World-leading natural and social scientists shed light on their discoveries and lives in conversation with an award-winning science writer.

When acclaimed science writer Stefan Klein asks Nobel Prize-winning chemist Roald Hoffmann what sets scientists apart, Hoffmann says, 'First and foremost, curiosity.' In this collection of intimate conversations with 19 of the world's best-known scientists, Klein lets us listen in as today's leading minds reveal what they still hope to discover — and how their paradigm-changing work entwines with their lives outside the lab.

From the sports car that physicist Steven Weinberg says helped him on his quest for 'the theory of everything' to the jazz musicians who gave psychologist Alison Gopnik new insight into raising children, scientists explain how they find inspiration everywhere. Hear from evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins on selfishness; anthropologist Sarah Hrdy on motherhood; primatologist Jane Goodall on animal behaviour; neuroscientist V. S. Ramachandran on consciousness; geographer Jared Diamond on chance in history; and other luminaries!

PRAISE FOR STEFAN KLEIN

'[A] comprehensive book of ideas, distilled in language that even a layperson can understand.' The Sunday Age

'Klein has chosen an eclectic group to tackle everything from expected questions about their areas of study to issues concerning religion, morality, pain, and parenthood ... He is exceedingly well read in the work of his interviewees, and they exchange ideas with ease, moving readily from deeply technical concepts to pop culture, making for an exceedingly welcome volume that will expose readers to all manner of topics that are likely new to them in a manner that focuses first on the lively personalities of the scientists, while slowly diving into their work ... Truly enjoyable.' Booklist