Have you ever thought about the origin of life? Scientists do.
Endless Ceiling is a personal exploration of the history, philosophy, politics and practice of natural science, infused with real-life anecdotes. If you like chemistry or want to learn more about it, this is the book for you!
Author Ralph A. Magnotti, Jr. is a PhD clinical chemist, teacher and entrepreneur. His inventions include the first multisource photometric device, the first FDA-approved kit for diagnosis of pesticide exposure and the first rapid test for the milk poison melamine-identified by the WHO as one of the most serious food safety issues in recent memory.
The book begins with an explosive contradiction between rival experimental results, settled by a famous authority. It ends with a more hypothetical contradiction that is left for the reader to decide-the origin of life.
The author's story begins with a small boy's wishful encounter in Japan with a magical wizard. Afterwards he learns many valuable lessons that carry him through the development of the American democratic socialist movement and stints in medical biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, and electrochemistry. When he switches to clinical chemistry, his first invention launches a successful startup, eventually leading to scientific management of a leading tech company. A personal renewal begins an ultimately successful resolution of an old curiosity: the origin of life question.
Each episode builds knowledge for the next, weaving together the struggles for scientific understanding and moral truth.
Graphic artist Leah Silverman introduces each chapter with her gorgeously insightful renderings, perfectly setting the mood for the words that follow. Her Endless Ceiling (Chapter 18) drawing won a Top 100 award in the 2021 Mobile Digital Art & Creativity (MDAC) Summit, Palo Alto,
California.
About the Author :
Author Ralph A. Magnotti, Jr. is a PhD clinical chemist, teacher and entrepreneur. His inventions include the first multisource photometric device, the first FDA-approved kit for diagnosis of pesticide exposure and the first rapid test for the milk poison melamine-identified by the WHO as one of the most serious food safety issues in recent memory. Graphic artist Leah Silverman introduces each chapter with her gorgeously insightful renderings, perfectly setting the mood for the words that follow. Her Endless Ceiling (Chapter 18) drawing won a Top 100 award in the 2021 Mobile Digital Art & Creativity (MDAC) Summit, Palo Alto, California.
Review :
Excerpts from Reviews of Endless Ceiling
by students of the College of William & Mary
"As a young person who aspires to enter a field of research, books like this which give a first-person account of what types of experiences I can expect to have as a researcher seem like a valuable resource that could help me imagine a future for myself as a scientist. I would recommend this book to other people who are interested in science, especially a career in science." - N.B.
"The biggest takeaway I got from the book was the many different directions there are to conduct research and either create a product or just to learn something new." - S.V.
"It is not an easy task to find works written through the first-person narrative of a scientist, let alone one that's as in depth and as engaging as Endless Ceiling. I would most definitely recommend this book to any future aspiring scientists who not only want a better insight into a scholar and an inventor's life-long journey but also gain an experienced chemist's perspective on the beginnings of life on Earth." - P.C.
"Overall, I found the book to be fascinating, informative, and captivating. The way you approach and talk about ideas and projects that ended up going nowhere was very refreshing. Obviously, the problems you chose to include in the book have a resolution (whether satisfying or not), but it does not feel like you've cherry-picked projects." - W.L.
"It is a perfect example of lifelong learning-we use our past experiences to shape how we solve the problems in front of us. The author does an excellent job of showing, rather than telling, how he achieves this throughout his work in the field of chemistry. While I certainly cannot relate to being a highly qualified analytical chemist, it is the pervasive storyline of discovering new passions through curiosity and inquiry that kept me intrigued throughout the many anecdotes that make up this book." - R.P.
"Perhaps most importantly, he highlights the power of perseverance and diligence over his entire story. Magnotti makes it clear that even when faced with a vast array of obstacles in the form of fastidious lab superintendents or company buyouts or a lack of study skills, there is always a path forward." - C.F.
"I enjoyed the interconnectedness of subjects in this book. Your personal stories mix well with historical stories about science. The book covers many subjects; history, politics, chemistry, and philosophy are all represented." - H.S.
"Endless Ceiling is an enjoyable journey through Dr. Magnotti's life as a working scientist, including his ventures in the field and his musings about the origin of life in the universe and science itself as a field. As a student starting her journey to becoming a professional scientist, I really appreciated a look into the victories, difficulties, and turbulence that can come with my future profession of choice. The art was a delight, as were the stories, theories, and profound realizations about science sprinkled throughout the book." - D.K.
"I greatly appreciated the book's welcoming tone and comprehensible prose, which made me feel that I was learning without a sense of condescension. Additionally, I enjoyed your sense of humor and your employment of fun anecdotes and pop-culture references. These allowed the novel to stay grounded and maintain a lighter tone, greatly adding to the reading experience. I greatly enjoyed the concluding chapters, where you present your theory of the origin of life in the universe. After learning your thoughts, I am inspired to delve further into the subject." - Z.S.
"Regarding the introductory lyric to Chapter 31 [Deb Talan, I Wake in Joy], I like it a lot. It is clever, well-placed, and simply sums up life." - M.H.
