The Double Helix : A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA

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Summary: The Double Helix
Review: The Double Helix by James D. Watson is a true story based on the real life discovery of the structure of DNA. The book takes the reader on the journey from the beginning. It provides background information on what James Watson and Francis Crick, who co-discovered DNA, were doing. It starts with their early work that did not involve DNA at all. Watson soon becomes intrigued by DNA and when he met Crick in Cambridge some years later, peaked his interest also. This is where their story together began on their journey to finding one of the most important pieces of science ever discovered.

Watson and Crick's brilliance are appreciated as they struggle through their problems in trying to work out the unknown and please their employer Sir Lawrence Bragg at the same time. At certain points in the story, both have to put DNA on hold, while they worked on other experiments as instructed. They keep working with the DNA structure in their spare time. When they reach a dead end, they start over and logically work their way through what they know. With the help of others, such as Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins and the use of their x-ray diffraction pictures and other technologies, they are able to obtain information that help them on their way to fame. Not only does this book provide the reader with information on Watson and Crick but gives insight on other scientists and their theories at that present time, such as Linus Pauling and his alpha helix. In the book's conclusion, it is finally revealed how Watson and Crick were able to discover the structure of DNA. With knowing how they discovered the structure, the reader is able to obtain a better understanding of what DNA is.

This book is a very easy read. The language it contains is simplistic and easily understood. The book is not lengthy. It is well written and keeps the reader interested, but in turn, still teaches facts and the history of the discovery of the DNA structure. I highly recommend this book, if you are interested in science or not. It is an enjoyable read that provides the reader with information and some humor. Overall, I would highly recommend The Double Helix by James F. Watson.

Rating:
Summary: The Double Helix
Review: I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in either learning about DNA or furthering his or her studies and knowledge on the subject. This was an entertaining, short read with a large amount of information packed into one book. The information was comprehensible and easy to read, which made understanding the contents much easier. James Watson, the author of the book, speaks not only of his research with Francis Crick, but his relationships with most members of the DNA team; Maurice Wilkins, Linus Pauling, and Rosalind Franklin are all characters in the book. It's interesting to read Watson's views on these people, but if it's one complaint I have about this book it is that it is in the point of view in which you can only understand Watson's views. You do not fully understand what these other people contributed. It is a very bias piece book. It's pretty sad that after all the work Rosalind Franklin did, she is not recognized as genuinely as Watson and Crick are. It is sad that she died probably of cancer, and as a result of her work with radiation.

As previously stated, this book was very informative, but not overly scientific. The vocabulary was explained, which was helpful, coming from someone who does not have a very large genetic vocabulary to begin with. Watson is quite humorous, as he once states that he likes to be "seated near the evenings box of chocolates." He talks about his personal life, too, as opposed to simply stating the facts that he has discovered while working with DNA. He talks about his sister, Elizabeth Watson, and he talks about his disliking of "Rosy" Franklin. Watson journeyed to many different colleges throughout his life, and he speaks of those with the highest dignity.

This book was an overall good to read. It was very informative yet also enjoyable.


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Summary: Mercurial and iconoclastic
Review: "The Double Helix" is Watson's scattered memory of how he and Crick discovered the structure of DNA, along with other significant figures who were involved. Self-absorbed, biased, and disorganized as it is, Watson frankly revealed what scientists are like behind the honorable mask they put on for the masses.

The truth that Watson is a bad writer does not take away all the attractions of the book, fortunately. Some occasions Watson dwelled on seemed to have no relationship with the DNA discovery at all. Moreover, his prejudice against Rosalind Franklin is extremely annoying. Still, Watson and Crick's story is generally fun to read, and it was somewhat entertaining to see what evil schemes they used to rise to prominence.

Despite to all the turmoil and controversy Watson invited when the book was first published, it has become a modern classic out of most people's expectation. Remarkably, Watson revealed scientists' real intention to do researches- for fame and profit rather than having the sacred wish to improve human life. Scientists are, after all, human, so they party, compete and do extremities in order to achieve their goal. Watson, in particular, is probably among the most notorious to have written this book.

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Summary: The double helix.
Review: The earlier chapters are somewhat disorganized, but understandably so perhaps: Watson is not exactly a writer. "The Double Helix" is a fascinating tale about how DNA structure was discovered and understood in detail. It is written in novel form, like a biography - which adds a little more humanity and simplicity to it all. Therefore, anyone can read it.

As you get to the middle, it gets quite involved as Watson narrates the ups and downs that he and Crick (and others) encountered. He also writes about the jealousies, tensions, and hardships in science research. He describes his partner, Francis, as a constant talker - almost obnoxious. I found the way Watson described Rosalind Franklin a little unsettling. It seems that he just casts her off as a choleric woman having a hard time in a men's world of science and research. It's clear that he doesn't give her the recognition she deserves. I doubt that Watson and Crick would have solved the structure of DNA without Rose's hard work in crystallography and x-rays.

On another note however, it's good that Watson wrote this book when events were still fresh in his mind, as he claims. As for DNA itself...people shall keep on making more and more discoveries a thousand years from now. Watson and Crick (and others) just helped hurl things up to the horizon. Discoveries on DNA, chromosomes, genes, etc. shall continue to unprecedented heights. And who knows what else is out there that we don't know?

I almost gave it 4 stars, but truth be told: my mind was less than piqued by Watson's writing style. And maybe if he showed the tiniest bit of respect for Ms. Franklin, her contributions, and her hard work.


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Summary: Rotten little cheats and liars don't deserve the Nobel prize
Review: You won't find the truth about the quest to the discovery of DNA from reading Watson's self serving "memoir". He totally distorts the role played by Rosalind Franklin of Kings College, and fails to disclose the central role that her work served in deciphering the double helix. This is one of the greatest disgraces in the history of science, and completely casts a pall upon any credit to which Watson & Crick might lay claim. Had they honored the brilliant contribution of this great scientist, Rosalind Franklin, they could hold their heads high and take great pride in the role that they played in the discovery of DNA. But the fact that they basically stole all the credit, left her out of the picture when telling the story, and distorted, and lied about their dependence on the remarkable work of Rosalind Franklin, turns them into a couple of cheap confidence men, lying and cheating their way to a reputation and a career that would never have been possible it not been for Rosalind.

If you want to know the true story, go elsewhere. Watsons claims are far from the truth of the matter.