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Following his highly praised and bestselling book "Genome: The Autobiography of a Species" in 23 Chapters, Matt Ridley has written a brilliant ... read full description
reviews
Jan 22, 2009
Gerald
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A detailed, readable and witty treatise on how life is controlled by genes (nature) and how life controls genes (nurture). The research, the ideas, the roots of various theories of understanding from 100 years or more to studies that are quite current are all layed out.
I've listened to audio tapes of the book for a couple of years, and am now going carefully through the book, to locate and home in on specific details that I need to study to fully grasp.
The book is a marvelously read More...
I've listened to audio tapes of the book for a couple of years, and am now going carefully through the book, to locate and home in on specific details that I need to study to fully grasp.
The book is a marvelously read More...
Nov 20, 2010
Igor
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I've accepted the fact that nature combines with nurture to shape most things that constitute life. Matt repeats this like a communist parole in this book. Ok, i got that. But he has filled me up with so much information that i feel that i should read this book again and write down the essential stuff and then look at the extract and try to figure out the rules. Although i learned a lot from this book, i don't know much more about how nurture influences nature than i knew before i started readi
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Aug 19, 2011
Cassandra
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I love this author. He is direct with his examples, moves quickly and yet you never feel like you miss a step. It's always very fluid and easy with Ridley. I preferred both the Genome and the Red Queen to this however, if you have yet to read much on the subject of genetics those would be a better start. Not because anything in this one is incomprehensible in the least bit without any other knowledge, but more just because if you had to pick any one of these awesome texts those would be a better
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Nov 20, 2008
Jon
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This book is a great introduction to modern genetics. It's an easy read, which covers a great breadth of topics, while going into detail only when needed. Using examples seen in nature (mostly from various scientific studies), this book explores how genes are affected by the environment and how the genetic machinery works in general. This book is defiantly worth reading if you are interested in genetics
Dec 10, 2010
Kirsty
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Fabulous look into the relationship between genes and environment. Though it's left me more confused than ever. Though more informed than ever too. In summary, and as the title of the book sums up very neatly, there is no "versus" in the nature v. nurture debate. Great writer - the amount of information is enormous but the text is eminently readable all the same.
Nov 24, 2008
Sarah
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I read this on the beach a few years ago. While baking my skin cells in the sun wasnt highly conducive to my brain cells retaining statistical information and theories on genetics, one theory did manage to lodge itself in my toasted brain- the argument for biological gay-ness, which I still cite today when embattled with homophobes.
Dec 30, 2011
Randy
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More in-depth than other Ridley books I've read (and that makes it more satisfying somehow).
In a nutshell, Ridley is discussing the nature vs. nurture argument: are organisms the product of their genes? or their upbringing?
He spends a chapter examining the history of the argument from Plato through Darwin... then the rest of the book on the pendulum swings since Darwin.
In short, he holds that the answer is "Yes." Genes help determine development, bu More...
In a nutshell, Ridley is discussing the nature vs. nurture argument: are organisms the product of their genes? or their upbringing?
He spends a chapter examining the history of the argument from Plato through Darwin... then the rest of the book on the pendulum swings since Darwin.
In short, he holds that the answer is "Yes." Genes help determine development, bu More...
Sep 01, 2011
Voodoochilli
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To me this book felt like a padded out version of Genome, incidentally an excellent book. If you have read Genome recently, then you will notice many, many facts being repeated here almost verbatim. On it's own, this book is probably great, but it is a lousy read if Genome is still fresh in your memory.
Dec 14, 2011
Fabiola
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This book poses a interesting question about nature vs. nurture. What I liked most about the book is all the examples and all the history of famous experiences that are the base of science today. Great read! You won't be able to put it down (especially if you're into science)!
Dec 28, 2010
Jeff
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This books offers some interesting perspectives on a topic that has perplexed scienctists for decades. After reading the book I still believe that both nature (our biochemistry) and nuture together both play a prominent role in who we are as individuals.
Dec 22, 2008
Laura
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Matt Ridley has the amazing ability to take science and make it completely understandable without trivializing it or making it mundane. As a total psych nerd, I loved this book!
Oct 11, 2011
Brenda
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I love the clarity of Ridley's writing. With his books I feel I really do understand the subject -- compare and contrast with Stephen Hawking, where I can feel my cortex starting to smoke.
Jan 17, 2009
Katrina
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Probably now completely outdated, but really interesting nonetheless. Planning on reading The Agile Gene next. Matt Ridley reminds me that I don't hate science.
Apr 30, 2010
Christopher
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Great book. I've read a few by Matt Ridley now and I find myself agreeing with many of his conclusions. His writing style is mediocre, but the content is golden.
Jul 13, 2011
Meesh
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Everything is not written in our genes or by our parents. We determine much of it through the choices we make on our paths. So many factors shape us.
Jan 26, 2012
Robin
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This really should be 3.5 stars, but I'll round up. Some of it was too technical (aka boring) for me so I skipped over, but it did include many interesting studies. I read the entire book and STILL have no idea what the point of writing it was except to give the reader a lot of seemingly unconnected information. But it was written simply enough that a non-science person could mostly understand.
Sep 11, 2009
Daniel
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Good read on the basics of nature and nuture. It is funny I learned all of this basic psych classes in the early 90's.
Apr 28, 2008
Beth
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Absolutely fascinating book about the relationship between genes and Nature and Nurture. Everybody knows that both nature and nurture are involved in making a living being who or what they are, but this book goes into the details about how the two forces work together (for good and evil!), and it turns out to be a more intricate and surprising relationship than you'd ever imagine (unless of course, you've done a degree in genetics).
Easy enough for the lay person to read, but interest More...
Easy enough for the lay person to read, but interest More...
Oct 06, 2011
Charlotte
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A refreshing look at the old nature-nurture question, Ridley demonstrates that not only does nurture depend on genes, but also that genes need nurture. Fascinating.
Apr 11, 2009
Lea
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I was excited about this book. I read an article by Ridley and then went out and baught the book. I agreed with him, but found that it got repettitive and there was no new information coming to me about halfway through. I didn't finish it. Also his revered GOD "Genome Organizing Device" was wierd for me.
I did like what I read about the relationship between genetics and socialization. As with most heated debates I didn't see this as a black and white issue before I picked up
I did like what I read about the relationship between genetics and socialization. As with most heated debates I didn't see this as a black and white issue before I picked up
Jan 27, 2010
Kendra
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Finally got this book done. It was a very enjoyable overview of the authors views on various gene-related issues and why we are human. Well written, easy reading for your average person, not so technical as to be a turn-off. The author covered basic biological sciences, along with psychology, and discussed various scientists views about the individual topics he wrote about. Quirky bits of humor throughout the book as well.
Nov 06, 2011
Claudia
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Temas muy interesantes de genética. Me agradó el mensaje de que el eterno debate entre ambiente y genes es inútil, aunque quiza no debió ser tan reiterativo.
Sep 21, 2007
Heidi
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I love reading Ridley because it's the right blend of "popular science." It's easy to read, yet still scientific, yet also very interesting. I feel like each page has an interesting story or fact to think about...and with to pester the person next to me ("hey, hey, didya know...?!"). His colloquial writing style has started getting on my nerves in places.
Jan 09, 2008
Shlomo
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Very interesting, but not as lucid as genome. A little more cutesy, and a little more meandering as well.
I would have preferred more about the chains of genes switching each other on in response to environmental factors, rather than the entire philosophical and psychological history of the nature/nurture debate/discussion.
I would have preferred more about the chains of genes switching each other on in response to environmental factors, rather than the entire philosophical and psychological history of the nature/nurture debate/discussion.
Feb 24, 2008
Wendy
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I am a hard cord science person, but I LOVE this book for what it brings to the non-science community. It absolutely fascinating and approachable, but doesn't see the need to "dumb it down". You ever wonder how you feel about Darwinism and creative design ... read on so you can talk intelligently ...
Dec 17, 2009
Adih
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Behaviors --further, personalities-- are predisposed genetically and switched on (or off) by appropriate environment within critical TIME.
Jul 29, 2008
Dave
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I learned so much from this book about nature, nurture and genetics. I am now a scientist.
May 22, 2008
Maggie
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typical approach to this almost ancient sociobiological debate; engaging but not novel
