The Peripatetic: Chasing the Molecules of Nature

K.C. Nicolaou paints an all-told picture of his peripatetic life narrating aspects of his birth in a picturesque town in Cyprus, his growing up in Nature, education in various places around the world, career as a teacher and a scientist, and his family life. His story is full of adventure with coincidences and/or godincidences and packed with unlikely to occur events, and yet they happened. He manages to prevail and tells his odyssey of ups and downs with pride, tears and inspiration for the young, who learn from his experiences how discipline, hard work and persistence in the end deliver success and fulfillment, especially when they are fortunate to encounter good teachers and mentors whose support and encouragement keeps them motivated and on the right path. We are taken through Nicolaou’s growth and discoveries as a grandson, son, student, husband, father, chemist, educator, intellectual leader and grandfather. This autobiography is certain to enthrall as Nicolaou takes us on a personal, emotional, and chemical voyage through his life’s story. “K.C. Nicolaou has made monumental contributions to the chemical synthesis of complicated biologically active molecules – for which he is world famous. Beyond that, however, is the equally important personal story of his unusual trajectory through geography and time - from his earliest years as a youth in Cyprus, to his University period in the UK and USA, and then as a distinguished Professor in four leading Academic Institutions, the University of Pennsylvania, The Scripps Research Institute, University of California San Diego and Rice University. In that Professorial career he excelled not only as a teacher and researcher but as Department builder and World Statesman of Chemistry and beyond. We are fortunate to have his detailed autobiography which reveals the richness of his personal life with family, friends, students and professional associates and shows us how great intellect, ability, perseverance, modesty and integrity can lead to wonderful results – personally and professionally.”–E.J. Corey, Professor Emeritus, Harvard University, Nobel Laureate, Chemistry, 1990 “Chemists admire K.C. Nicolaou a towering figure for almost half a century in the molecular sciences. Little is known about K.C. the historian and the philosopher, the father and the family man, the educator and the science organizer. How did he manage his wanderings through different cultures from the shores of Cyprus to Southern California and Texas and so many places in between? Where did he get all the energy from, and what made him tick the way he succeeded? His autobiography tells us the secrets; it is a compelling read that unveils the human side of science.”–Peter Gölitz, Editor Emeritus, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.