Curie by Sarah Dry, Haus Publishing, London, £8.99, ISBN 1904341292 Reviewed by Roy Herbert
CURIEis, of course, Marie Curie, who has been the subject of many a biography. This is a straightforward and pleasantly written addition to the mountain of literature about this incredibly industrious woman, who discovered the radioactive – Curie invented the term – elements radium and polonium. She became world-famous and was twice winner of a Nobel prize.
The dangers of radioactivity were little understood at the time, and there was a fashion for radioactive cosmetics, hair tonics and even knitting wool after its discovery. Curie died in 1934, certainly affected by radiation – but how much it contributed to her death remains unclear.
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As a short account of her life, this book could hardly be bettered. It’s well illustrated, too.