... a welcome addition to the astronomical literature ... a beautifully written and well-researched study. Handling the science with a light but deft touch, Mr. Moore primarily focuses on this astronomer’s personal life, the office politics and the struggles one woman of science faced in the first half of the 20th century.
... an engaging, enlightening biography about a key figure in astrophysics in the 20th century ... isn’t perfect: it dwells a lot on her childhood, and speeds through much of her Harvard career after her landmark thesis. Nonetheless, it’s an important work in helping bring to light an important, but often overlooked, person in 20th century astrophysics.
... engaging and accessible ... skilfully opens up Payne’s achievements and adventures by setting them in the global village of astronomy, against the turbulent social and historical backdrop of twentieth-century Europe and the United States ... well-researched.
Readers will gnash their teeth as Moore recounts the discrimination she endured. This annoyed Payne-Gaposchkin, but astronomy was her obsession, so she rarely made a fuss, and male astronomers, once they realized her brilliance, mostly treated her well ... An outstanding life of an impressive scientist.
... well-researched ... Moore vividly describes the challenges that Cecilia and other women faced ... In addition to Cecilia’s life, Moore captures a fascinating period of change in science, when physics was in flux and astrophysics was brand-new, and in the world as a whole, as new opportunities opened up for women. This is a fascinating look at a pioneer in science.
