George Washington Carver

July 13, 2015
Carver looms large as an early 20th-century peanut scientist and inventor from Booker T. Washington’s famed Tuskegee Institute, but historian Vella (Indecent Secrets) reveals how he survived not only a hardscrabble youth, but also the underfurnished, intrigue-plagued school where he solidified his reputation. Carver, a dark-skinned, penniless orphan who was once briefly abducted, used his mild-mannered nature and deep work ethic to earn a reputation as a renowned speaker and to develop correspondences with the likes of Henry Ford and Mahatma Gandhi. Vella ensures that Carver remains a relatable figure throughout this engaging narrative. Since Carver’s own early autobiographical stories often proved unreliable, Vella uses both official records and a multitude of anecdotes from his close friends to flesh out his story. Carver’s passion for religion, which included long periods of intense devotion and proselytization in which he melded religion and science, adds dimension to his usual portrayal as a friendly workaholic whose exuberance sometimes exceeded his listeners’ patience. As Vella notes, Carver “wanted his race to be recognized through him,” and she describes several of Carver’s noteworthy inventions in addition to his talent for art. But it’s Carver’s genuine warmth that shines in this story, as he navigates both white and black societies while producing scientific achievements that benefited all.

September 1, 2015

When science takes hold in an artist's heart, we get someone like George Washington Carver (d. 1943). Vella (history, Tulane Univ.; The Two Worlds of the Baroness de Pontalba) describes how Carver had a passion for teaching and sharing his research and knowledge and the drive to make it through school by washing clothes and doing whatever odd jobs he could find. He struggled but became a PhD and one of the great men of botany who shaped how we garden and farm today. The author goes into sharp detail, revealing different perspectives and sometimes different versions of the episodes of Carver's life. Vella shows the whole picture, hubris and humility, guts and glory. If "Intellectually he was promiscuous," then Carver was well rewarded for his curiosity, ingenuity, and stamina with accolades and honors bestowed throughout his life. VERDICT This title will appeal to historians and scientists alike. Those interested in the history of historically black college and universities will find the perspective on founding and running of Tuskegee University intriguing. Readers seeking information on agriculture will enjoy the sections on agricultural development in the early 20th century. The appendixes and research notes will enhance the experience for both. Written in a personable style, Vella's book is also accessible for an audience outside of these scholars.--Dawn Lowe-Wincentsen, Oregon Inst. of Technology, Portland

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 15, 2015
Prodigious scientist Carver was held in such high esteem that he was consulted by titans of industry, from Henry Ford to Henry A. Wallace, and consorted with world leaders, from President Theodore Roosevelt to Mohandas Gandhi. But he could not dine in the fine hotels where he spoke at scientific conferences or travel in anything other than Jim Crow accommodations. He could also not get Booker T. Washington, the imperious head of Tuskegee Institute, where Carver worked, to provide him with adequate lab supplies. He was single-minded and eccentric in the typical mold of dedicated scientists, but Carver was also extraordinarily generous with his time and inventions, giving away formulas that enriched others while he remained devoted to Tuskegee. Vella presents a portrait of a sensitive man who rose above the racial restrictions of the time. She also details Carver's personal life, his agonizing relationships with Washington and Tuskegee colleagues envious of his accomplishments, and his failed romances and enduring friendships. Hailed for his phenomenal work creating products and curatives from the peanut, including a cure for polio to which he demurred, Carver gained national and international acclaim by the time of his death in 1943. This is an extraordinary look at the life of a brilliant man.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)