In eleven short essays, the author employs an easy, storytelling approach scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. Penicillin and the anti-biotic drugs; chemical germ killers and chemical curatives; virology; vitamins; atomic theory into energy; and radio-astronomy receive excellent coverage that emphasizes who discovered what and how along with the immediate effects of the discoveries and that new knowledge was built upon them. The essay on Einstein's theory of relativity takes time out for fun with the limericks developed by students to keep its essentials in mind. In dealing with Freud's Theory of the unconscious, there is an excellent, simple presentation of the standard interpretations of dream-symbols. Each essay ends with suggestions for further reading drawn from general available itles.