This book is an enthusiastic account of Pierre Laszlo's life and pioneering work on catalysis of organic reactions by modified clays, and his reflections on doing science from the 1960s to 1990s. In this autobiography, readers will discover a first-hand testimony of the chemical revolution in the second half of the 20th century, and the author's perspective on finding a calling in science and chemistry, as well as his own experience on doing science, teaching science and managing a scientific career. During this period, Pierre Laszlo led an academic laboratory and worked also in three different countries: the US, Belgium and France, where he had the opportunity to meet remarkable colleagues. In this book, he recalls his encounters and collaborations with important scientists, who shaped the nature of chemistry at times of increased pace of change, and collates a portrait of the worldwide scientific community at that time. In addition, the author tells us about the turns and twists of his own life, and how he ended up focusing his research on clay based chemistry, where clay minerals were turned in his lab to catalysis of key chemical transformations. Given its breath, the book offers a genuine information on the life and career of a chemist, and it will appeal not only to scientists and students, but also to historians of science and to the general reader.

'Long, thin, and cool as hell' was how parasitologist Thomas Platt described the new genus and species of trematode (Baracktrema obamai) he named in honor of the 44th USA president and his 5th cousin, Barack Obama. The story of Baracktrema was picked up by over 200 news outlets worldwide, providing a fitting swansong to an illustrious career revisited in this part-personal and part-scientific memoir.Platt's road to success was not initially smooth. Faced with a brutal tenure rejection at the start of his career, he was told that 'You are not the type of person we want to invest in for the next 30 years.' After a brief stint in the business world, Platt bounced back in spectacular fashion by embarking on a successful 28-year career at Saint Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana. He traveled extensively in search of new species of parasitic worms, from neighboring Costa Rica to the far-flung reaches of Australia and Malaysia. His love of turtles and their parasites led to the discovery of 30 new species, 11 new genera, and international recognition. He provides perspectives on the places and people encountered along the way, details of interactions with wildlife, as well as interesting and accessible insights into parasite behavior in the external environment and with their hosts.SMALL SCIENCE is an inspiring story of an unexceptional high school student's path through college, graduate school, the academy, and a successful research career in 'small science' - the science of parasites, and the science of work accomplished in the margins, in the time carved out from a heavy teaching load, committee assignments, and mentoring dedicated undergraduate women in the joy of scientific discovery.

'Long, thin, and cool as hell' was how parasitologist Thomas Platt described the new genus and species of trematode (Baracktrema obamai) he named in honor of the 44th USA president and his 5th cousin, Barack Obama. The story of Baracktrema was picked up by over 200 news outlets worldwide, providing a fitting swansong to an illustrious career revisited in this part-personal and part-scientific memoir.Platt's road to success was not initially smooth. Faced with a brutal tenure rejection at the start of his career, he was told that 'You are not the type of person we want to invest in for the next 30 years.' After a brief stint in the business world, Platt bounced back in spectacular fashion by embarking on a successful 28-year career at Saint Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana. He traveled extensively in search of new species of parasitic worms, from neighboring Costa Rica to the far-flung reaches of Australia and Malaysia. His love of turtles and their parasites led to the discovery of 30 new species, 11 new genera, and international recognition. He provides perspectives on the places and people encountered along the way, details of interactions with wildlife, as well as interesting and accessible insights into parasite behavior in the external environment and with their hosts.SMALL SCIENCE is an inspiring story of an unexceptional high school student's path through college, graduate school, the academy, and a successful research career in 'small science' - the science of parasites, and the science of work accomplished in the margins, in the time carved out from a heavy teaching load, committee assignments, and mentoring dedicated undergraduate women in the joy of scientific discovery.

In this sometime amusing, sometime challenging journey through fifty years of Nursing, this author presents her favorite memoirs. Beginning as a young sixteen year-old Nurse Aide in the early 1960's, her long walk through Nursing launches in a small town hospital in the south. She moves you through youthful learning experiences, Nurse trainings, personal struggles with choices, and lessons learned in life. Her progression through young adulthood addresses concerns of leaving her own children to care for patients, and all the usual parenting versus career issues young Mothers deal with. Her sometimes joyful, sometimes stressful Nursing world is described from her early education throughout Nursing positions in many settings. Her return to college as a mature woman to achieve further degrees is certainly respectable. Watching a young and naive girl grow into a successful, confident Nurse, with experience in several arenas will delight and entertain you. Anyone who is interested in the field of Nursing must travel this journey with this Nurse. She is now considering retirement, and is in a quandry. Nursing is her life, and walking away is difficult You will quickly realize "Just Why On Earth Anyone Would Ever Want To Be A Nurse "