Hidden Powers Lise Meitner's Call to Science

 

Young people, especially girls who are interested in science will find a wonderful role model in Lise Meitner.

This book written in a beautiful poetry style easily explains the life of Lise Meitner and her critically important contribution to science.

Each chapter is written in a simple poetic style that makes understanding the complicated science that Lise and her fellow laboratory partners are discovering easily understandable.

The story of Lise’s life and how she worked her way through many obstacles is amazing as well as inspiring.

Lise Meitner wanted to be a scientist from a very young age. She lived at a time in history when women were not offered an education and certainly not encouraged to attend university, get a doctorate, or become a professor.   She overcame all these challenges and became the first woman physics professor at the University of Berlin.  As she was working hard to try and discover a new element for the periodic table alongside her partner, Otto Hahn, they discovered nuclear fission.

Life in Germany is getting more and more dangerous for the Jewish citizens. The Nazis are coming to power and Lise is in danger as she continues to work in the lab and is dismissed from teaching because of her Jewish religious beliefs.  She escapes to Sweden and continues her work. Along the way we also met other women scientists who were working hard to be accepted into the all male world of research and professorship. 

This book will encourage all young people to pursue their dreams with vigor and remain true to their beliefs and ideals. 

This book details references the Holocaust and how it affects Lise,  her colleagues,  her friends and family

but does not delve into the atrocities of the war.  We learn about how Hitler's rise to power affects Lise's life and career.  We learn how she withstands the pressure of the Nazis to curtail her work and how she escapes to Sweden.  Her fellows scientists help her and also are against the war and support the Jewish people.  They help her as much as they can.    Lise continues her work and is asked to come to America and assist in the creation of the atomic bomb.  She refuses because she is first and foremost a humanitarian.