Cassandra Leah Quave: The Plant Hunter, A Scientist's Quest for Nature's Next Medicines. Penguin Books USA, 9781984879134, paperback 

Found Dr. Cassandra Quaves enlightening book " The Plant Hunter" at one of the airport bookshops in Austin. I have always been interested in the medicinal healing power of plants, something i remember as a kid from my mother and grandmother who would  consult their herbal knowledge before using pills.  So naturally i was drawn to Quaves very personal story in the search of natural compounds who might be helpful in keeping multi resistant  bacteria at bay. 

Her life story is an extraordinary one.

Born with a birth defect and living with a prothetic leg, having undergone multiple surgeries herself, nothing stops her during her field research to find healers with ancient knowledge in the Amazon, Italy, Kosovo, even as a young mother, or her tireless effort to apply for grants to fund her research projects. For someone who is not a science wiz , I had a hard time occasionally staying focused when she goes into scientific explanations. Her personal story however is exceptional, an example of willpower, perseverance, never giving up and raising three children with her husband Marco while plunging herself fully into her mission. Perhaps a bit too detailed at times for myself but all in all a fascinating memoir, i hope she is succesfull in her quest. The world needs scientists and mentors like her. Nothing was ever achieved if you do not think outside the box.