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Breaking Through

My Life In Science

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Brought to you by Penguin.

From butcher's daughter in communist Hungary to winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, this is the story of one woman's extraordinary determination and her breakthrough discovery that saved millions of lives.

Katalin Karikó began life as a butcher’s daughter in communist Hungary. Raised in a one-room home of clay and straw with no running water, she saw potential everywhere: in the promise of a seed, in the alchemy of soap, in the scarlet of a carcass.

Breaking Through is the extraordinary story of her courageous determination – first to become a scientist, and then to unlock an elusive molecule she believed could revolutionise medicine. Others disagreed, and for decades she endured demotions, discrimination and even threats of deportation. Yet Karikó persevered, ultimately making a world-shifting discovery: the mRNA vaccine technology that saved millions of lives and will transform healthcare forever.

'Riveting. A true story of a brilliant biochemist who never gave up or gave in' BONNIE GARMUS
'This remarkable memoir ... is a joy to read' FINANCIAL TIMES
'Karikó's story is an inspiration' BILL GATES

*An Amazon Best Book of the Year* *One of Nature's five best science books for 2024* *A Financial Times Best Summer Book of 2024*

©2023 Katalin Karikó (P)2023 Penguin Audio

 Medical Professionals & Academics Science & Technology Women Inspiring Medicine

Critic reviews

Few have overcome adversity like Karikó ... This remarkable memoir ... is a joy to read
[The] engrossing, touching tale ... of a scientist now recognised as one of the world’s greatest ... a vividly written, absorbing memoir
It is almost impossible not to feel moved by this story of an extraordinarily resilient woman
Riveting. A true story of a brilliant biochemist who never gave up or gave in. (BONNIE GARMUS)
Karikó's story is an inspiration (BILL GATES)
Will make you laugh, think and maybe even readjust the way you see the world (KATJA HOYER)
A classic in the genre of underdogs succeeding against the odds
Little did the public know that this feat [a Covid vaccine] was largely down to one woman's relentless perseverance. Breaking Through ... charts the painstaking journey she undertook as a woman and an immigrant to convince the scientific community to take her work seriously ... rich with colourful metaphors that bring the immune system to life ... Karikó also lays bare a startling truth: even life-saving scientific discovery is not immune to ego, favouritism and sexism
A riveting testament to resilience and the power of unwavering belief (JENNIFER DOUDNA, Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry)
The rousing story of a remarkable woman and her lifesaving contributions to medicine
All stars
Most relevant
This is such a great book, honestly describing a life as a researcher! I highly recommend it!

What a struggle

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I like how this book is narrated, it is very engaging, and tells Katalin Karikó’s story from the very start till present days. Brilliant work! Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the creation of this book! I can only recommend this book.

Thank you for your work, Kati! The whole world is thankful to you, and you are a very inspirational person!

Very well put together

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Very well written book! Inspiring, informative and at times emotional. It will serve as a push to learn new things outside of my field of expertise.

Highly recommended

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Katalin's story reflects the answers. whether she realizes it or not, we seek regarding the future of mankind....and in a tiny way, I saw and see the same in my husband's endeavours to elevate his company's understanding of the very same lessons Katalin shares so inspirationally.
It is the time consuming, often tedious, repetitive and overwhelmingly misunderstood tasks undertaken every day by focused and too often belittled or disregarded people in the world who hold the keys...and the ignorance and ego's of the people in control of power and money who are the key to the destruction of mankind in any salvageable way.
Change and solutions are processes that require change in what those making the rules believe and preach...in a return to basics and a willingness of all people to consent to accepting what must occur in the lives of the next generation of children....accepting levels of expected parenting and outside assistance as needed, Not taking away individual rights and freedoms but understanding mental illness and accepting not all are college bound but all deserve a career and the rewards reserved for those with large bank accounts....and sadly, the thousands of years of male rulersand law makers. whether religious or not, that are simply wrong. Issues such as weapons and wars....too many factors ruling the world sought as quick fixes.
Katalin's a story of truth and determination in such a degree that too few of us are willing to pursue because of the personal sacrifices and rejections and all that the current 'instant gratification society' is misguided by as it destroys any hope for a truly progressive and positive world society.

Brilliant life, wonderful woman

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Highly recommend this book to anyone especially to teens and young adults. Her passion for science, grit and resilience on her research in mRNA’s potential for therapy over few decades subsequently saved millions of lives during the pandemic is extraordinary! Well written and inspiring!

What an inspiring book!

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