Radiant: The Dancer, the Scientist, and a Friendship Forged in Light

How wonderful that science populariser Liz Heinecke has commendably combined art with science in this engrossing story of two determined and indefatigable women who followed their passions, one in dance and the other in science. While the name of Marie Curie is carved in history, the story of the innovative dancer Loie Fuller has faded with time. Both names are associated with luminescence, the first with radioactivity and radium and the latter with phosphorescent light displays in choreographic performances. This feature of radiant energy emanation ignited their friendship. The stories of these two remarkable, radiant women who endured the prevalent anti-feminine bias of their culture grips the reader as one learns how the dancer innovated stage lighting, manipulated projectors, and used her chemical salts to create mesmerizing magical theater images. While the narrative of Madame Curie remains familiar, it is vital to review the development of radium. Noted individuals such as Edison, Rodin, Einstein, Saint-Saens, Isadora Duncan, Becquerel, Eiffel, Queen of Romania and many others embellish this story. Based on historical facts, the author seams the data together to produce an inspiring story that revives the memory of how barriers can be broken by intrepid individuals, in this case, two very extraordinary women.