The Chemistry of Life: Eight Lectures on the History of Biochemistry

by Joseph Needham (Editor)

This assembly of lectures, each on a major aspect of the development of biochemistry, should appeal to anyone with an interest in the history of science and the nature of living things. Seven of the eight lectures are by eminent biochemists and describe the development of their own subject from the inside; the eighth is a more general one by a professional historian of science. They contain a good deal of information not readily available elsewhere and do not require a special knowledge of biochemistry. The lectures were originally given as a series, over a period of several years, under the auspices of the department of the History and Philosophy of Science in the University of Cambridge.

244 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1970

About the author

Joseph Needham was a British biochemist, historian and sinologist known for his scientific research and writing on the history of Chinese science and technology. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1941, and a fellow of the British Academy in 1971. In 1992, Queen Elizabeth II conferred on him the Companionship of Honour, and the Royal Society noted he was the only living person to hold these three titles.

Reviews

[Paul Waring · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tricky one to review as you really need a background in biochemistry to follow the history - this is not a 'popular science' book aimed at the general public. I think if I had more knowledge of the subject I would have got more out of this book and perhaps awarded 3 stars.