“A riveting, thorough, and entertaining account about the attribution of credit for important scientific discoveries…[Meyers’] thorough research pays dividends with the portraits he composes of the various personalities involved. These personal portraits are not flattering nor are they demeaning; the author carefully constructs the narratives to avoid evoking sympathy or disdain from the reader…I highly recommend this book for anyone who wishes to gain a deeper insight into the conduct of science and its consequences.”
– Journal of the American Medical Association
“The ‘dark side’ of scientific research is the focus of…Morton Meyers’s enjoyable, if disquieting, book PRIZE FIGHT. More particularly, the Machiavellian behaviour that inevitably arises from scientists’ desire for recognition and reward — especially a Nobel prize — alongside the more publicly acceptable satisfaction of discovery and applying ground-breaking knowledge. Think James Watson’s famed account of discovering the structure of DNA, The Double Helix.”
– New Scientist
“Meyers analyzes how credit has been doled out in major scientific discoveries , including the creation of MRI and the development of streptomycin. Readers come away with an enhanced understanding of the conflicting impulses that drive scientists and of the historical context behind present-day research scandals.”
– Scientific American
“Scientists like to see themselves — or at least to present themselves — as altruistic and unselfish pursuers of truth. But if scientists merely want to make discoveries that improve the world and increase the bounds of human knowledge, why expend so much energy clamoring for credit? That’s the central question of Morton Meyers’s new book, PRIZE FIGHT: The Race and the Rivalry to be the First in Science.”
– Science
“Meyers uses Prize Fight to muse on the obsession with awards and publication in top-flight periodicals which can ultimately devalue the passion and ingenuity of so many who will never share that limelight. External validation by one’s peers is an important driver of ambition. Taken to pathological extremes, the drive to satisfy this need fuels unethical behavior and scientific misconduct.”
– Nature
“A lively account of scientists’ striving for recognition and credit for their discoveries…Meyers illustrates the weaknesses of peer review, the inadequacies of processes by which prize winners are selected and the inaccuracies of merit systems that link scientific work to tenure, promotion, grants and prestige …Scientists and lay readers alike will appreciate, as I did, this fascinating tour through some particularly unsavory aspects of science.”
– Nature Medicine
“Introduces the reader to the culture of modern biomedical science with its relentless pressures, cutthroat competition, and outsized egos … A very engaging book. At a superficial level, the reader can enjoy a wealth of interesting investigation into rivalries and the dark side of science. However, at every level, Prize Fight is well worth reading.”
– The Pharos
“A detached and balanced historical and documented review… Much of the documentation of opinions is through the eyes of others involved in the MRI story; the author’s own opinions seemingly hidden behind factual narrative. Meyers’ writing is extremely articulate, skillful and the style eloquent. The book is captivating and easily digested.”
– Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
“A fascinating account of the scientific issues involved as well as the political aspects of the disputes. A thought-provoking examination of the political side of high-stakes science.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“A magnificent storyteller…Prize Fight is a delicious insightful view into the underbelly of the medical world and deserves a large readership…Highly recommended.”
– Choice Reviews
“Meyers’ perceptive book will engage readers interested in the ethics and emotions of scientific research.”
– Booklist Reviews
“The stories are compelling…This book helps keep scientists honest.”
– Library Journal Reviews
“A fascinating look into the personalities, egos, and chicanery that goes into the science that leads to fame, fortune, and prizes such as the Nobel … If you have ever worked in health care, been a scientist of any kind, or just wondered how prizes for science are awarded, this book is for you.”
– The Webber Family Bookshelf
“Brings to vivid life … [the] human story – full of passion, drama, competition, and some very nasty rivalries … Prize Fight is a good read for those who want the human dimension of science.”
– Chemical Heritage Magazine
“An eye-opening and thought-provoking read, both for researchers working in science and laypeople interested in acquiring a deeper understanding of scientific motivations…An exploration of the lengths some scientists will go for credit, fame, and glory.”
– Chemical and Engineering News (of the American Chemical Society)
“Discusses seriously subjects of concern … namely the attribution of credit in the pursuit of esteem and priority, mentors, peer review, questions of scientific misconduct and even fraud … Perceptive and entertaining.”
– Contemporary Physics
“The first book to examine the prevalence of disputes over recognition and reward in modern science.”
– Robert Root-Bernstein, author of Sparks of Genius
“This well-written book includes a series of eye-opening case studies of acrimonious conflicts over credit for scientific discoveries.”
– James E. Till, Albert Lasker Award winner for the codiscovery of stem cells
“Meyers brings personal knowledge of one of medicine’s longest running feuds to illuminate an area of science that often seems more dominated by the politics of power than by the excitement of discovery.”
– Sharon McGrayne, author of The Theory That Would Not Die
“Scientists behave very badly indeed in this bracing polemic about endemic theft, fraud, and greed in the hallowed halls of science.”
– John Seabrook, New Yorker staff writer and author of Flash of Genius
“A dramatic look at some of the most notable discoveries in science in recent years … Why the 2003 Nobel Prize in Medicine exposed how often scientific objectivity is imperiled.”
– The Guardian (UK)
“Assigning credit for scientific advances can be a tricky business…Meyers investigates two high profile cases in medical science, looking at them in depth and showing just how complicated assigning due credit can be. The first story concerns the discovery of streptomycin…The second examines the rivalry between magnetic resonance imaging pioneers…[The book’s ] stories ring true across all fields. Meyers structures the stories so that the reader will change their opinion throughout the book, showing just how difficult it is to arbitrate on cases like these. As he concludes, awareness of these issues could help to prevent them happening again in the future, but perhaps that’s just wishful thinking.”
– Chemistry World (Royal Society of Chemistry) (UK)
“A salutary account of controversies over allocating credit for scientific discoveries.”
– Prospect (UK)
“Estimable … anecdote-rich.”
– Literary Review (UK)