Runner of the Mountain Tops: The Life of Louis Agassiz

Long ago, I read the biography of man written by his mom (entitled History of Joseph Smith Written by his Mother). I remember thinking after reading it that if I wanted the most glowing, faultless version of my life written, having my mom write it was an excellent idea. Since my mom has passed, I think a very close second place would be Mabel Robinson (the author of this book). Then again, she doesn't semi-worship me like she did Louis Agassiz, so I'd have to find my own Mabel. I mean, just comparing her version of Agassiz (the best scientist and teacher and possibly human EVER) and the Wikipedia article written about him (he made some contributions to the study of fish and the ice age, but he's a racist) proves that choosing your biographer can make all the difference.

As far as how I feel about Louis Agassiz after reading this book, I just have no respect for people (even geniuses! scientists! activists! politicians extraordinaire!) who aren't nice to or have no time for their spouses and kids. And while Mabel does her best to make all his work and passions sound so important that spending time with his first wife and young kids would have interfered, I didn't have to read in between any lines to realize he was a jerk to poor Cily and ignored her and his children. It also became clear as I read that Louis and I have very dissimilar interests and fifteen chapters about fish fossils got old really fast.

Honestly, this book was complete drudgery to read. I read it online. I think I started it three years ago and have read a chapter or so any time I thought of it (not often). I finally made it a chore on my to-do list and pushed through the last several chapters this week. I'm glad it's over.