(7/21/2020)
This a is a great story, autobiographical, about Sara Seager. Rarely do we get to read what goes into the making of an astrophysicist. The author describes her fascination with stars when she was a young girl, struggling with the break-up of her parents, and the challenges of frequent moves, and multiple schools. She describes her "ah hah" moment when she learned that if she studied harder, she could easily excel in school. ... leading to Harvard and MIT.
It is fascinating to read her thought process dealing with trying to fit in at college – not easy. Fitting in at MIT, where no idea was considered too outlandish to try – that worked for her. Her writing is excellent, and transparent as she describes her life as a single parent of two boys after losing her husband to cancer. I saw it as a model, and a road map of making a very crummy set of circumstances work out well, using unusual ideas. Taking a working vacation? Take along your friends and helpers so you can attend conferences, AND see the sights with your sons.
The author is a very intelligent, well-educated woman who is successful in an unusual career. Her life is not gilded; it's hard. She comes across as a very real person, who suffers great loss and great success. I loved her story, and read it in just a few days