Dava Sobel, a best-selling science writer celebrated for her works like Longitude, shares her journey of intertwining science and storytelling. She discusses transforming historical narratives into bestsellers and emphasizes women’s contributions to science, particularly focusing on Marie Curie. Sobel reflects on her transition from journalism to book writing, the complexities of simplifying scientific concepts, and effective self-editing techniques. Her insights on resilience in both writing and science offer inspiration for aspiring authors.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Longitude's Unlikely Success
Dava Sobel's Longitude, initially a magazine article, became a surprise bestseller.
It was rejected by many publishers but found success through a small, dedicated publishing house.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Discovering Galileo's Daughter
Dava Sobel's interest in Galileo's daughter stemmed from a letter in a timekeeping book.
This letter revealed Galileo's human side and sparked Sobel's book, Galileo's Daughter.
insights INSIGHT
Shifting Focus to Women
Dava Sobel's focus shifted to women in science after writing The Glass Universe.
She realized her own biases and the widespread underestimation of women scientists' contributions.
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how the ladies of the Harvard Observatory took the measure of the stars
Dava Sobel
In 'The Glass Universe', Dava Sobel chronicles the lives and achievements of the women who worked at the Harvard Observatory in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These women, often referred to as 'computers', meticulously analyzed glass photographic plates of the stars, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in astronomy. The book highlights the contributions of women such as Williamina Fleming, Annie Jump Cannon, and Dr. Cecilia Helena Payne, and how their work advanced our understanding of the stars and the universe. Sobel's narrative is based on diaries, letters, memoirs, and scientific papers, providing both scientific and personal insights into the lives of these pioneering women.
Galileo's Daughter
A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love
Dava Sobel
The book tells the story of both Galileo Galilei and his intelligent and devout daughter, Suor Maria Celeste. It uses the 124 surviving letters from Maria to her father to provide a new perspective on Galileo's life, particularly his trial before the Inquisition for advocating the Copernican system. The narrative delves into the social and psychological forces at play during Galileo's trial, including the political pressures of the Thirty Years' War and the impact of the plague on Italy. It also vividly portrays the harsh life of the 'Poor Clares' in the convent where Maria lived, highlighting her significant role in supporting her father despite her own challenging circumstances.
The Elements of Marie Curie
How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science
Dava Sobel
This book by Dava Sobel is more than a biography; it is a tribute to Marie Curie, the first scientist to win two Nobel Prizes. Sobel navigates Curie's remarkable discoveries and fame alongside the stories of the women who trained in her laboratory, including Ellen Gleditsch, Marguerite Perey, and her own daughter, Irene Joliot-Curie. The narrative explores Curie's ingenuity beyond the laboratory, her personal struggles, and her enduring influence on women in science. Sobel's writing style makes complex scientific concepts accessible while providing a nuanced portrait of Curie's life and legacy[1][3][5].
Longitude
The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
Dava Sobel
In 'Longitude', Dava Sobel narrates the epic scientific quest to determine longitude at sea, a problem that had plagued navigators for centuries. The story centers around John Harrison, a self-educated clockmaker from Yorkshire, who devoted forty years to developing a series of precise chronometers that could accurately measure time even on long and rough sea voyages. By comparing the chronometer's time to local sun time, navigators could precisely measure longitude, a breakthrough that significantly improved maritime navigation and saved countless lives. The book also delves into the historical context, including the establishment of the Board of Longitude and the scientific and political rivalries of the time, making it a compelling tale of human ambition, science, and innovation.
Best-selling Science Writer Dava Sobel on blending science with storytelling—how to craft compelling narratives, navigate deep research, and bring historical figures to life. Plus insights on nonfiction publishing, overcoming creative roadblocks, and making complex ideas accessible to readers.
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ABOUT DAVA SOBEL
Dava Sobel is the bestselling author of The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science, Longitude, Galileo’s Daughter, and The Glass Universe. A former New York Times science reporter, she has received numerous awards for her contributions to science writing and currently edits the “Meter” poetry column in Scientific American.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Lulu. If you're interested in self-publishing, Lulu has free resources such as helpful tutorials, templates to help you layout a book, design for print, and they have a very watchable YouTube University channel. Our community anthology is in fact published using Lulu. Check them out at lulu.com. *
London Writers' Salon 
