Wellfleet Public Library

Dive into the enthralling journey of scientific exploration in this captivating memoir as renowned scientist Dr. Raymond Clarke shares an intimate and profound account of his groundbreaking research and the personal experiences that shaped his career. On a year-long sabbatical, Dr. Clarke discovers the tiny tropical fish that sets the course for more than thirty years of his research, through which he comes to understand that there is always more to learn if we keep looking and bring our whole, creative selves to the endeavor. Delve into his personal reflections, the ethical dilemmas he faced, and the inspirations behind his most significant breakthroughs. This memoir is not just a recount of experiments and data-it's a narrative woven with passion, perseverance, and the triumphs and tribulations of a life dedicated to science. Whether you're a budding scientist, a curious reader, or simply fascinated by the stories of those who push the boundaries of human knowledge, Fieldwork offers an inspiring and enlightening read.

Raymond Clarke, a professor emeritus at Sarah Lawrence College, is a naturalist, ecologist, and marine biologist. Aside from his lifelong research on coral reef fishes, he has studied spiders, toads and box turtles, the turtle work being done in Truro and Wellfleet. After retiring, he participated in Rosalind Pace's memoir group at the Truro Council on Aging. It was there that he transformed his terse technical writing to a more expansive, engaging style. While he spends half his time in New York, his heart is in Truro, where he gardens and participates in discussions of environmental issues affecting the town.