Description: While much has been written about barriers to women in science, very little work celebrates the wisdom and insights of those women who have risen to the top of their chosen scientific profession. Including several Nobel laureates, the group is elite -- yet their career profiles and personal interviews have much to say to everyone struggling to overcome obstacles. From their passionate love of research to their struggle to balance the demands of home and career, these women share a great deal. At the same time, these intimate portraits offer widely different insights about how being female has affected their careers.

We discover the importance of such factors as persistence, good mentoring, talent, and just plain luck. Often, there is a critical moment at which, but for a serendipitous event, even these dedicated women could easily have been diverted from their career paths. The Door in the Dream offers a revealing glimpse into the lives of these inspiring women, providing readers the opportunity to benefit from their personal insights and anecdotes.

Through interviews conducted over many years, personal portraits emerge that are both inspiring and absorbing. Meet Janet Rowley, who initially completed only the minimal requirements to earn her M.D. but ultimately made discoveries that have significantly advanced the treatment of leukemia. Or Gertrude Elion, who overcame numerous impediments to eventually win a Nobel Prize. Then there's Maria Koshland, who raised five children -- including a set of twins -- while also nurturing a successful career in scientific research.

In an informal and engaging manner, Wasserman provides a fascinating commentary on the changing status andrepresentation of women in science in the 20th century. Rather than concentrating on the barriers they faced, this remarkable book celebrates the wisdom, perseverance, and dedication it took to rise to the top of their chosen profession. Including several Nobel laureates, the group unquestionably defines what it means to be different -- but their stories have much to say to everyone.

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