Rating: 
Summary: A entertaining read that makes one biotech-savvy
Review: It's such an entertaining, educational and inspiring book. It makes you want to join this exciting field of research! DNA is impacting social life to a greater degree everyday, such as DNA finger printing, fetal genetic disease screening tests, cloning, gene therapy, human genome ... Without a good understanding of DNA, it becomes difficult to understand the concepts and implications of these new technologies and how to deal with them. I began reading with the only understanding that DNA is what's passed from generations to generations, and when I finished reading, I feel I have a good grasp on all the important issues the society needs to be concerned with bio- technologies. And, it's such a fun and easy reading! I am certain the 21st century is the biotech century and this book has certainly prepared me for it. A sequel in another 5 years is all I can wish for!
Rating:
Summary: Shooting quacks
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Shooting quacks
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Unfolding story of DNA and genetics, and its implications
Review: James Watson's book, DNA: The Secret of Life, describes the history of DNA and genetics from a scientist who was an eyewitness to the revolutions in genetics. Watson helped discover the 3D structure of the double helix, and led out as a director of the Human Genome Project. There are three main aspects to this book: 1) the recent and on-going history of scientific discoveries in the exploration of genetics, 2) the mechanics of how things work (such as how DNA replicates or is cloned, or how genes are linked to diseases, etc.) and 3) the author's perspective of how life evolved. Prior to the discovery of DNA, people have been playing around with heredity and the role of inheriting traits in breading animals and agriculture since the beginning of history. But with the developments of science, the study of genetics has brought more light to the subject. Watson talks about the people who contributed to the emerging field of genetics, from Gregor Mendel and Charles Darwin, through the "eugenics" movement of the early 1900's, to the Human Genome Project. By telling the stories of the struggles in science, with the author's frankness, honesty and wit, Watson gains authority and authenticity in the presentation of his information. This book is illuminating and will arouse an interest in the subject of genetics in every reader. My only personal problem with the book is that the author presents his opinions and perspectives within the text as if his opinions themselves were facts, while in truth there are many issues that are still debated. Watson starts with the founding assumption, or presupposition that life is the result of chance. He makes some unfounded assertions or conclusions that might have other alternate viewpoints. For example, he goes from talking about the chemical properties and processes of DNA replication, jumping to how life began in an "RNA world." He also implies that Arthur Kornberg had created "life in a test tube," while Kornberg himself has written that he did not, in fact, create life. (Journal of Bacteriology) Watson also asserts that, "The Human Genome Project has proved Darwin more right than Darwin himself would ever have dared dream." But on what basis can he say this? The HGP merely sequenced and mapped DNA and cannot prove anything by itself. Watson employs circular thinking to support evolutionary claims: "proofs" that are founded on the presupposition that humans are results of evolution. The primary argument for evolution is the similarity between all biological systems. But, what if all biological systems were designed similarly on purpose? If something works well in one place, why redesign it? Watson believes that the "grandest mission" of molecular biology is to answer questions about ourselves and our origins as a species. But, as long as scientists start with the presupposition that humans are the result of evolution, the results will always be interpreted that way. So my only caution is that you should distinguish what is actually fact and what is merely the author's speculation. Anyway, I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the subject of genetics. Watson presents almost every aspect of the subject in clear detail, and he is frank about the ethical and social implications of the discoveries that are sure to challenge traditional ways of thinking.
Rating:
Summary: UNTEACHABLETRUTH
Review: Oakland schoolchildren can have their DNA tested. They are pleased at the surprising news abour "race." Every human being can be traced to Africa; there never was a master race, a slave race or a foreign race. No more name-calling. No more excuses. The pill may be a little bitter, but science has made humanity better, and equal. Here is a textboook which every child - on earth - should read. But where do we find teachers? DNA is fascinating. John Kerry's prominent jaw is a genetic trait.; he's not an alien but a fellow African. An ancestor way back had a mutated gene, that's all. I inherited my dad's bushy eyebrows. If you have freckles - well? Charlize Theron might have 100% perfect genes, but genes aren't everything. She and her mother speak a German dialect which is not genetic. Watson's book mistakenly implies DNA explains languages. The ability to speak is genetic , but thousands of separate languages evolved by usage; a prominent linguist suggests they all came from a common ancestral language. Out of Africa. Another mistake in Watson's book is asserting we will never know why humans created "culture." He's not an economist. I would love to explain how foraging tribes got into the art business, but Melinda Gates scoffs at my funding application. Microsoft, mysteriously, owns a chunk of the DNA action. The fundamental problem with this astounding book is that Watson and other DNA scientists cannot shake off the "Hitler problem" - extermination of genetically "inferior" people. Eugenics was a moronic American movement which led to vast horror - the Holocaust. Warson should be able to get his science off that hook, but doesn't. Can any teacher use this textbook without preaching eugenics?
Rating:
Summary: Put it togeter by a raconteur
Review: Overall a well-written book, but I wished Watson had shared with his audience his research findings on ethical questions of biotechnology, which his committee had posed in the Human Genome Project. It would be very interesting, to say the least , to view the conditions and sets of parameters under which the ethics are explored and questioned. To fully appreciating the merits and benefits of genetic research, I suspect that the ethical information would be helpful, to his audience, in weighing the pros and cons in the great genetic debate. Sometimes I sensed mixed messages on Watson's attitude, or his ethical ground on the use of genetic research. For instance, although I applauded Watson's stance against nefarious commercialization of human genes, or any life form for that matter, I became confused with his espousing the BT gene in reducing pesticide use, since he didn't seem too concerned with the adventitious spreading of genetically engineered plants into "wild" types. Indeed, the enterprise to "play with genes" can only bring up more questions for each one of us to face sooner or later in our life time, and by not sharing with his audience the findings of his research on ethics, Watson unfortunately performed a unsavory disservice to his audience.
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Summary: Lives up to the reputation of his name
Review: The names of Watson & Crick are one of those things that just seems to stick in everyone's head no matter how little they paid attention in school (kind of like the term onomatopoeia) so of course seeing a book written about DNA by James Watson of Watson & Crick fame set alarms going off in my head. I had high expectations of the book because of the author's intimate acquaintance with the subject but they were all surpassed and furthermore I was surprised by how enjoyable a read this book was and how nonthreatening Watson, along with his coauthor Andrew Berry, was able to present his subject matter.
The actual science in this book doesn't really go on beyond what one would lean in a freshman college or an advanced high school biology class but in presenting the science embedded in it's historical background DNA: The Secret of Life allows the reader to look at it again with new eyes, showing them not as the establish beachhead we believe those areas to be today but rather viewing them with the novelty and excitement they were initially greeted by.
But the actual metabolic functions of life's most important structure, DNA, comprises only a fractional portion of this book with the majority instead devoting much of it to the questions that possessing such knowledge raises. Genetically altered crops, reproductive implications, the question of `ownership' of sequenced genetic information-these are the true questions of the book. Watson, while possessing a very strong since of what he believe to be right and wrong in these different areas manages to be unambiguous about his views while at the same time not coming across as too much of a zealous so as to seem intractable.
Not only is this a great book by one of the most known names in the biological sciences but it is also written in a clear and engaging style which makes it such a great retreat to sit down and read for an afternoon.
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Summary: Thank you, Dr. Watson!
Review: This book has achieved a great feat: explaining genetics clearly without dumbing it down.
Rating:
Summary: Bravo! Must reading for everyone
Review: This book is every bit as good as the other reviewers suggest.
Although, I have not read other books in this field, I recognize excellent writing when I see it. I am compelled to state that a reader looking to learn about this complex field need look no further than this book in order to get a comprehensive, authoritative and highly interesting account - one that is not afraid to confront some of the major and controversial views.
A few additional comments:
a. While written very well, the material is such that I found this book to be one that is best enjoyed in many smaller helpings
b. It is one of the rare books that gets progressively more interesting, the further one gets into the book (somehow the topics are arranged that way) - patience and faith are strongly recommended. As a last resort, try one of the later chapters - they can be read independently of each other for the most part.
c. The arrangement may seem somewhat unstructured - have faith - there are so many aspects to this "field" - let the authority guide you.
d. While some readers may question the authors opinions, I found them extremely well reasoned and articulated - even if they feel a bit uncomfortable to start with. I saw no agenda other than the pursuit of science to benefit mankind.
Overall, hats off - I am very thankful that there are people out there that do write about such topics that may not have mass market appeal.
Rating:
Summary: Great General Science Book!
Review: This book IS mostly about DNA, but it contains so much more. Watson is one of the best science writers of all time. He makes it so interesting that even the most unknowledgable layman of all time will grasp most of the concepts in this vivid portrait. It reads like a novel at times and like an excerpt from a scientific journal other times. If you don't like reading, buy this book for the pictures, it has very interesting pictures with great captions! There is a picture on nearly every page! This book is really interest for scientist and layman alike!
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