The never-before-told account of the intersection of some of the most insightful minds of the 20th century, and a fascinating look at how war, resistance, and friendship can catalyze genius. In the spring of 1940, the aspiring but unknown writer Albert Camus and budding scientist Jacques Monod were quietly pursuing ordinary, separate lives in Paris. After the German invasion and occupation of … invasion and occupation of France, each joined the Resistance to help liberate the country from the Nazis and ascended to prominent, dangerous roles. After the war and through twists of circumstance, they became friends, and through their passionate determination and rare talent they emerged as leading voices of modern literature and biology, each receiving the Nobel Prize in their respective fields.
Drawing upon a wealth of previously unpublished and unknown material gathered over several years of research, Brave Genius tells the story of how each man endured the most terrible episode of the twentieth century and then blossomed into extraordinarily creative and engaged individuals. It is a story of the transformation of ordinary lives into exceptional lives by extraordinary events–of courage in the face of overwhelming adversity, the flowering of creative genius, deep friendship, and of profound concern for and insight into the human condition.
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A brave, ambitious, unexpected book. Who knew that Sean B. Carroll, a brilliant biologist, could or would write such a work of literary, political, and scientific history? It brings many revelations, offers several heroes, but at its heart is Jacques Monod, emerging as one of the great, complete men of the 20th century.
A remarkable profile. With deep research and compelling story-telling, Sean Carroll follows these two Nobel-prize winners from the desperate depths of World War II to international fame.
A tour de force, a gripping narrative of a pivotal time in the history of Europe and of science. Finishing Brave Genius, I felt inspired by the determination of the key characters in the book, by their quest for liberty in the face of great injustice, and by the power their discoveries gave to understanding the living world.
Excellent writing and a reality page-turner! This is an amazing exposure of the realities on the ground within the French Resistance of WWII and the subsequent struggles in Europe for freedom from totalitarian control. I have learned so much about this part of history that affects us, even today. So glad I read it. I highly recommend it.
This book will probably be enjoyed by older readers who actually remember WWII. It presents a good but brief representation of the runup to the start of the war which provides context for the remainder of the story. The courage of individuals who risked their lives to oppose the Nazi occupation of France was deeply heroic. Young people should be familiar with this story, and others like it, so as to familiarize themselves with how true patriots react to oppression.
Art and science are two essential components forming the very essence of what makes being human worth being human. Sean Carroll has done a yeoman’s job of merging these two vital areas beautifully in this moving and carefully researched history of two great minds and two brave men… It is impossible not to be inspired by their story.
Documents the beginning of WWII in France from the Parisian view, the capitulation of the Petain government, the heroic efforts of the resistance and the role of Monod and Camus in the resistance. The writing style is exquisite and the narrative captivating. Both Camus and Monod began the work leading to their Nobels in 1957 and 1965, respectively.
A true story of historic relevance. . France before, during and after WWII
Wonderfully informative about the two protagonists AND, thru their real-life roles therein, about the importance of the French Underground in WW II. It also is profound how the existential philosophies of both very different Nobel winners blend, despite the relatively short professional life of Camus. And the book is beautifully written.
Amazing piece of history everyone should read.
As a scientist who was an undergraduate microbiology student in the 1960’s, I was fascinated by the backstory of Monod and Jacob. I remember struggling though lectures and textbooks that could not be as clear as they would ultimately become – due to the remarkably new nature of the scientific field that was developing. It was fascinating to follow the history of the understanding of messenger RNA, before technology made it possible to take the insights of a relatively small group of scientists into experimental reality.
I was also amazed at the experiences of Monod, Jacob and Camus during the Resistance, and their roles in the time of Occupation and the subsequent Cold War. As a child of the 60s, and an anti-war demonstrator, I was also attracted to existentialism and became a reader of Camus – and to see the relationship and parallel intellectual development of Camus and Monod was stunning. It was intriguing to see the position Sartre took in regard to Communism, and the break with Camus – primarily over the willingness of a set of thinkers to accept violence and totalitarianism as an alternative to – totalitarianism and violence.
The philosophical and spiritual authenticity and transparency of Camus came across very clearly in this book. In many ways, I think Camus was wasted on me as a young person. Of course, his influence on me in the 60s was profound, but now that years have passed, in reading Brave Genius, I see how much I missed. And now how much more I can comprehend.
The book is a work of art – in the sense that the author was able to let me feel what he was feeling as he wrote it. And how Camus and Monod felt when they lived their lives. And to see something of myself in his story as I developed many of the same viewpoints from then (as an undergrad) until now, as a person nearing retirement age.
The intellectual journey of reading this book has prepared me for how I would like to provide insight to my students, staff, children and grandchildren. I can think of no higher compliment to the author and his subjects than to say that I will use what I knew better now, and that I have learned new things that I will seek to apply now in better ways.
And these are days in which the lessons of Camus and Monod are once again greatly needed. It is a privilege to have become a reader of Brave Genius.