Recuerdos de mi vida (tomo 2 de 2)

In this second volume the author turns his reflective gaze from youthful artistic wanderings to the disciplined pursuit of scientific work, driven by a lingering patriotism and a sober awareness of Spain’s cultural lag. Written amid the turmoil of 1915‑1916, the memoir intertwines personal anecdotes with a candid chronicle of how a modest “Histología española” emerged despite scholarly indifference. Richly illustrated with photographs and engravings, the narrative is aimed squarely at physicians and naturalists, offering a straightforward, pedagogical tone rather than literary flourish.

The opening chapters trace the author’s early academic path: a doctorate earned to satisfy his father’s expectations, years of study in Zaragoza, and the hands‑on experience of assisting his surgeon father in a bustling hospital. He recounts the frustrations of self‑directed learning in analytical chemistry and medical history, the setbacks of initial teaching exams, and the eventual triumph of securing a chair in descriptive anatomy at the University of Valencia. The tone balances modesty with the quiet determination that defines his scientific journey.