Bücher von Joram Piatigorsky

“A sensitive drama about an aged scientist in an anti-intellectual era.” (Kirkus Review, vol. 87, February 2019)“Jellyfish Have Eyes” is the “somewhat autobiographical” story of an eminent scientist whose study of jellyfish eyes earns him condemnation rather than acclaim.” (Ellyn Wexler, Montgomery County Gazette, October 2014)“Piatigorsky’s debut novel is a suspenseful thriller mixing the biological sciences – and politics. It is a rollicking tale… and deserves a wide audience. “ (Kensington Park Friends of the Library, November 2015)“A wonderful book for those who love creativity, science and the great gifts of serendipity.” (Barbara Esstman, author, The Other  Anna and Night Ride Home)In this original and provocative combination of science and fiction, Joram Piatigorsky brings to life evidence of Dr. Johnson’s observation that Truth can be made more accessible when draped in the robes of Fiction. (Warren Poland, MD, Psychoanalyst, author, Melting the Darkness)“Piatigorsky’s imaginative account of Dr. Ricardo Sztein’s path from discovery to condemnation gives a chilling warning that is sure to stimulate debate on the role of government in dictating the  direction of basic research.” (Joseph Horwitz, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, UCLA School of Medicine)

The Speed of Dark reveals how the author, his mother the daughter of the French Rothschild banking dynasty and his father a world-renowned cellist, broke the chain of his lineage of art, music and banking to establish an important career in science. Born in the rural Adirondacks as an American citizen after his European parents and sister narrowly escaped Nazi Germany, he spoke French before English, was raised with financial security, was exposed to Rothschild palaces visiting his French grandparents, felt as a foreigner with his Russian family in Moscow, and often felt French in his native America. As a child, he felt simultaneously as his father's son, yet a guest in the audience when listening to the pinnacle of music played in his home by the greatest artists. As a developing scientist, he benefited by his charismatic father's influence who asked such an original, imaginative question, "What about the speed of dark?" Unlike other memoirs about rising from adversity to success, the author brings the reader into the privilege of having a unique family in which the extraordinary is ordinary, and the challenge of being asked, "Are you a failure like the sons of all great men?" The Speed of Dark will resonate with musicians, those interested in art, music and history, and those who seek to carve their own path in a world filled with high expectations and seemingly unlimited resources." (Sel Kardan, President, Colburn School of Performing Arts, LA) "The clear and elegant prose on the theme of collecting reveals a dedication and self-understanding that is rare." (Michael Hall, PhD, Curator of the Rothschild family collections, Exbury Estate, Hampshire, GB) "Piatigorsky's memoir will provide particular interest to students, scholars, and fellow collectors knowledgeable in the creative traditions of Native North American artists." (Bernadette Driscoll Engelstad, Independent Curator, Inuit Art) "Piatigorsky's memoir demonstrates that artistry can be found in science." (Joseph Horwitz, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology/Biophysics, Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA) "Piatigorsky's unique story will receive a wide audience: professional and lay scientists, art collectors, musicians, historians, writers and those who have struggled to find their identity." (Hamid Shams, BBP Films Producer and Cinematographer) "This memoir is not just worth reading, it is worth remembering!" (James Mathews, Author of Last Known Position)"This fascinating account of his journey becomes a meditation on art, wonder, and creativity, of bucking the status quo and following one's heart. " (Barbara Esstman, Author of The Other Anna, Night Ride Home, and A More Perfect Union)