Published more than 30 years ago, Veena Gavankar鈥檚 biography of African-American scientist and agriculturist George Washington Carver, has remained one of the bestsellers in Marathi literature even today.
A gripping story about a man and his determination to succeed amidst hardship and hurdles, the book not only captures the essence of perseverance, but also beautifully portrays how the desire and a thirst for knowledge indeed, does lead to greatness.
Dubbed by the Times magazine in 1941 as the 鈥淏lack Leonardo鈥�, Carver鈥檚 contributions to the fields of botany and agriculture are immense. His courage and conviction, to get an education in spite of growing up in a society ridden with prejudice and reeking with the aftermath of the apartheid, is astutely covered by the author.
Short, simple and neatly written, Gavankar has touched every aspect of the life and struggles of Carver, his achievements and his many talents. Known as the Peanut Man in America and all around the world today, Carver is said to be the man behind the development of the quintessential American spread, the peanut butter. His message - about persevering in the face of adversity and making something out of whatever one has in life - is simply but clearly depicted, and this biography has served as an inspiration to hundreds of Indians all over the country.
Ek Hota Carver, which began as a result of a mother鈥檚 search for bedtime stories for her children, has been on the best-selling Marathi literature for over 30 years, from the time it was first published. Soon to be available as an audiobook, Ek Hota Carver has also had the distinction of being run into 34 editions.
Former librarian and an avid reader, Veena Gavankar wrote Ek Hota Carver, her debut novel and biography of American agriculturist George Washington Carver in the year 1979.
She soon followed up with numerous other books, including Dr.Khankohje, Rozelind Franklin and Lise Mitner. Other books include Bhagirathe Varas, Dr.Ida Skadder and Sarptadnya Dr. Remond Ditmars.
Known for her simplistic, clear and precise writing style, Veena Gavankar鈥檚 numerous biographies have been inspirations for readers world over
Read the English translation by John Eraveli: "A Man Called CARVER". Thanks to the recommendation from a friend, now I know a little about the selfless man: George Washington Carver. In the first half author tells us the childhood of Carver as detailed stories while in the second half we see glimpses of his professional life and his achievements.
I was one of the ranking students of my class in the fourth grade and as a memento, I received this book. To this date, I am grateful to whoever decided this was the gift. This book is meant for the young audience, who are just starting out their academic life and learning a new outlook. Veena Gavankar Madam cultivated a love of biographies in me. She has the flowy and simple language. You will not find any flowery words in her books, her books are simple, to the point and impressive. About this book, it tells you about Dr. Carver and his journey from lowly slave to the world-renowned scientist and teacher. It teaches you about kindness, struggles and most importantly never to give up. The road Dr. Carver traveled had many ups and downs and the book depicts it in a way that even young audience realizes the gravity of it. I will vote this book as The must-read for every reader out there waiting for their next perfect book!
For years this book is in my collection.But it was destined to be read in the very recent past,just a few days ago. A common curious child with all his struggle becomes scientist ,rather scientist is very short intoduction,he was all he could become, a self reliant person working hard for people. Scientist,artist, Agriculturist. He could have become musician,painter etc but chose to concentrate on agriculture as people need it. very much relevant in present context of Indian Agriculture scenario.Inspiring!We need such people like George Washington Carver who can help farmers so much so that if market was absent fo r any crop he created it by making 100s of product from single crop.
A story of grit and perseverance - Veena Gavankar's timeless biography charts the incredible journey of Dr. George Washington Carver from his birth as a slave to the Pantheon of American icons. The author does a commendable job to elucidate Dr. Carver's life's work as America's foremost botanist blended with a philosophy of striving for the "greater good". This book deserves to be widely read and is increasingly relevant today as Dr. Carver demonstrates how to live in harmony with nature in a consumerist world.
It has been a long time since I read this marvel. I was not an avid reader back then. I literally hated reading. My parents and grandparents kept asking me to read this book. Never had I tried reading a Marathi book before... this book brought tears to my eyes. If a book changes the way you think about something or the way you look at things, it has served its purpose. This book owns that power. Do read it.
It is a biography of George W Carver, an American agricultural scientist and inventor. He was a black scientist in earlier 20th century and no parents. Thia book tells all his struggles in his life which never left his back. He worked very hard in his field still he had to face discrimination and insults.
Although I am in the middle of this book, have to agree that this will be one of the best I will ever read. Really need atleast one Carver in our country looking at the effects of global warming.
鈥楽tart where you are, with what you have. Make something of it. Never be satisfied.鈥� G. W. Carver. 鈥楨k hota Carver鈥� 鈥� by Veena Gavanker (marathi) is an amazing account of not just an agriculturist or a scientist but that of a human enigma, a genius who lived his life completely dedicated to his inner voice. A 鈥榥egro鈥� born sickly, a childhood in utter poverty whose hunger for knowledge overcame all other hunger pangs, went on to do pioneering work in the field of agriculture and chemistry in the late 19th and early 20th century. Science was his religion and he chose to understand the Bible as a guide to his work. While he excelled at whatever he came across, be it painting, singing, music, crochet or science, he chose agricultural research . A true son of the soil, he dedicated his entire life to agricultural research that would benefit farmers 鈥� black and white alike. An unparalled 鈥榢arm yogi鈥� of the United States, all he cared for was how he could better the lives of people who had no other resources to help them. Neither money nor fame held any attraction for this introvert scientist. In his laboratory 24X 7, he worked with the bare minimum resources and personal comforts till the age of 80. Shunning all lucrative offers, he served only the poorest of poor farmers to help them understand crops and soil better. A true environmentalist and minimalist, he owned only one suit all his life (gifted by his college friends) and his most precious possession was his mother鈥檚 old, wooden spinning wheel which he took care of till the end. Its after a long time that I have started a book in the morning and finished it in one entire day鈥檚 sitting but I don鈥檛 think I could have spent today鈥檚 holiday in better way.
Brilliant translation of the original work in English. Mr. Carver was a multi faceted personality. His research work on ground nut and cotton has revolutionised farming. Hailing from a humble back ground in an African American family and achieving success by persistent efforts, the biography is nothing short of iconic. Despite his success, Carver retained his simple lifestyle till the end of his life. A must read.
A must-read book to understand an incredibly talented, kind, and brave human who existed in an unimaginably cruel time of slavery, discrimination, and injustice in the United States of America. His contribution to the country, community, society and this planet earth is immeasurable. The book covers known aspects of his life, nature, work, and the impact of his existence on despicably racist US of A of that time and now and on the world.
One of the best biographies read so far. Carver being a revolutionary scientist, reformist- his story whoever told would be interesting. But Veen Gavankar in her simple words makes it more real and imaginable of the Carver's endeavor. It should be noted that due to the people such as Carver, US is thus such a great nation.
very very awesome experience. cant keep the book down very easy story telling but touching most of the aspect of his life. we can feel that how much love and affection writer had about the Character of autobiography. thankfully I came across this book and fell in love with "George Washington Carver".
A very inspirational life story. Short but providing enough insights into Carver's experiences, struggles, and determination which can inspire the reader to their bit towards the society. It would change the reader's perspective towards nature and life as a whole.
This book is a real inspiration to me. hard worker, enthusiastic, Nature lover, scientist, painter, Agriculturist, home worker, gardener, and many more roles he played in his life. His journey from birth as a slave to the Pantheon of American icons as Peanut Man.