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Summary: The Most Important Biological Discovery Since Darwin
Review: Even though I read this book for my college Biology class, I wanted to tell readers that there isn't a need to have a strong biology background to enjoy this book. At first, one may be hesitant because a Nobel Prize winner wrote this book, and may be full of complicated scientific jargon. However, this isn't the case and is really enjoyable to see the "behind the scenes" discovery of DNA. This was a very fast reading and interesting book; I think it should be a must for anyone wanting to further their education in science.
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Summary: How to Become Better Informed about Rosalind Franklin:
Review: Several previous reviewers of "The Double Helix" have, rightly it seems, upbraided Watson for his negative portrait of Rosalind Franklin and his downplaying of her contributions to his and Crick's elucidation of the structure of DNA. The new book by Meyer Friedman and Gerald Friedland, "Medicine's Ten Greatest Discoveries," of course contains a chapter on this achievement, interestingly entitled "Maurice Wilkins and DNA." It tells the story of Franklin's involvement with the DNA research and the political abuse to which she was treated during her fellowship at Kings College London--a post from which she was ultimately fired. It also shows how Franklin's conflict with Wilkins--and his with her--probably cost the two of them the first prize in the race for the discovery. It was a race which Watson & Crick won by a whisker.
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Summary: The totally organic experience
Review: I found this book to read much more like a soap opera than a true scientific account. I think that it was this tendency that kept the pages turning. ALthough this was required class reading, it was a fast read, especially in comparison to some of the sleep-inducing journal accounts out there.
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Summary: Excellent Insight
Review: James Watson's book, The Double Helix, gives the not-so-scientific public excellent insight into how the scientific process was put to work less than fifty years ago to make a discovery that changed everything we know about biology and medicine. In an age where science is becoming increasingly important yet even less understood, this book portrays science as the dectective story that it is while throwing a delightfully human light on the scientists whose passion it is to unravel the puzzell. A quick, enjoyable, and necessary read for anyone who is or ever has been interested in science, as well as anyone else who likes a good "detective" story.
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Summary: Interesting, honest account of a historic discovery
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It worked for me on three levels - (1) as an account of the discovery of the structure of DNA, (2) as a brutally honest description of his moods, emotions and thoughts and (3) as a description of post war England. Worth reading
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Summary: Great as a novel, maybe.
Review: As a young woman in the still male-dominated world of science and technology, this book was utterly disappointing. Unfortunately, it is an easy read and proposes to be fact, misinforming its millions of readers as to what really went on behind the scenes of the lab. If you read this book, I suggest you immediately read Anne Sayre's "Rosalind Franklin and DNA." If you are a woman reading this book, then that doubly holds true.Watson's portrayal of the one woman involved in this great discovery is not only biased, but pure fiction. It is unexcusable. Franklin was responsible for much of the research that led to Watson and Crick's discovery of the structure of DNA, a discovery which gained them and Wilkins the Nobel Prize. Not only did Watson and Crick use her findings without her knowledge or consent, but did not even give her the proper credit for it. For a great scientist to make a statement such as "the best place for a feminist is in another person's lab" is horrific. A step backwards for any woman attempting to make a name for herself as a serious scientist. That this book has been so widely read and acclaimed makes it even worse.
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Summary: INSPIRING PIECE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANTS TO DO SCIENCE
Review: AS A GENETICIST I HAVE READ ALL ABOUT DNA AND RNA DURING MY COLLEGE DAYS. IT IS REALLY A THRILLING EXPERIENCE TO READ THE PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF THE DISCOVERY OF THIS WONDER LIFE MOLECULE. THE AUTHOR IS SO CLEAR AND FRANK IN HIS THOUGHTS. ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT BORN WHEN THE DISCOVERY WAS MADE RECENTLY I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE AUTHOR IN PERSON LISTENING TO HIM TELLING THE STORY IN HIS OWN WORDS. I AM FORTUNATE TO LIVE DURING THIS IMPORTANT PART OF HUMAN HISTORY. EVERYONE, SCIENTIST OR NON SCIENTIST, MUST READ THIS UNIQUE AND GREAT STORY ABOUT THIS UNIQUE DISCOVERY WHICH HAS A TREMENDOUS EFFECT IN EVERY INDIVIDUALS (DEAD OR ALIVE- I MEAN FORENSIC APPLICATION OF DNA)LIFE IN EVERY DAY AND EVERY MINUTE.
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Summary: Read it, if you want to be a scientist.
Review: I am an undergradudate student dreaming of a biologist. I think this book is very helpful to pre-scientists as well as lay people, for it shows failures and disappointments hidden behind a 'great discovery' together with how they are treated and overcome. I was also impressed by the scientific passion represented vividly in this book.
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Summary: Written for the lay reader. Superbly done.
Review: I feel that this book really shows the way that scientists think and lets you into the thinking process of one of the greatest minds.
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Summary: The original kiss-and-tell book. . .
Review: on the work and lives of scientists. Watson's tale importantly serves to humanise science by humanising scientists. He paves the way for a now-large literature.
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