Up Against Odds: Autobiography of an Indian Scientist

Revealing look at an Indian in America. Funny stories about cultural differences. This would be a good book for school summer reading because it teaches the value of hard work and good humor.

Similar to J. Robert Oppenheimer, Director of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and Manhattan Project, Dr. Gill was unique in that he transcended the continuum of leadership from leadership within a specific academic domain to a macro, international recognition. This should not be surprising because of Dr. Gill's close association with the likes of Dr. Oppenheimer and Dr. E. Fermi, the winner of the Nobel Prize in 1938. Dr. Oppenheimer asked Dr. Gill to present a paper at the California Institute of Technology at a symposium organized to celebrate the 80th birthday of Prof. R.A. Millikan, winner of the 1928 Physics Nobel Prize. The parallels between Dr. Gill and Dr. Oppenheimer do not stop at academia; both men were instrumental in nuclear consulting with their respective chief of states. Pandit Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, and a close friend of Dr. Gill, called upon Dr. Gill for nuclear arms advice.

Piara Singh Gill or "Pi," his nickname, has written a nicely detailed book in which he elucidates his struggles as a boy, his journey to America, and his work with the field of cosmic ray physics. Dr. Gill studied and worked under eminent professors such as Professor Compton. Dr. Gill was a nobel-caliber physicist, and this would have been realized by the masses had he have stayed in America, however, he returned to India to help his mother country.Dr. Gill was a key figure during the middle of the 20th century enmeshed in Indian political and scientific dynamics. Prime Minister Nehru frequently asked Dr. Gill for advice; they used to have breakfast together. Science in India is synonymous with this father of Indian Science: Professor Gill. I recommend this book because it shows that hard work certainly pays off! A must read for all immigrants and all people who believe in the American Dream!

It is a very nice biography of someone growing up in rural India and making a success of their life as a scientist. Dr. Gill gave back to his country a place in academic excellence in Physics. He had to constantly push against the odd forces of newly independent India, but achieved recognition for his efforts.