Jim Ottaviani

I happily consume every book that Jim Ottaviani writes. Even if I know a lot about the subject, I always appreciate the immense research that goes into his books. There is so much attention to detail. Hawking lives up to Ottaviani's other published works.

What I particularly enjoyed was the subtle interactions in this graphic novel. Hawking was probably a horrible person to be married to as he was unbelievably selfish. That didn't need to be spelled out in this book. The interactions and show more emotions conveyed by the artist for both Stephen Hawking and his wife made it clear how alienating it must have been to be married to him.

It was enjoyable to read even though I still don't understand cosmology. The dialogue between the scientists was technical without being alienating. Highly recommended for anybody interested in learning more about such a fascinating scientist. show less

Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks’ Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas tells the stories of the three primatologists and their work with chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, respectively. Ottaviani and Wicks begin with how the Leakey’s work in the Olduvai Gorge, Kenya, and other parts of Africa helped to uncover elements of human evolution and pointed the way toward studying other primates to learn about early precursors to modern humans. Each show more of the women that Ottaviani and Wicks profile found their own way to primates based on childhood or later interests. Even more inspiringly, they all came to know of and appreciate each other, with Goodall paving the way for Fossey, who in turn laid the path for Galdikas. Louis Leakey was an advisor to all three and Ottaviani and Wicks manage to capture the complex portrait of how he advanced science while also crossing the line of propriety with some women students. Meanwhile, the women had to overcome structural barriers in science as well as local barriers to their work from governments and nature itself. They also had their flaws, but that makes them more approachable especially for young readers who may feel weird for their interests. Ottaviani and Wicks’ Primates is a great introduction to these three scientists for younger readers. show less

An accessible, and sometimes very funny, introduction to the lives and works of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas. I learned a little about the history of studying primates and much more about the women who studied them. Despite Louis Leakey's tendency to lump all female scientists together for their patience and nurturing talents, Primates makes it very clear that Goodall, Fossey, and Galdikas are unique individuals with their own abilities...and that all women, as long as they show more have passion and perseverance, are qualified for and capable of this kind of scientific work. I would've appreciated an afterword with a bit more information on their lives---perhaps timelines---but the bibliography at least offers suggestions for further study. show less

T-Minus is a well-written, strongly told story of the US and Russian space programs as they compete first for space, then for the moon.

Jim Ottaviani has carved a niche for himself writing comic books about true-life science, and he’s an able storyteller, mixing fact with invention to move the book forward. The Cannons’ art skillfully assists. It’s clear and straightforward, with distinct-looking characters, a necessity in a tale that might have had a cast of 400,000, as Ottaviani notes show more in his afterward. The historical facts of the progressing flights and failures of the program are detailed in the outside of the pages, which allows for a facts-only skimming before, during or after reading the whole book. By turns funny, sad and touching, T-Minus does a good job of balancing story and history. It’s accessible for older kids and adults, and is a good jumping off point to learn more about the history of space travel, which Ottaviani aids by including a list of further things to read and watch along with brief summaries. show less