Description

In this beautifully illustrated collection of essays, Maria Popova, creator of The Marginalian, explores the human pursuit of truth and beauty through the intertwined worlds of science and poetry. As she notes in her introduction, both disciplines serve as “instruments for knowing the world more intimately and loving it more deeply.”

Spanning 15 essays, Popova delves into topics such as the enigma of dark matter, the boundlessness of pi, the adaptability of trees, and the intelligence of octopuses. She brings to life the journeys of scientific discovery, weaving them together with the personal stories of the scientists behind them—many of whom are women and often overlooked—and the poets who found inspiration in the same mysteries.

Each essay is accompanied by a poem that reflects its theme, featuring works by renowned poets such as Emily Dickinson, W. H. Auden, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Maya Angelou, Diane Ackerman, and Tracy K. Smith. The essays are further brought to life with striking illustrations by acclaimed artist Ofra Amit.

Together, these essays, poems, and illustrations illuminate a world brimming with wonder, inviting readers to see reality in a new and radiant light.