This is a story about an underdog fighting against the odds. Faraday wanted to be a scientist but to be able to even live his dream he had to break into a closed society that viewed him as unimportant. Born in 1791, his father was a blacksmith and there was a constant struggle to make ends meet. At thirteen he began to work for the bookbinder, George Riebau and this would change Faraday’s life. Riebau was a unique man who allowed his apprentices to read the books in the shop and it was here that Faraday discovered science. A new world had opened up for him but his chance of actually studying science was not likely. Academia was reserved for those from the right background and education and Faraday clearly did not have that. Instead, he had a passion for discovery that drove him to pursue a career in science. The Electric Life of Michael Faraday by Alan Hirshfeld is a fascinating and wonderful account of his struggles and triumphs. This engrossing book is about the man behind the science and the politics that influenced his life.