Spinach on the ceiling : the multifaceted life of a theoretical chemist The autobiography of Martin Karplus Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013 describes the journey from his childhood in Vienna his escape to Switzerland in 1938 shortly after Hitlers entrance into Austria his education in New England and California and scientific career which took him to England Illinois Columbia Strasbourg and Harvard. The authors optimistic outlook and faith in himself made it possible for him to overcome difficulties in his research and to develop methods in several different fields of science that asked questions to teach him and others something not known before. Paralleling his efforts in science Martin Karplus enjoyed a life long interest in cooking working at some of the best restaurants in France and Spain and in photography holding numerous exhibitions of his work around the world