Max Perutz earned the 1962 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in the molecular structure of hemoglobin. He was also a prolific letter writer. This edited collection chronicles the hopes, obstacles, and moments of elation in his 60-year career. Narrated against a backdrop of family and friends, politics, war, literature, and Max's beloved mountains, the letters provide insight into Perutz's youth in Vienna, his years as a young scientist in Cambridge, his secret work for the British to build a floating ice airstrip in the North Atlantic, and his advocacy work. The book also includes an essay by one of Perutz's research students, plus b&w photos from personal collections. Editor Vivien Perutz, Max's daughter, was assisted in assembling the collection by Alan Weeds, a scientist who worked at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and Brenda Simms, professor of the history of international relations at the University of Cambridge. Annotation 2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
