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Summary: Musings Of A Brilliant Skeptic
Review: Author Kary Mullis attended the same high school as this reviewer, and knew some of the same people, but, unlike most of our school-mates, went on to win the Nobel prize in chemistry. In this delightful book, he explains for the layman's benefit such matters as the polymerase chain reaction, for which he won the Nobel, talks about his early exposure to chemistry (blowing things up), his conversations with the king and queen of Sweden, his experiences with LSD, and a possible abduction by aliens.It is all beautifully written, sparkling with manic humor, highly personal, and yet with a profoundly serious dark edge. Dr. Mullis is deeply concerned about the evolution of science in our time. He is skeptical of much current dogma and doesn't hesitate to shoot any cows no matter how sacred. He has some sharp words for environmentalists, for microbiologists, even nutritionists. He doesn't buy a lot of popular ideas which are supposed to be scientific. He doesn't buy into global warming. He doesn't necessarily believe that the HIV virus is the cause of AIDS. He even wonders if there might be something valid in astrology. Well, has anyone proved otherwise? This is a thoroughly entertaining book. I just read it for the second time, and while I still laughed my head off, I found it more disturbing on the second reading. Author Mullis raises some important questions. In an age that prides itself on being scientific, it is just possible that dogma has begun to replace experiment in the scientific method. Dancing Naked will definitely challenge your thinking, and it is fun to read. I recommend it highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.
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Summary: think for yourself - educate yourself
Review: most neg. reviews seem to complain about the lack of scientific detail or that mullis doesn't adequately back up his observations, opinions, assertions, etc. or that his writing style is not polished enough to warrant reading. why?? this book is NOT represented as a biography, text, or treatise. it is a look into the life and thoughts of an extraordinary person and i would rather read his own words as he writes them than some editor's attempt to cram them into an 'accepted style'. you don't have to agree with him. you don't have to like him. but at least think about the things he has to say. do your own research to determine if you share is views. and for those of you who don't feel he deserved the nobel prize because of other things he has done or things he believes....while your opinions are valid, as everyone's are, you don't get to make that decision. so instead of cutting the guy down and panning the book.... go write your own! *I* am. this is a great book to motivate you to think for yourself and educate yourself.
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Summary: beautiful humanist genius teaches gently by example
Review: kary mullis is a genius, but genius alone is not enough to encapsulate his humanistic and respectful value system. the book is a series of vignettes from mullis' experiences -- including some science and a lot of life. it was a great pleasure to read, not particularly for literary value but, instead, for the direct uncensored access to his thoughts. mullis interposes no artifice, and has quite a lot to say.
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Summary: It's neither a textbook nor a journal article on PCR...
Review: Nor does it pretend to be. I am disappointed that some of my fellow reviewers have actually critiqued this work according to standards I normally reserve for treatises. Yes, Mullis is a hedonistic, puerile man with an ego of whopping proportions who wrote a book about himself. Yes, he engages in some very unscientific hypothesis. Frankly, I'm glad he's stepped outside of the lab a time or two. It made for an interesting read. Further, I wouldn't hesitate to blame natural selection for any casualties resultant from literal interpretation of this work. Mullis seems to enjoy a colorful square as much as he does a gold star. Seems to me that he's had a healthy dose of both, right in the middle of his forehead. I found his tribute to himself refreshing in its honesty. In my book (and apparently his), feigned humility is a bit cloying. I'd think pretty highly of myself if I were a nobel laureate. Actually, I think pretty highly of myself without one. I don't necessarily believe self-confidence should be reserved for professional athletes only. Would Mullins' critics have allowed him to join in the reindeer games if he had titled the book, "Why, This Old PCR?" After spending far too long in a huge cardboard moving box, then almost three months on my "to read" shelf, "Dancing Naked in the Mind Field" was selected purely by chance as my companion on a weekend journey by train from New York City to Philadelphia. It was an amusing trip.
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Summary: I loved this book
Review: I read some of the negative reviews of this book, and I think it's great that you pin-head science geeks don't like this book! You don't like it because Dr. Mullis isn't like you..he doesn't think with his head up his back side. Get over yourself and enjoy this book with Kary's refreshing look at science, the paranormal, global warming, etc. Maybe if you got out of the lab, and lived a little, you'd appreciate this book more.
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Summary: Only a couple of chapters in...
Review: I've only read the first couple of chapters so far, but I find the writing style extremely irritating - I'll read the rest of the book, but I'm dreading what I'll find when (as I've read in these reviews) the writing deteriorates in the later chapters... It strikes me that Mullis is trying to be Richard Feynman, but failing miserably. The same ingredients are there (drumming/surfing, meeting important people and talking about unlikely topics, womanizing, getting into science as a kid, etc.), but whereas they make Feynman seem more human, Mullis comes off as self-centred and arrogant.
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Summary: i love you kary....
Review: ok, i am in love with kary mullis after reading this boook. it was all around amazing. he touches on lots of different subjects and the book doesn't really seem to follow any kind of pattern, its just lots of good bundles of thoughts. i think that kary gives new meaning to "thinking outside the box" and he probably lives outside the box. such an innovator. such a genius. if you are a dorky-science-fiend you'll love this book.... oh, and i would like to note here that anyone who reads and dislikes this book is not fit for life and obviously ignorant. everyone must love this book, i demand it. hehe :o)
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Summary: Great read for creative thinkers or those who wish to be
Review: I found this work by Dr. Mullis very enlightening on a number of levels. Sure, he doesn't go into the complex details of biochemistry at every opportunity . . . rather he chooses to take you on a trip through his life and his experience in a way that forces you to think and discover on your own. For anyone who ever wondered how people like Dr. Mullis figure things out, this is your guide. I particularly enjoyed his description of how to solve puzzles. Dancing Naked in the Mind Field should be required reading for anyone whose has ever wondered . . .If you are wondering if you should by this book, buy it and then continue to wonder.
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Summary: breath of fresh air
Review: A most refreshingly funny, thoughtful, creative, genuine and fearlessly iconoclastic free thinker.
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Summary: knockout
Review: If you are looking for a fresh perspective to science, you have found it!
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