A Brilliant Portrait of Scientific Discovery and Quiet Defiance — If I Am Right, and I Know I Am

Hanne Strager’s *If I Am Right, and I Know I Am* is a stunning blend of biography, science history, and quiet revolution. With vivid prose and meticulous research, Strager brings to life the pioneering Danish scientist Inge Lehmann, whose discovery of Earth’s solid inner core not only transformed geophysics but also challenged the scientific orthodoxy of her time.

Strager excels in drawing readers into both the intellectual rigor of Lehmann’s work and the emotional currents of her life. The book avoids the trap of mythologizing Lehmann; instead, it presents a deeply human portrait—one shaped by isolation, mental health struggles, and the unrelenting pressure of living in a world that routinely denied women access to power, recognition, and even basic respect. Lehmann’s bold assertion—“If I am right, and I know I am”—becomes not only a statement of scientific certainty but a declaration of self-worth in the face of systemic doubt.

Equally impressive is Strager’s ability to make the seismic science accessible without watering it down. The technical breakthroughs are framed clearly, giving readers a sense of the intellectual stakes and why Lehmann’s insights were so revolutionary. Her ability to read between the tremors—literally and figuratively—is given its full due.

The book’s emotional resonance is enriched by its exploration of Lehmann’s personal life, including the quiet revelation of a possible same-sex relationship, handled with sensitivity and restraint. These moments add depth without overshadowing the scientific achievements, reinforcing how personal identity and professional ambition are never entirely separate.

What makes *If I Am Right, and I Know I Am* truly exceptional is its storytelling: grounded, empathetic, and clear-eyed. It’s not just a story of a woman in science—it’s the story of a woman who reshaped science, and who did so while navigating the immense silence imposed on her by her time.

A landmark biography of a once-overlooked genius, Strager’s work ensures that Lehmann’s legacy won’t just remain buried in the footnotes of geophysics—it will echo, like the seismic waves she studied, through generations to come.

For me, what made this memoir special was the distinct effort the author put into Inge Lehmann's actual work. It wasn't just lightly mentioned, it was explained thoroughly. I also really enjoyed reading about her college years. It makes me realize that it is such a shame that a lot of interesting people nowadays don't write letters that we can peruse in the future. There was some underlying humor hidden away in areas. The kind that feels like sarcasm or tongue-in-cheek, and given Lehmann's personality, she might have appreciated that a lot.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review this fine book.

A fascinating read!

The life of a scientist with a peculiar personality,
A fascinating view of the discovery of something new, through the eyes of the person behind it. I love the writing, a light with a dash of humor - I found myself unable to put the book down.


Highly recommend it!

I enjoyed this book. The tone is conversational and the science is well-explained. I found the story compelling and well-paced. I liked the mysterious love letter story and loved Strager’s sense of humour. This is a great history of science and of the obstacles in place that affected women in science. Thank you to Netgalley and Columbia University Press for the advance reader copy.

A fantastic record of the life of this wonderful scientist. An important novel detailing the challenges for a woman in the 20 th century trying to make a living as a scientist. Fascinating information on the discoveries of seismology and the earth’s core. And a very readable important historical record of important achievements by Inge Lehmann.. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.