Professional biographer Carl Rollyson has pioneered a new kind of biography for children and adults alike. His narrative of Marie Curie''s life is rendered in simple, precise prose, but he also includes material addressed to adults-especially to parents who wish some guidance in discussing what their children read. This home schooling biography also includes a timeline, sources for further study, a glossary, and an index.

Vivid quotations from those who knew Marie Curie as well as a "points to ponder" section in each chapter are designed to provoke further discussion and research into the life and career of one of the century''s greatest scientists and-as Rollyson shows-one of the most important figures in human history.

At a time when the ethics of science and of scientists has been called into question, Rollyson''s searching examination of Madame Curie''s methods and morality makes this a sharply focused and challenging biography.

The Marie Curie that emerges from this account is a woman of great integrity and self-discipline, acutely conscious of her historic role, keenly devoted to protecting her private life, and yet willing to shape her personality to the public roles demanded of her.