General information about history of DNA discovery.

From the horse's mouth, a broad-ranging account to mark the 50th anniversary of the double helix. I like his rejection of genetic-engineering-o-phobia.

The book is undoubtedly very interesting. It has lots of information on genetics, genetically modified foods, gene therapy, DNA in crime investigation, in addition to the history of DNA discovery from Mendel onwards. But, it is a one-sided account. Watson touches upon many ethical issues and expresses his, and only his opinion, and finishes there. He never explores pros and cons, never gives other people's opinions, laughs at people who oppose GM foods and gene engineering. Not nice. I, Watson, the "navel of the world". Worth reading, though, for the info. ( )

James Watson has long been a hero to many, including this humble reviewer. His justified fame is augmented with a laudable forthrightness, a rarity in this era of political correctness and fear of new scientifically grounded knowledge of the nature of the human beast. His honesty in confronting the meaning in the data and willingness to take on the theologians and the pseudo-scientific quacks who infest the departments of theology, anthropology, psychology and sociology of the academies is an inspiration to us all.
DNA is not just a book about genes and DNA. It is about the essential nature of man himself, and the political controversies generated by the new insights. Is is a tale of how this new science is finally vanquishing the old wives' tales, the mantras of the bishops, and the ignorance of the wishful thinkers. Watson is a brilliant exponent of the hard truth over the comfortable conformity.

He was, though, I thought, a little hard on the eugenics movement of the early part of the last century. This is an idea that has never really been vanquished, nor should it be--man will (hopefully) never cease to try to improve himself and his race. These men knew, as we must, that in these matters we are required to proceed in the absence of perfect information about the consequences of our natal policies. In a hundred years our present ignorance will stand revealed, as will that be two hundred years hence. Should we rely on what we know now, or should we only rely on tradition, theologians, and mass-media induced hysteria in the meantime?

On race, Watson is courageous and not afraid to let the data take us where it will. He believes that we have a lot to learn yet on this subject, and is not ready to be pushed around by the dogmatists who are only to willing to tell us how to think. Good for him!

The book is an excellent read, and is very attractive in its layout and generous illustrations. The writing style he uses is exceptionally clear--even conversational at times, navigating the space between talking down to the reader and an academic rant with great skill and sensitivity to his audience. It has a lot for the reader already knowledgeable about molecular biology, as well as, incredibly, the general reader. ( )