After the successful motivational biographies of Milan Rastislav Štefánik and Tomáš Baťa, Jozef Banáš brings his third energizing novel about one of the most significant scientists of the first half of the 20th century, the Slovak and Swiss citizen Aurel Stodola. Just as Štefánik’s incredible dream was fulfilled – to break up the Austro-Hungarian monarchy – and Baťa’s childhood dream of one day supplying shoes to the whole world came true, Stodola also saw his dream realized. Not only did he become a professor at one of the world’s most advanced technological universities – ETH Zurich – but he became its youngest professor in its history at the time.
Stodola faced tragic fires, ethnic oppression, family tragedies, and survived two world wars, spending half of his life abroad. The fight against adversity and, most of all, against his own weaknesses was his daily bread. He never gave up. No matter the circumstances, even when it seemed that there was no solution, he kept moving forward, even when there appeared to be no way left. A personal friend of Albert Einstein, Albert Schweitzer, and other giants of world science and art, he was the result of willpower and discipline. Strict discipline and creativity were the fundamental anchors of his life.
Privately, he lived in quiet despair, but outwardly, he showed nothing. On the contrary, he radiated energy, helped, and encouraged his beloved students, who loved him in return. Albert Einstein described him as a noble man with an unquenchable desire for knowledge and creation. Professor Josette Baer from the University of Zurich said, “We Swiss are also proud of the Slovak Stodola.” In the foreword of the book, Stodola’s contemporary successor, Slovak professor Juraj Hromkovič from ETH Zurich, quotes the master’s words: “Woe to the nation that does not care about the growth of its elite.”
Banáš’s third motivational novel, I Will Not Give Up! Aurel Stodola, is his contribution to the growth of elites – not just Slovak and Swiss, but anyone who wants to grow. It will motivate and empower anyone who is committed to growth.