It is now six months since the publication of my “Uncharted journey from Riga” and it is interesting to muse on the variety of responses to my book. My book covers a significant period of time and as a result covers not only different periods in my personal and professional history, but also puts them in terms of world history and dramatic social changes in those time periods.
My experience of the events before, during and after WWII, have probably garnered the most attention, since those turbulent years, places and experiences have faded from historical memory and are essentially unknown to the current generation. Our world changed so much in the last half of the 20th century, that now after almost a quarter of the 21st century the events of those years take on an almost unreal quality.
And yet, current events have brought refugees not only from Africa, the Middle East, S. America, but also once more from war stressed Europe. Being a refugee and ingenuity necessary to cope with this condition resonates to many as a unique experience in human survival worth examining. Many readers have appreciated descriptions of the strong personal friendships and their role in enriching this journey.
Non-scientists have found my research chapters a challenge. They depict the actual work that consumed my interest those many years, and thus were the foundation and the framework for engaging the reader in my academic struggles as a woman scientist. Those chapters have resonated with many as “Women in Science” have come a long way since those days.
I’m continuing to be amazed at the different aspects of the book individuals find interesting and exciting. Many of their comments are related to their own perceptions and experiences, from relationships to music, cooking, gardening, or past research experience in molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology.
