This book offers a considered yet entertaining reflection on the progress of modern scientific research. The winding path of science can only be understood by revealing the personal, human side of scientific research, demystifying the actions of the scientist and exposing the human drama on the stage of science. The book looks at the true nature of contemporary science and scientists through the lens of the personal experiences of the author, a renowned and leading materials scientist, over the last half century. It examines the positive threads of modern scientific progress in sober juxtaposition to the manifest negative developments arising from stiff competition within the current academic landscape. A collection of stories and real-life anecdotes is presented in parallel to the career of the author, providing a first-hand account of important achievements in the field of materials science. As a result, this book provides fascinating reading for students, seasoned scientists, and anybody else interested in the workings and machinations of modern science.

Eric J. Mittemeijer was born in 1950 in Haarlem, the Netherlands. He studied "chemical technology," with specialization in physical chemistry, at the Delft University of Technology and acquired his "ingenieur (= Ir.)" degree (comparable to a M.Sc. degree) in 1972 and his Ph.D. degree in 1978. From 1985 till 1998, he was full Professor of Solid State Chemistry at the Delft University of Technology. From 1998 till 2017, he was Director at the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research (later renamed in Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems) in Stuttgart in conjunction with a full Professorship in Materials Science at the University of Stuttgart. He was Dean of the Study Course Materials Science of the University of Stuttgart and Speaker of the International Max Planck Research School on Advanced Materials. He has (co-)authored about 700 scientific papers in international scientific journals, published a number of books and has received a number of honors for his scientific work.