Letters to a Young Scientist

So, I was more than a little surprised that a new book by EO Wilson was out for more than 8 seconds without a single review yet posted on Amazon. I rarely write a review unless I feel passionately about an item -- at one end of the spectrum or another -- but I could not resist the chance to write the first review for a book by a scientist whom I revere and admire for his indomitable energy and unrelenting productivity.I should preface my review by acknowledging that I am a somewhat biased devotee of Wilson's in that I think he and I share much in common: I am a snake biologist (Professor Wilson was nicknamed "Snake" by his comrades as a teenager, as he went through a three-year stint as an amateur ophiologist [a fancy word for "snake biologist"] before he turned to studying ants), I'm a Southerner (He is too.), I'm an evolutionary biologist (He is too.), an Eagle Scout (So is he.), a science educator (yep, you guessed it...), and I am a proponent of conserving biodiversity (and Ed is the proverbial Patriarch and Anointed High Priest of that unifying concept in science). I mention these aforementioned biases not to share my résumé, but because this book bends to all of those, among others. And so, as I rightly guessed, Mr. Wilson would draw upon a lot of these shared interests in order to make his points and teach us. (This may be a downside for those of you who connect more readily with chemistry, physics, or astronomy examples. This book might have been more aptly called "Letters to a Young Biologist", but I think the title the publishers went with is the right one.)I am also among Wilson's target readers -- young aspiring scientists, but more emphatically -- anyone who would love to be a success as a scientist. This book has helped me feel less daunted by the sometimes mistaken commonly perceived demands of science."Letters to a Young Scientist" is a clarion call for many MANY more people to join the ranks of natural scientists and to embrace a life of scientific investigation. Ed Wilson leaves no one with room for excuses to fail in this endeavor. He addresses the concept (or reality?) that if we humans are to survive the foreseeable future, we need to be a science-minded people.Perhaps some of the most comforting aspects of the book are that Wilson belabors the point that you don't need to be a math wiz or even have a high IQ to be a great scientist. (Ed did not take Calculus until he was a 32-year-old professor at Harvard, and his grade was a C.) He divulges his own IQ as a modest "If I can do it without genius levels, you can too" admission. In fact, he argues that a high IQ can be something of a detriment to a scientific career.Since many readers are likely to also be followers of Wilson's other works and thus, interested in biology, another book that I have found to have been written in a similar spirit of deep caring and empathy for the non-stereotypical and uninitiated scientist is  Reading the Story in DNA: A Beginner's Guide to Molecular Evolution ; it is written for the scientist interested in the whole organism, but who wants to understand how to DO and get started on molecular evolution research and techniques, WITHOUT all of the math. I think you'll love it.Okay. Now, back to "Letters"...Do I agree with everything written in this collection of sagely correspondence? No. One such point of contention for me was when Wilson admonished readers on how many hours they should expect to devote to teaching, administrative duties, research, etc if they choose an academic profession -- the part I didn't like was when he says [paraphrasing], "Only rest from work and seek diversion on weekends. Don't take vacations; real scientists don't take vacations. They go on field trips." As a herpetologist, I know of several friends and colleagues who use their vacation-time to take their families looking for snakes (for fun and research) in prime, wonderful habitat; they have formed rich memories that lasted a lifetime, and all family members seem to have enjoyed those times and remember them with fondness. I do hope to adopt that with my toddler. And perhaps Wilson's assertion is slightly tongue-in-cheek here, BUT, as a father, I'm also cautious to not subject my son in his vacation time to always doing dad's hobby or livelihood. And hey, I love Disney World, so my son won't know it's not totally for him. ;) But, once again, I digress...If you have already read other works by Wilson, you will likely see some redundancy of ideas and stories in this book, such as his informal rules of biological evolution he has pointed out in  Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge , for instance (i.e.. "For every unanswered problem or question in nature, there exists a species suited to solving that problem."). You will also hear of how he and MacArthur came up with the Theory of Island Biogeography. He uses his collection of examples and ideas as a teaching tool for how to think and create like a scientist. And keep in mind, this book is meant as an introductory rabble-rouser, in the best sense -- as a shot in the arm for the passionate tenderfoot -- so some review of Wilson's life's work is expected, albeit it is in a fresh, new light.And there are new nuggets of wisdom gleaned from over 60 years as an Ivy League researcher. He has offered two different ways that convergently lead to the formation of a scientist: (1) the problem-solver who often employs models -- organismal or otherwise -- to get to the bottom of unanswered questions, and (2) the naturalist who loves and finds pleasure in his or her favorite species or phenomenon for the sake of its mere existence, who tries to learn all that is currently known on the topic, and is naturally led to questions. Again, since Wilson is drawing on his own experience, he mostly explores the latter pathway to sciencedom.Overall, I would highly encourage young and old scientists to read this book. It is, as the title suggests, non-technical, and is suitable for high schoolers and mature-minded middle schoolers. (And older.) E.O. Wilson can indeed offer advice on most aspects of doing science, from encouraging "quick and sloppy" experiments on a whim (some of his own produced no noteworthy results for him at all; others paid handsome dividends beyond reasonable hope), the importance of daydreaming and fantasizing about science, taking the responsibility of being a world expert on a subject (which he asserts is often easier and quicker than most people think), to devising testable and successful frameworks of conceptual knowledge that we call scientific theories.I've a very sorry track record when it comes to finishing books, but I read this one in three or four days quite easily. It's a quick read, even for this notoriously slow, easily distracted reader. The main idea of this book is that you don't need to fit the stereotype of a scientist (e.g. math wiz, genius, poor communicator [I added that last one]) in order to be a good scientist. AND if you don't fit the stereotype, you are exactly what the world and scientific community at large really lacks. Ed Wilson says that the world needs your unique talents, badly. I agree. Happy reading! I would recommend this book as a gift to young people. Buy a copy, read it yourself, and then give it away.

I firmly believe that this should be required reading for anyone passionate about, or wanting to study biology. This is by far the most readable of all of his books. I gave my first copy away to a young researcher I met in a bar who was discouraged with their career in science so far. I never heard back from them, but I hope they found it as inspiring as I did.

In this book, Wilson has composed letters to potential and/ or current scientists. Wilson offers practical advice as well as encouragement in each letter, or chapter. The letters are divided into 5 sections, which are 1) The Path to Follow; 2)The Creative Process; 3) A Life In Science; 4) Theory And The Big Picture; and 5)Truth And Ethics. The theme of this entire book seems to be that if one aspires to be a scientist, passion will far exceed being “book smart” or having a high IQ. Here are some of Wilson’s best pieces of advice:1. Put passion ahead of training because decision and hard work based on passion will never fail you2. Real progress comes from writing notes in the field or doodling on paper in the office or struggling to explain something to a friend3. Look for a domain that is “sparsely inhabited” when looking for an area to study4. Better to know one thing in depth than a dozen things at their surface only5. Enjoy studying creatures under natural conditions6. All of great science has its roots in fantasy7. Commit a good part of your career to being an explorer8. Make time for full-time research even if you have to take sabbaticals and other paid leaves9. Uncontrolled experiments that are quick are often very productive10. Just get out there and do it!Even though I do find this book helpful, there are two points that trouble me. One is point #4 above. Wilson mentions several times throughout how important it is to know one thing in depth. However, he seems to forget that what makes a good naturalist is that he or she usually very knowledgeable in many areas. I know several naturalists who I would call “expert generalists.”Secondly, while I do appreciate Wilson’s honesty and candor, I do not quite understand why some great scientists feel the need to bring religion into the discussion just to bash it. In chapter 4, titled What is Science?, Wilson initially states that “the scientific method has been consistently better than religion beliefs in explaining the origin and meaning of humanity”(p.63). I do not see any sources to show this. Also, how one would explain the meaning of humanity scientifically? He follows that statement by saying that when these creation stories have been tested in the real world “they have so far proved wrong, always wrong” (p.63). Again, there are no sources cited to back up this statement. Wilson then closes this chapter by saying, “As a scientist, keep your mind open to any possible phenomenon remaining in the great unknown. But never forget that your profession is exploration of the real world, with no preconceptions or idols of the mind accepted, and testable truth the only coin of the realm” (p.67). This last statement is great advice to a scientist. When applied to religion and creation stories, however, Wilson would do well to listen to his own advice when it comes to being open-minded, having no preconceptions, and also bashing something that really cannot be scientifically tested in the first place. Being both “religious” and a young scientist are not mutually exclusive.All in all, this book does offer great advice for anyone wanting to go into a field of science, especially as a researcher. There are nuggets of information that will keep one motivated.

Not what to say. It is a book you there like it or you don't when you read it. I could tell you about it but why would I spoil it here.

Best book ever

It’s a super good book! I highly recommended it to my students.

Well, when you are just an undergrad student, beginning this long and sinuous road of scientific carrier, it's good to have some tips and listen to - in this case, read - some examples of some of those famous names that have already found their beach house in the end of the trip. It's an excellent book, even if you are in the taxonomy research area as I am. Wilson's write in a very personal way and you feel like he's talking to you directly. If you are feeling like things are to hard and nothing goes well, just take a read at one chapter and you'll see that it happens to everybody. Or, with you're in a much earlier stage, like preparing yourself to start in the scientific area, you'll find nice tips to guide you in your choices.I think this book was write with this purpose and it does well.

Mesmo portando uma escrita sofisticada em termos biológicos, o livro atende às expectativas de quem procura conselhos, pontos de vista balizados e uma conduta impecável sobre a ciência, o método e a ética. Tem, verdadeiramente, o poder de ser um guia para os pesquisadores mais ávidos.

The book is more like an autobiography. I am an admirer of Wilson, so I enjoyed it. I am not a young scientist, but I was interested in comparing my career with his background, and I found several similarities. Some of his tips may put off young scientists, but he is right on.