Pamela Ryckman

(5) A lend from a scientist friend of mine. What a fascinating woman. It is interesting to read about the prototype of a mad scientist, crazy genius, egotistical cult of personality in a woman. For that alone the book is worth reading. Pert was a PhD level molecular biologist of some sort fighting to be a PI in a man's world but doing it in her own outrageous way. She is credited for discovering the opiate receptor in the brain and the creator of the infamous Peptide T, the miracle cure for AIDS that never was. Her story is fascinating and as the author points out - very difficult to suss out who is the villain and who the hero. Just how are we supposed to feel about Pert in the end? Conflicted.

Conflicted also sums up my feelings about this book. I enjoyed it until the whole ~ last 1/3rd or so of the book that mainly dealt with nefarious business arrangements, changes of allegiances, patents, shell companies, investors what have you. My eyes glazed over and I was ready for it to be finished. I also got the feeling that there was so much more that could have been written but that only certain people would talk to this reporter/quasi-biographer. That being said, I thought the author did an excellent job with objectivity and didn't shy away from moral ambiguity yet tried to hypothesize motivations assuming the best intentions of all involved. That is quite a feat.

Overall, I am glad I read. It reminded me of several other (even better) books about female scientists and/or neurobiology/mental illness - -Lab Girl' by Hope Jaren, 'Hidden Valley Road' by Robert Kolker , and 'Brain of Fire' by Susannah Calahan. Thematically excellent. I would love a series on more modern controversial female luminaries… (mehr)