This was such an interesting read. There was so much that I learned while reading it, and it was very eye opening. The amount of bias in the science world, especially in the biomedical area is just insane. I think this book was great and had lots of great points

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

As someone with years of experience in biomedical science, I've often had friends or younger colleagues tell me they're eager to jump into biomedical research. Part of me wants to share the reality—the challenges that aren’t always visible from the outside. But I usually hold back, not wanting to be the one to dampen their enthusiasm. Yet, I feel they deserve the full story. If they’re going to commit to this path, they should know what lies ahead. I really wish this book had been published before I started getting that question so I could hand it to them. It captures the raw, unvarnished sides of biomedical science.

Szabó pulls back the curtain to reveal what research life is really like: the relentless hustle for funding, the career pressures, and the fierce competition. I appreciated its straightforward honesty—it’s a reminder that going into science for the wrong reasons, whether for fame or a sense of job security, can lead to serious consequences.

This book is for everyone—the scientists, the institutions, grant agencies, publishing industries, and even the general public, who often only see the polished results of scientific work. Szabó reminds us of the twists and turns that scientists face. Discovery is tough enough, but it’s made even harder by the need for resilience, integrity, and the ability to confront uncomfortable truths. If we’re to foster a new generation of scientists—and build a public that trusts in science—they need to know what they’re up against. Only then, with eyes wide open, can they work together to create a system that truly supports both science and the people behind it.