Rating: 
Summary: Awful.
Review: It is beyond comprehension that this guy won a Nobel Prize! I'm sure they would take it back if they could. At times he sounds extremely intelligent and insightful but the use of LSD and the belief in astrology and aliens is very hard to reconcile with a rational mind. I agree with a previous review - I think he's had one tab too many...
Rating: 
Summary: Surely you're joking
Review: Very lightweight. There are three proto-books in here: 1) A scientific autobiography a la Feynman. These parts are OK, although they tend to support the thesis that physicists are wittier if not smarter than chemists. Mullins has no self-esteem problems.2) Some adventures in druggy/new-agey states of consciousness (astral projection, etc). These episodes are at least cleanly reported, but the implications are not explored from any particularly new perspective, so why bother? 3) An attack on certain big-science viewpoints, in particular the HIV theory of AIDS causation. Mullins advances some interesting views. His accusation that the HIV theory came about because a lot of virus scientists were looking for work is alarming, and somewhat believable. But to make such serious accusation in an offhand manner, interspersed with his other random thoughts, is highly irresponsible. In short, not worth the money. It's a quick read so you won't waste too much time, and it is entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Sadly disappointed in my fellow reviewers
Review: While admitting that the Dedication to this book is one of the most beautiful I've ever read, and that I enjoyed the first 3 chapters considerably, I must confess my astonishment that this book is being given 4 1/2 stars by my fellow Amazonians. The embarassing confessions of belief in astrology, astral travelers, etc. are troubling but forgivable (at least in anyone other than a Nobel Laureate) and only confirm our suspicions that Dr. Mullis has had one tab too many. But the degradation in writing style that occurs as the book proceeds looks like some editor at Pantheon Books was asleep at the wheel. The choppy, simple sentences sound like a Jr. High teenybopper and I kept losing whatever thread of logic there might have been. For those of you who think this is anything but smug, self-important, childish drivel I recommend you try anything by Stephen Jay Gould ("Leonardo's Mountain of Clams and the Diet of Worms" is his latest). Time to grow up!
Rating:
Summary: Use PCR, but read Feynman.
Review: My lab uses PCR almost every day and I thank Kary Mullis for making my research possible. Unfortunately Kary Mullis seems to now have turned his efforts towards convincing the public that scientists are unethical, lazy and stupid. His fascination with astrology and mysticism are acceptable. His misinterpretation and twisting of data are unforgivable.
Rating: 
Summary: Yowza! A rollicking good time.
Review: After reading Dr. Mullis' account of his invention of the Polymerase Chain Reaction, I was able to levitate a small table with the power of my mind alone. Thanks, Doc!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Mr. Mullis' book provides a well written insight into the mind of a genius. It is said geniuses think and look at things differently than "ordinary" people and this book certainly provides a path to the genius' thought processes. I would recommend it to all readers who would enjoy seeing things from a truly unique perspective.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny, light, not a masterpiece
Review: So, I read the book in one sitting. It was fun. It certainly reduced the scientific community to the level of screen door salesmen...busting a hump for the commission (or the federal grant). All hail Taine.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, but take it with a grain of salt!
Review: I picked this book up because he seemed to be a character out of the Feynman mold -- eccentric brilliant scientist has comic adventures and pokes fun at the science establishment. It starts out as just that. Unfortunately, about halfway through, be begins to wander from the trail of science into some uncharted territories which he claims are equally worthy of study: astrology, astral plains, telepathy, control of the weather.... HIV does not cause AIDS.... He destroys whatever credibility he had by failing to be critical when it serves him not to be. So yes, it's an entertaining read, he's a cocky and petulant iconclast who sounds like he'd be a lot of fun at a party. Just don't take everything he says as gospel. His whole schtick is that people shouldn't take anything at face value -- which must include his book!
Rating:
Summary: Must reading for the creative mind.
Review: Fresh, innovating thinking from a Nobel Prize winner.A must read for crative minds that often (should) challenge authority. Funny, informative...and he may be 95% correct. An astonishingly good book!
Rating:
Summary: A biochemist gives us a new view of some popular issues
Review: Kary Mullis won't win any friends in the FDA (or Glaxo, or...) with this book, but Americans who believe everything they "hear" about subjects such as AIDS and HIV should read this small but fascinating book. The man understands documenting claims and proving what you say. He's eccentric, certainly fidelity-challenged as far as women go, but he didn't get that Nobel prize in biochem for nothing. It is almost misleading to read his prose, because he takes concepts that are complex and renders them simple - because, to him, they ARE simple. No gobble-de-gook, and whether you agree with his world view, you cannot deny his important points. AND he'll make you laugh every once in a while, too.
| 
