R.A.W.: Book: DNA, The Secrect of Life

Book: DNA, The Secrect of Life · 29. March 2005, 22:21

DNA, The Secret of Life by James Watson

James Watson, wrote this book as an accessible introduction to the fabric of life, Deoxyribonucleic Acid, more commonly known to you an me as DNA. James Watson was the codiscoverer of the double helix strucuture of DNA so his authority on the subject is guaranteed.

The book is a mostly engaging read throughout, giving an understandable introduction to the microscopic world that is the foundation of all animals. Unlike Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything this book is not really a popular science book suitable for everyone. The book delves deep into details that only the truly interested and curious will probably care about.

My only criticism of this book is that it could be better, not by including more but instead by confining his personal views to a single chapter. The author is clearly a passionate believer in the future usefulness of DNA in our society. It is wholly within his rights to express his views within his book and indeed many of his arguments cast a new light for me on the scaremongering often reported in the press about DNA manipulation. In my opinion however, confining these arguments to a single chapter would have improved the presentation of the real science immensely.

Overall however, this book is definitely a must read for anyone looking for an introduction to this exciting new area of science.

* * *