George Washington Carver: A Life

Carver looms large as an early 20th-century peanut scientist and inventor from Booker T. Washington’s famed Tuskegee Institute, but historian Vella (Indecent Secrets) reveals how he survived not only a hardscrabble youth, but also the underfurnished, intrigue-plagued school where he solidified his reputation. Carver, a dark-skinned, penniless orphan who was once briefly abducted, used his mild-mannered nature and deep work ethic to earn a reputation as a renowned speaker and to develop correspondences with the likes of Henry Ford and Mahatma Gandhi. Vella ensures that Carver remains a relatable figure throughout this engaging narrative. Since Carver’s own early autobiographical stories often proved unreliable, Vella uses both official records and a multitude of anecdotes from his close friends to flesh out his story. Carver’s passion for religion, which included long periods of intense devotion and proselytization in which he melded religion and science, adds dimension to his usual portrayal as a friendly workaholic whose exuberance sometimes exceeded his listeners’ patience. As Vella notes, Carver “wanted his race to be recognized through him,” and she describes several of Carver’s noteworthy inventions in addition to his talent for art. But it’s Carver’s genuine warmth that shines in this story, as he navigates both white and black societies while producing scientific achievements that benefited all. [em](Sept.) [/em]