Marie Curie's contribution to science won her two Nobel prizes. Her research into radioactivity made her one of the most outstanding scientists of the 20th century. Curie's work on radium furthered our understanding in nuclear physics and caused huge advances in the treatment of cancer. Yet the inherent dangers of her work were unknown. Curie died of leukaemia as a result of years of exposure to radium. Marie Curie has often been seen as an exceptional woman. Her life was upheld as an example to women fighting for recognition and independence. But Curie was far from being the worthy paragon history recalls. What of the public scandal caused by her love affair? And what of the Nobel prize committee's attempt to force Curie to give up her second award? This book presents a snapshot of Curie's life and work. It gives a clear, accessible explanation of the meaning and importance of the discovery of radioactivity and the implications this has had for society.

About the Author

Paul Strathern was born in London and studied philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin. He was a lecturer at Kingston University where he taught philosophy and mathematics. He is a Somerset Maugham prize-winning novelist of A Season in Abyssinia, as well as four other novels. He is also the author of the Philosophers in 90 Minutes series.He wrote Mendeleyev's Dream which was shortlisted for the Aventis Science Book Prize, Dr. Strangelove's Game: A History of Economic Genius, The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance, Napoleon in Egypt and most recently, The Artist, The Philosopher and The Warrior, which details the convergence of three of Renaissance Italy's most brilliant minds: Leonardo Da Vinci, Niccolo Machiavelli and Cesare Borgia. He lives in London and has three grandchildren.

Prizes

THE BIG IDEA is a hugely popular series of science books that, at only 96 pages each, are an accessible read for the amateur