"Into the writing of this definitive biography of the great woman scientist, Eve Curie has brought the skill of a trained writer, the research of a scientist, and the love of a daughter. She describes her mother's early years in which she surmounted all hardships to pursue the course she had chosen, then the tragic death of her husband, and finally her pressing on to new and greater heights of achievement, totally oblivious to fame, honour and health. The world knows the record of her career, but for the first time reads of her background and private life."

Vincent Sheean, translator. Includes index.

Manya -- Dark days -- Adolescence -- Vocations -- Governess -- The long wait -- The escape -- Paris -- Forty rubles a month -- Pierre Curie -- A young couple -- The discovery of radium -- Four years in a shed -- A hard life -- A doctor's thesis -- and five minutes's talk -- The enemy -- Every day -- April 19, 1906 -- Alone -- Successes and ordeals -- War -- Peace : holidays in Larcouëst -- America -- Full bloom -- On the Île de Saint-Louis -- The laboratory -- The end of the mission.