This is not a "make your kid a scientist" book, but a collection of essays by prominent scientists and mathematicians from a wide range of disciplines that explore just what was their tipping point for their journey to the sciences. A fascinating read for a liberal arts mama who seems to be raising a son who thinks most creatively in the realm of science and numbers. ( )

This is a book which I enjoyed far, far more than I expected to - a book that, having read it, I want everyone I know to read and enjoy as well. This is despite the fact that I suspect the book hasn't turned out as its creator intended. Perhaps it is *because* of that it works so well.

The premise of the editor, John Brockman, was to ask a number of eminent scientists how their childhood lives influenced their later lives, and more specifically what caused them to become scientists and what influenced the way they did science. 27 essays were the result, and some of these respond to the editor's intentions in straightforward ways. They don't necessarily find that special event, eureka moment, or critical mentor that set them on their chosen path, but they do identify a mixture of influences from parents, school teachers, friends and books that were important to them.

But others take a very different tack. One or two reject the notion that it is possible to identify such influences. Marc D. Hauser doesn't go so far, but does say that he can't recall a single childhood event that influenced his later choices (despite having a world-class physicist for a father) but finds the key events in his university career onwards. Sherry Turkle looks back to the 'memory closet', where family photographs were stored in her grandparents' house. Steven Pinker is explicit in saying that any attempts by him to rationalise childhood influences is bound to be wrong, and draws on his own expertise in experimental psychology to justify this. (He also says that the same is true of the other essays!)

Yet Pinker still manages to write something on the subject that is captivating, and so do almost all the others appearing in this book. Their stories are sometimes uplifting, sometimes very touching, and don't always stay on topic. As the flyleaf blurb says, this book "tells as much about life as it does about science." It's better for it.

There's an extraordinary amount of good, condensed writing in this book. Barely a word is wasted. It's ideal for dipping into and it will make you think in many ways, as well as reminding you how fascinating and varied people are. Wholeheartedly recommended. ( )

Brilliant! Stories of childhood from scientists of all types. Goes to show that anyone can become a scientist if they have the right mind and opportunities regardless of upbringing. ( )