Lessons in Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott, a chemist in the misogynistic 1950s and 1960s workplace who faces barriers to her PhD due to patriarchy. After being forced out of her research, she becomes the reluctant star of a TV cooking show. Zott uses her platform not just to teach women to cook but to challenge the status quo and encourage them to change their lives. The book is a blend of humor and shrewd observation, exploring themes of science, relationships, and trauma.