Harriet Zuckerman is an associate professor of sociology at Columbia University. Her Ph.D. dissertation on Nobel Laureates† was finished in 1965, and before and after that date she has interviewed most of those who live in the United States. They numbered 77 in 1976, out of 313 awards worldwide since they were started in 1901, and when I first saw the book I guessed that its sales might be limited to these 77, with perhaps half as many again bought overseas. After reading it, however, I hope I was wrong; while many people belonging to a small group may be amused to read about the sociology of that group, the book certainly has a wider interest. I think it is worth reviewing in Contemporary Physics chiefly because of the comments that it contains on the system of rewards in science, and the effects that they have on the scientific community. The author asks “are Nobel prizes good for science?” and the same might be asked about the fellowship of the Royal Society, the U.S. National Academy, knighthoods and all other awards. Are they all good for science!