There’s much here that is charming and comfortable: an eminent man sharing tales of a bygone era.

Some of Mr. Parisi’s essays here arose from articles or public lectures, others from interviews, making the collection more like a series of snapshots than a continuous narrative. While the scientific explanations are admirably lucid, the tone is somewhat dry and the human side of research gets less attention than one might hope for..

Most importantly, the deceptively slim volume serves as a forceful argument for the value of scientific literacy at a time when it’s increasingly being challenged by misinformation.

While the scientific lingo can feel a little overwhelming at times, readers who persist through to the end will likely find themselves enlightened and eager to listen and learn..

Throughout, Parisi’s voice is amiable and conversational, which endows the book with the feel of a conversation with a wise and generous elder. However, each of the chapters is wildly different in tone and content. While some passages read like literary memoir, others read like dry excerpts from textbooks.