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Loading... The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius,…by Sam Kean (Author)
None. Another great work by Kean, author of The Disappearing Spoon. This one focuses on DNA and, like Spoon is chock full of good science as well as fascinating stories to illustrate such. Highly recommended! (  ) ScoutJ | Apr 27, 2013 |  An entertaining history of DNA and the scientists who strove (and are striving) to figure out how inheritance works. Kean is a wonderfully clear and concise writer whose enthusiasm for his subject readily infects his reader. (  ) eapalmer | Apr 12, 2013 | This was marketed as a fascinating reveal of how genes affect things like JFK's skin tone and other fascinating human interest type stories. There are plenty of interesting anecdotes and individuals who make an appearance; however, it actually leans much further in the direction of an actual science book than the back flap would lead you to believe. The real focus in this book is the history of genetics and the scientists who worked to solve the mysteries of DNA and chromosomes. This is not something to be criticized, because it's written well, and goes very explicitly into the science aspect at the level of cells and molecules and their effect on inheritance and evolution and is generally clear and told with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor; I would save any criticism for the marketing and titling of the book. (  ) templetonbreaks | Mar 30, 2013 | Sam Kean is quickly becoming one of my favorite science writers. This new book, sort of a biography of DNA, has all the humor, clear explanations, and wonderful stories of his previous work. ( ) wanack | Jan 30, 2013 | Currently NOT in Tercs Library  atercs816 | Jan 17, 2013 | no reviews | add a review
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"The author explores the wonders of the magical building block of life: DNA. There are genes to explain crazy cat ladies, why other people have no fingerprints, and why some people survive nuclear bombs. Genes illuminate everything from JFK's bronze skin (it wasn't a tan) to Einstein's genius. They prove that Neanderthals and humans bred thousands of years more recently than any of us would feel comfortable thinking. They can even allow some people, because of the exceptional flexibility of their thumbs and fingers, to become truly singular violinists. Kean's vibrant storytelling once again makes science entertaining, explaining human history and whimsy while showing how DNA will influence our species' future"--Provided by publisher.… (more)
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