A to Z of Women in Science and Math

Facts On File Library Of World History

by Lisa Yount

From ancient times onwards, scientifically inclined women in many cultures have had to battle against the traditional belief that men are more cognitively adept than women. This revised edition profiles 195 women who fought against these stereotypes throughout history.

Genres: Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published May 1, 1999

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now if potential perusers are looking for and demanding detailed and expansive facts on the close to three hundred STEM women being featured by Lisa Yount in her 2007 (and updated from the 1999 edition) A to Z of Women in Science and Math (from 18th century Italian mathematician Maria Gaetana Agnesi to contemporary Chinese Chemist Zhao Yufen), yes, they could well be rather disappointed. For of course and as a dictionary, all of the textual details on the women of science and mathematics being showcased in A to Z of Women in Science and Math are naturally and also by simple necessity very concise and as such having Yount just be providing the basics, the so-called bare necessities so to speak (but frankly, this is in my opinion something to be totally expected and is therefore also not at all an issue, or at least it should not at all be seen as something problematic and academically, intellectually lacking regarding A to Z of Women in Science and Math).

But indeed, but furthermore, if readers of A to Z of Women in Science and Math do want and/or require more detail and expansion, well, this is actually really and nicely easy to achieve as well. For with each and every STEM woman Lisa Yount showcases and briefly introduces in A to Z of Women in Science and Math she fortunately and delightfully then immediately follows her words with a list of titles for further reading. Therefore and in my humble opinion hugely and nicely user friendly, one does not have to flip to the back of A to Z of Women in Science and Math to locate and jot down titles on Hildegarde of Bingen, Heidi Hammel, Lise Meitner, Rachel Carson et al, although yes, there are also more general sources provided at the back of A to Z of Women in Science and Math as well. And my only caveat regarding the bibliographical information Yount has included is that since A to Z of Women in Science and Math was published in 2007, there will of course and naturally so not be any current, there will not be any post 2007 books, articles etc. to be seen in A to Z of Women in Science and Math, but well, that is simply and expectedly the nature of the academic beast, and that A to Z of Women in Science and Math is thus and for me both a very good general introduction to the STEM women being focused on and showcased by Lisa Yount and also and equally a more than decent starting point for further study and research.

And finally, just to point out that with regard to Lisa Yount's introduction for A to Z of Women in Science and Math, albeit what she has penned of women through the ages encountering major (and sometimes even dangerous) hurdles regarding educational pursuits and careers in science and math (and not just in the past either) is engaging, well-written, generally factually true (and that I also consider A to Z of Women in Science and Math as suitable for readers from about the age of twelve onwards), I do kind of wish that Yount would not be placing Austrian (and later German) physicist Lise Meitner into her list of women who were told by their parents that it was (and is) unladylike etc. to pursue STEM careers (since while Meitner definitely had gender related issues regarding university admittance, tenure etc., both her father and her mother were always supportive of both Lise and her older sister Gisela pursing STEM education and STEM careers), not a huge issue to be sure, but for me personally enough to consider A to Z of Women in Science and Math with a four and not a five star rating (but still, warmly and highly recommended, although I am not sure if A to Z of Women in Science and Math is still in current print and that obtaining a copy might thus be possibly a bit difficult and likely also expensive).

[-ella- · Rating 3 out of 5]

just a school book so…

[Lauren Vender]

Yount, L. (2007). A to z of women in science and math. Facts on File.
Citation by: Lauren Vender

Type of Reference: Biographical Reference

Call Number: Ref 920

Content/Scope: A young adult book that discusses 195 women who have contributed to the areas of mathematics and science. Information is included about their education, careers, fields of study, and obstacles that they had to overcome in order to excel in their fields.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: The author focuses on the ability of women to excel in male-dominated career fields. The author has been a long-time and well-respected writer of textbooks and other nonfiction texts.
Arrangement/Presentation: The information is presented in alphabetical order. There are indexes in the back of the book where readers can find information by many different subjects. Photographs are included for most entries, as well as, suggestions for further reading.

Relation to other works: There are several biographies in the collection that discuss women's history, but the do not focus on the mathematics/science fields. This would be a good completion to the collection.

Accessibility/Diversity: This would benefit both female and male students by giving them a good starting point for completing research projects and further research about these famous women. Female students who are labeled as gifted/talented in science and math would greatly benefit.
Cost: $12.64

Professional Review: McBroom, K. (2008). Review of a to z women in science and math: Revised edition. Booklist.