prior to her work, and (b) what Meitner's contributions really were.
June 16, 2007
More than just a biography of scientist. Highlights aspects of the world wars, anti-semitism, and feminism in europe that are not often discussed. Loved it.
October 28, 2021
“Just as the laws of nature work consistently and without exception, in great things as in small, so too people cannot live together without equal justice for all.” – Max Planck
She lived through some intriguing times. She was informed by an inquisitiveness that was more a hallmark than a habit. She was invested with a degree of knowledge that generated incandescent output and outcomes. Yet she remains incognito. Affably referred to as “our own, Marie Curie” by the indomitable Einstein – during the course of a brief Physics experiment which the duo conducted in Berlin - the late Austrian physicist Lise Meitner will go down in the annals of scientific and socio-political history as the unsung genius who was done in by both the times she inhabited, and the telling mores that were the travails of such times.
Ruth Lewin Sime in an authoritative, engaging and definitive biography highlights the stupendous rise and unfortunate relegation of one of most influential physicists of our time. Taught by the enthusiastic theoretical physicist Ludwig Boltzmann, Lise Meitner made her way to the then Mecca of Physics, Berlin. Intending to spend time honing her intellectual prowess over a few semesters, Meitner spent the thirty one years in Berlin, before fleeing to Sweden just before the onset of the bloody Second World War.
Meitner’s love for Science in general and Physics in particular was enhanced immeasurably when she met Max Planck in Berlin. Admiring the phenomenal theoretical physicist with reverence more than respect and regard, Meitner was bowled over by the man’s obsession towards his subject. After Boltzmann, it was only Planck who dived into his chosen sphere of expertise with a vengeance. “Again and again I saw with admiration that he never did or avoided doing something that might have been useful or damaging to himself. When he perceived something to be right, he carried it out, without regard for his own person.” But the quality that endeared Planck the most to Meitner was his unflinching belief that Physics was inseparable from ethical values, because nothing less than complete honesty suffices to understand external reality. Lise along with other advanced students and physics assistants were regularly invited to his home on Wangenheimstrasse.
Working assiduously with her fellow collaborator of more than three decades, Otto Hahn - a German chemist and a trail blazer in the fields of radioactivity and radio chemistry - Meitner ascended the pinnacle of her formidable intellectual prowess, when she devised a brilliant method that involved the employ of neutrons to bombard Uranium. Termed “the liquid droplet model”, this process led to the splitting of the Uranium nucleus and a consequent emission of a humongous amount of energy. Lise Meitner, with this seminal discovery, became the first ever Physicist to realise the potential of atomic fission. This research also earned her the appellation, “mother of the atomic bomb”.
Superfluous epithets and coy monikers, however, fail miserably in doing justice to the tribulations which this wonderful woman had to face at every stage of her academic and professional progress. She had to endure ludicrous personal prejudices and overpower stentorian male patriarchy. In one striking example, the Nobel laureate Emil Fischer declined to let her work in his storied lab because he thought women’s long hair was a fire hazard (rich, coming from a man who had a veritable bush for a beard). But Lise Meitner carried on undeterred in her pursuit, undaunted in her focus, and unrelenting in her ambition. She realised quite early in her professional career that storming this male bastion was not a feasible option. Instead she decided to dismantle it, brick by stubborn brick. Before her arrival in Berlin, she had after all compressed eight years of schooling in just two years since an ambivalent and antediluvian Viennese establishment decided to allow entry into the hallowed portals of its educational institutions to women only as an afterthought. Meitner not only earned her doctoral degree in 1905, but also became only the second woman ever to obtain a doctorate in physics.
She was very meticulous in ensuring that every research paper which she and Hahn co-authored had Hahn’s name appearing first (even though in some cases the research was her sole preserve). She also engaged some of the titans in the world of Physics, colossuses of the likes of Max Planck, Niels Bohr, Wolfgang Pauli and James Chadwick etc in engaging deliberations, thereby winning them over. The sordid citadel creaked, complained and ultimately, collapsed, but not before dealing one final insidious hand. Despite being nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physics a whopping 29 times, and for Chemistry another 19 times, (earliest being 1924 and the latest 1965) Lise Meitner, was repeatedly overlooked whereas her co-collaborator Otto Hahn bagged the prestigious award for the very research to which Meitner rendered yeoman contribution.
After she fled Berlin seeking the refuge of Sweden, a systematic attempt was made by the Nazis to just eviscerate all her contribution in the domain of theoretical physics. Her research papers were withheld and even her pension was stopped. While Hitler’s goons were busy erasing Lise Meitner from the consciousness of the German public, her trusted collaborator and ‘brother in research’ Otto Hahn played his own opportunistic card by trumpeting the discovery of atomic fission as a purely a feat of chemistry, thereby expunging the invaluable contribution of both Physics and Physicist.
“During his life he was made an honorary member of nearly every scientific society on earth and awarded countless honorary doctorates, medals, keys to cities, and honorary citizenships; his face was on a stamp and his name was on buildings, institutes, schools, libraries, streets, a nuclear-powered ship, a prestigious prize, and an unknown number of baby boys. (And posthumously: trains, a moon crater, coins, an element, an Antarctic island, plaques of the “Washington-slept-here” type, brigades, bridges, and plazas.”
In a feeble attempt at ‘atonement’, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded Meitner its prestigious Enrico Fermi Award in 1966.
She lived through some intriguing times. She was informed by an inquisitiveness that was more a hallmark than a habit. She was invested with a degree of knowledge that generated incandescent output and outcomes. Yet she remains incognito. Affably referred to as “our own, Marie Curie” by the indomitable Einstein – during the course of a brief Physics experiment which the duo conducted in Berlin - the late Austrian physicist Lise Meitner will go down in the annals of scientific and socio-political history as the unsung genius who was done in by both the times she inhabited, and the telling mores that were the travails of such times.
Ruth Lewin Sime in an authoritative, engaging and definitive biography highlights the stupendous rise and unfortunate relegation of one of most influential physicists of our time. Taught by the enthusiastic theoretical physicist Ludwig Boltzmann, Lise Meitner made her way to the then Mecca of Physics, Berlin. Intending to spend time honing her intellectual prowess over a few semesters, Meitner spent the thirty one years in Berlin, before fleeing to Sweden just before the onset of the bloody Second World War.
Meitner’s love for Science in general and Physics in particular was enhanced immeasurably when she met Max Planck in Berlin. Admiring the phenomenal theoretical physicist with reverence more than respect and regard, Meitner was bowled over by the man’s obsession towards his subject. After Boltzmann, it was only Planck who dived into his chosen sphere of expertise with a vengeance. “Again and again I saw with admiration that he never did or avoided doing something that might have been useful or damaging to himself. When he perceived something to be right, he carried it out, without regard for his own person.” But the quality that endeared Planck the most to Meitner was his unflinching belief that Physics was inseparable from ethical values, because nothing less than complete honesty suffices to understand external reality. Lise along with other advanced students and physics assistants were regularly invited to his home on Wangenheimstrasse.
Working assiduously with her fellow collaborator of more than three decades, Otto Hahn - a German chemist and a trail blazer in the fields of radioactivity and radio chemistry - Meitner ascended the pinnacle of her formidable intellectual prowess, when she devised a brilliant method that involved the employ of neutrons to bombard Uranium. Termed “the liquid droplet model”, this process led to the splitting of the Uranium nucleus and a consequent emission of a humongous amount of energy. Lise Meitner, with this seminal discovery, became the first ever Physicist to realise the potential of atomic fission. This research also earned her the appellation, “mother of the atomic bomb”.
Superfluous epithets and coy monikers, however, fail miserably in doing justice to the tribulations which this wonderful woman had to face at every stage of her academic and professional progress. She had to endure ludicrous personal prejudices and overpower stentorian male patriarchy. In one striking example, the Nobel laureate Emil Fischer declined to let her work in his storied lab because he thought women’s long hair was a fire hazard (rich, coming from a man who had a veritable bush for a beard). But Lise Meitner carried on undeterred in her pursuit, undaunted in her focus, and unrelenting in her ambition. She realised quite early in her professional career that storming this male bastion was not a feasible option. Instead she decided to dismantle it, brick by stubborn brick. Before her arrival in Berlin, she had after all compressed eight years of schooling in just two years since an ambivalent and antediluvian Viennese establishment decided to allow entry into the hallowed portals of its educational institutions to women only as an afterthought. Meitner not only earned her doctoral degree in 1905, but also became only the second woman ever to obtain a doctorate in physics.
She was very meticulous in ensuring that every research paper which she and Hahn co-authored had Hahn’s name appearing first (even though in some cases the research was her sole preserve). She also engaged some of the titans in the world of Physics, colossuses of the likes of Max Planck, Niels Bohr, Wolfgang Pauli and James Chadwick etc in engaging deliberations, thereby winning them over. The sordid citadel creaked, complained and ultimately, collapsed, but not before dealing one final insidious hand. Despite being nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physics a whopping 29 times, and for Chemistry another 19 times, (earliest being 1924 and the latest 1965) Lise Meitner, was repeatedly overlooked whereas her co-collaborator Otto Hahn bagged the prestigious award for the very research to which Meitner rendered yeoman contribution.
After she fled Berlin seeking the refuge of Sweden, a systematic attempt was made by the Nazis to just eviscerate all her contribution in the domain of theoretical physics. Her research papers were withheld and even her pension was stopped. While Hitler’s goons were busy erasing Lise Meitner from the consciousness of the German public, her trusted collaborator and ‘brother in research’ Otto Hahn played his own opportunistic card by trumpeting the discovery of atomic fission as a purely a feat of chemistry, thereby expunging the invaluable contribution of both Physics and Physicist.
“During his life he was made an honorary member of nearly every scientific society on earth and awarded countless honorary doctorates, medals, keys to cities, and honorary citizenships; his face was on a stamp and his name was on buildings, institutes, schools, libraries, streets, a nuclear-powered ship, a prestigious prize, and an unknown number of baby boys. (And posthumously: trains, a moon crater, coins, an element, an Antarctic island, plaques of the “Washington-slept-here” type, brigades, bridges, and plazas.”
In a feeble attempt at ‘atonement’, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded Meitner its prestigious Enrico Fermi Award in 1966.
unfinished
April 30, 2021DNF; fascinating subject and has some great passages, but excessively overdetailed and because the author is a chemist, most of the scientific portions were impenetrable for a lay reader
May 28, 2008
Loved this one. Had a long section in the middle that was very technical and I had to skim over that but the story of her life, contribution to physics, and they people she spent time with was facinating. She was royally screwed by her friend and collegue but handled it with grace
March 12, 2010
Overall, a compelling and useful biography of a less-known but very important physicist. Dr. Sime is a gifted writer, too, as well as a scientist in her own right. If you're interested in physics, the history of the physical sciences, or female scientists, it's a very good book to read.
August 27, 2016
brilliant...absolutely riveting pages detailing her escape from Nazi Germany
Read
April 27, 2025Book Review: Lise Meitner: A Life in Physics by Ruth Lewin Sime
Introduction
In Lise Meitner: A Life in Physics, Ruth Lewin Sime intricately chronicles the life of Lise Meitner, a pioneering physicist whose contributions to nuclear physics and radioactivity have had lasting impacts on the field. This biography not only highlights Meitner’s scientific achievements but also addresses the societal and institutional challenges she faced as a woman in the male-dominated world of early 20th-century physics. Sime’s work serves as both a tribute to Meitner’s legacy and a critical examination of the historical context surrounding her life and work.
Content Overview
The biography is structured chronologically, tracing Meitner’s journey from her early education in Vienna through her groundbreaking research in Germany and her subsequent exile to Sweden during World War II. Sime begins by exploring Meitner’s formative years, emphasizing her passion for science and the influence of her supportive family. This foundation sets the stage for understanding her determination to succeed in a scientific career at a time when women were largely excluded from academic institutions.
Sime meticulously details Meitner’s collaboration with chemist Otto Hahn, with whom she conducted pivotal research on radioactivity and nuclear fission. Their partnership led to the discovery of nuclear fission in uranium, a finding that would later be instrumental in the development of nuclear energy. Despite the significance of her contributions, Meitner was often overshadowed by her male counterparts, a theme that reoccurs throughout the narrative.
The biography also addresses the political and social upheavals of the time, particularly the rise of the Nazi regime, which forced Meitner to leave Germany due to her Jewish heritage. Sime highlights how this personal turmoil affected Meitner’s work and relationships, yet she also showcases Meitner’s resilience and ability to adapt in the face of adversity.
Critical Analysis
Sime’s writing is compelling and deeply researched, drawing on extensive archival materials and interviews to paint a vivid picture of Meitner’s life. The author skillfully balances scientific discourse with biographical elements, making complex scientific concepts accessible to readers without sacrificing depth. By providing context for Meitner’s contributions to physics, Sime enhances the reader’s appreciation for her groundbreaking work and the significance of her findings.
One of the strengths of this biography is its focus on gender roles within the scientific community. Sime critiques the systemic barriers that hindered women’s recognition and advancement in science, using Meitner’s experiences as a case study for larger issues of gender inequality in STEM fields. This not only highlights Meitner’s struggle for recognition but also serves as a call to action for increased awareness of the contributions of women in science.
However, while the biography is thorough in its exploration of Meitner’s life, some readers may desire a deeper analysis of her scientific work itself, particularly her theories and methodologies. An increased emphasis on her scientific processes and the implications of her discoveries could further enhance the understanding of her impact on physics.
Conclusion
Lise Meitner: A Life in Physics is a significant and enlightening biography that honors the legacy of a trailblazing scientist. Ruth Lewin Sime masterfully combines personal narrative with scientific history to create a rich account of Meitner’s life and work. This book is not only a valuable contribution to the history of science literature but also an essential read for those interested in the role of women in science and the challenges they have historically faced.
Recommendation
This biography is recommended for students, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of science and gender studies. Sime’s portrayal of Lise Meitner offers inspiration and insight into the life of a remarkable woman whose contributions to physics continue to resonate today. Through this work, readers are invited to reflect on the importance of diversity in science and the recognition of those who have shaped our understanding of the natural world.
Introduction
In Lise Meitner: A Life in Physics, Ruth Lewin Sime intricately chronicles the life of Lise Meitner, a pioneering physicist whose contributions to nuclear physics and radioactivity have had lasting impacts on the field. This biography not only highlights Meitner’s scientific achievements but also addresses the societal and institutional challenges she faced as a woman in the male-dominated world of early 20th-century physics. Sime’s work serves as both a tribute to Meitner’s legacy and a critical examination of the historical context surrounding her life and work.
Content Overview
The biography is structured chronologically, tracing Meitner’s journey from her early education in Vienna through her groundbreaking research in Germany and her subsequent exile to Sweden during World War II. Sime begins by exploring Meitner’s formative years, emphasizing her passion for science and the influence of her supportive family. This foundation sets the stage for understanding her determination to succeed in a scientific career at a time when women were largely excluded from academic institutions.
Sime meticulously details Meitner’s collaboration with chemist Otto Hahn, with whom she conducted pivotal research on radioactivity and nuclear fission. Their partnership led to the discovery of nuclear fission in uranium, a finding that would later be instrumental in the development of nuclear energy. Despite the significance of her contributions, Meitner was often overshadowed by her male counterparts, a theme that reoccurs throughout the narrative.
The biography also addresses the political and social upheavals of the time, particularly the rise of the Nazi regime, which forced Meitner to leave Germany due to her Jewish heritage. Sime highlights how this personal turmoil affected Meitner’s work and relationships, yet she also showcases Meitner’s resilience and ability to adapt in the face of adversity.
Critical Analysis
Sime’s writing is compelling and deeply researched, drawing on extensive archival materials and interviews to paint a vivid picture of Meitner’s life. The author skillfully balances scientific discourse with biographical elements, making complex scientific concepts accessible to readers without sacrificing depth. By providing context for Meitner’s contributions to physics, Sime enhances the reader’s appreciation for her groundbreaking work and the significance of her findings.
One of the strengths of this biography is its focus on gender roles within the scientific community. Sime critiques the systemic barriers that hindered women’s recognition and advancement in science, using Meitner’s experiences as a case study for larger issues of gender inequality in STEM fields. This not only highlights Meitner’s struggle for recognition but also serves as a call to action for increased awareness of the contributions of women in science.
However, while the biography is thorough in its exploration of Meitner’s life, some readers may desire a deeper analysis of her scientific work itself, particularly her theories and methodologies. An increased emphasis on her scientific processes and the implications of her discoveries could further enhance the understanding of her impact on physics.
Conclusion
Lise Meitner: A Life in Physics is a significant and enlightening biography that honors the legacy of a trailblazing scientist. Ruth Lewin Sime masterfully combines personal narrative with scientific history to create a rich account of Meitner’s life and work. This book is not only a valuable contribution to the history of science literature but also an essential read for those interested in the role of women in science and the challenges they have historically faced.
Recommendation
This biography is recommended for students, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of science and gender studies. Sime’s portrayal of Lise Meitner offers inspiration and insight into the life of a remarkable woman whose contributions to physics continue to resonate today. Through this work, readers are invited to reflect on the importance of diversity in science and the recognition of those who have shaped our understanding of the natural world.
December 30, 2018
4.5*
Really great book, Lise Meitner was a very inspiring woman, not just simply for the fact she was an incredibly great physicist, but also due to her ability to stay firm in her beliefs without destroying the relationships she had with others. Not an easy thing to achieve.
She lived through the horrors of the two world wars - it was very saddening to read about, but, in todays climate, not an unwelcome reminder of how things can get extremely out of hand. There was a lot of insight into how it was for Germany at that time.
Heavy scientific descriptions in parts - oh coz, it's about the discovery of fission :) - but shouldn't let that be off-putting, there is lots of good stuff in here, even if you have to skim over the science!
It was clear from the start that author Ruth Lewin Sime strongly believes Meitner should never have been overlooked for the noble prize in the discovery of fission, and she makes a very good case to back up those beliefs too. Highly recommend!
Really great book, Lise Meitner was a very inspiring woman, not just simply for the fact she was an incredibly great physicist, but also due to her ability to stay firm in her beliefs without destroying the relationships she had with others. Not an easy thing to achieve.
She lived through the horrors of the two world wars - it was very saddening to read about, but, in todays climate, not an unwelcome reminder of how things can get extremely out of hand. There was a lot of insight into how it was for Germany at that time.
Heavy scientific descriptions in parts - oh coz, it's about the discovery of fission :) - but shouldn't let that be off-putting, there is lots of good stuff in here, even if you have to skim over the science!
It was clear from the start that author Ruth Lewin Sime strongly believes Meitner should never have been overlooked for the noble prize in the discovery of fission, and she makes a very good case to back up those beliefs too. Highly recommend!
January 12, 2025
Excellent biography that completely justifies why Meitner should have earned the Nobel Prize along with Otto Hahn. A warning that some of the chemistry and physics can be a bit dense (especially the use of period terms like the prefix eka-), but you can skip it without missing anything.
Her emotional and interior life is illustrated with excerpts from her letters and those who corresponded with her. It’s odd to see how she was feted so highly in the 40s, then nearly forgotten, and now gaining a measure of deserved admiration.
Her emotional and interior life is illustrated with excerpts from her letters and those who corresponded with her. It’s odd to see how she was feted so highly in the 40s, then nearly forgotten, and now gaining a measure of deserved admiration.
September 20, 2018
I didn't realize how much I didn't know about radiation: had to turn to Wikipedia to learn more about alpha, beta, and gamma radiation in order to understand Meitner's work in the 20s and 30s. It doesn't help that the way in which it was understood then was different from now, so trying to slot those two things together in my mind
January 3, 2019
An excellent, clearly written biography of one of the great physicists of the early nuclear era. As well as her personal life, this book gives a thorough, clearly explained descriptions of her scientific works and achievements.
A real eye-opener.
A real eye-opener.
March 25, 2020
A bit long and can get very technical more in a textbook fashion than novel/biography.
June 18, 2020
I thought most of it was very good- it did get pretty technical at times, and I could have done without the long research descriptions, although I admire the author for putting in so much effort. Overall, excellent. Also, the actual book is only around 380 pages- the rest are appendices and notes.
August 19, 2024
I enjoyed the life story parts of this book quite a bit but the physics parts weighed it down for me as I had difficulty understanding them. So I didn't make it all the way through the book.
June 17, 2025
It was like living the whole lifetime with her. She's the most aspiring physicist I've ever read about.
February 5, 2016
Lise Meitner, one of the key figures in the discovery of fission, would be more widely remembered in history if she had not been Austrian-Jewish and made her break through findings in exile, right before World War II. There is plenty to admire in her journey, from her pioneering entrance to university formerly out of reach to women, to leading the physics section of the KWI.
This books provides a very engaging overview of her life, bringing Lise to life, along with the historical events that marked her time. The depiction of other prominent scientists of her time, like Bohr, Einstein and Planck brings a lot of humanity to these figures. The inclusion of several letters written by Lise really make her personality shine through - her reluctance to complain about her dire conditions on the post World War I economic crisis, her struggles integrating to life in Sweden, her confidence and authority when interacting with Otto Han and directing the course of the experiments. The biographer attempst to keep a neutral stance on Otto Han, although on the final chapters, his lack of recognition of Lise's role on the fission discovery, and her exclusion from the Nobel Prize are highlighted.
I personally found the description of the experiments a bit overwhelming, without a foundation of modern physics. While I can understand there is only so much that can be covered on uyniversity level physics in engineering, I can't help but feel a little cheated here... But I disgress...
Read this book. And then pass it along - Lise has flown under the radar for far too long.
This books provides a very engaging overview of her life, bringing Lise to life, along with the historical events that marked her time. The depiction of other prominent scientists of her time, like Bohr, Einstein and Planck brings a lot of humanity to these figures. The inclusion of several letters written by Lise really make her personality shine through - her reluctance to complain about her dire conditions on the post World War I economic crisis, her struggles integrating to life in Sweden, her confidence and authority when interacting with Otto Han and directing the course of the experiments. The biographer attempst to keep a neutral stance on Otto Han, although on the final chapters, his lack of recognition of Lise's role on the fission discovery, and her exclusion from the Nobel Prize are highlighted.
I personally found the description of the experiments a bit overwhelming, without a foundation of modern physics. While I can understand there is only so much that can be covered on uyniversity level physics in engineering, I can't help but feel a little cheated here... But I disgress...
Read this book. And then pass it along - Lise has flown under the radar for far too long.
February 7, 2015
This book covered all of the necessary parts. And I think Lise would have approved. But I think it was somewhat padded with atomic history. I learned a lot. Amazing, for instance how long it took to distinguish elements by (Z) the number of protons instead of by mass. All that is great for atomic history enthusiasts, but may be dull for those who are not.
Lise was clearly the most ripped - off Nobel Prize non winner in history. But she really seemed to shake that off. Physics was her love and the rest was noise.
I read the entire thing, including the extensive notes. Very enjoyable. If you don't like atomic history, you can safely skip parts.
Lise was a great pioneer and physicist in an androcentric world. Her achievements are well acknowledged apart from her political or sexist struggles. Go element 109!
Lise was clearly the most ripped - off Nobel Prize non winner in history. But she really seemed to shake that off. Physics was her love and the rest was noise.
I read the entire thing, including the extensive notes. Very enjoyable. If you don't like atomic history, you can safely skip parts.
Lise was a great pioneer and physicist in an androcentric world. Her achievements are well acknowledged apart from her political or sexist struggles. Go element 109!
December 2, 2016
Well-researched account of Meitner's life and the research that led up to the discovery of nuclear fission. It's sympathetic even in taking a stance on the political events and actions that shaped Meitner's career and later life, presenting a clear picture of her scientific achievements and tracing the reasons why they remain so little-known. Moreover an inspiring read about a woman who was one of the first in science, going on to become a brilliant pioneer in nuclear physics.
The science-heavy parts can be a bit challenging for a reader with little background in the field (like me), but Sime's writing makes them understandable so that by the time the idea of fission enters the picture, you're left breathlessly stunned at the beauty of its discovery.
The science-heavy parts can be a bit challenging for a reader with little background in the field (like me), but Sime's writing makes them understandable so that by the time the idea of fission enters the picture, you're left breathlessly stunned at the beauty of its discovery.
March 24, 2008
I loved the story of this woman's life presented in this book, but the description of the physics was weak. I had to turn elsewhere for that. Overall, it was a difficult read, but worth it.
December 26, 2011
Stunning story, little told. How unjust was all THAT?!
April 18, 2016
Good. Book
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