One fourth of the biography tells of Menzels's family history, family life, activities and interests (chemistry) in a detailed and often amusing way. He describes his studies in mathematics and astronomy at the University of Denver from 1917; his travels to South Africa; and his Ph.D. in astrophysics from Princeton University in 1924. The rest of the biography deals with his scientific career at Iowa State and Ohio State Universities, his position on the staff at Lick Observatory (1926-1932), Lawrence Aller's story, Menzel's joining the faculty at Harvard University in 1932, World War II effort in the U.S. Navy, and the directorship of Harvard College Observatory in 1954. The account includes many characterizations of scientists and a description of the Loyalty Security Hearings, the Velikovsky affair, and his views of philosophy and religion, which often are very entertaining.