In Search Of The Double Helix

by John Gribbin

UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF LIFE ON EARTHThe search began with Darwin's historic voyage on the Beagle and it continues today in the laboratories of the genetic engineers. How did life on earth begin? What is the key to evolution that insures only the fittest survive? How do we differ from other species? And how might tomorrow's scientists read—and alter—the biological blueprint to eliminate disease, birth defects, and even create new life forms?Acclaimed science writer John Gribbin draws on his expertise in quantum physics to tell the story of one of the greatest and most dramatic of scientific discoveries. His search for the elusive double helix takes us through the twists and turns of disappointment and discovery on a fascinating quest to the source of life itself. In clear, straightforward language, he presents the lives and thoughts of the men and women whose pioneering work in physics, biology, genetics, and chemistry combined to provide a basic understanding of how life evolved—and continues to evolve—on earth. He follows the trail of discovery from X-rays, mutations, quantum mechanics, the molecular clock, and sexual reproduction—all the way to the innermost workings of the human cell. And he shows how modern science first learned to "crack" the genetic code of life and the profound consequences this new knowledge will have on our future.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Biology, Popular Science, Physics, Genetics, History

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

John R. Gribbin is a British science writer, an astrophysicist, and a visiting fellow in astronomy at the University of Sussex. His writings include quantum physics, human evolution, climate change, global warming, the origins of the universe, and biographies of famous scientists. He also writes science fiction.

Reviews

[Michael Huang]

[rec. from “A fortunate universe”]

[Vismay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refresher of all that I had studied in school, and a lot that I hadn't (which forms the second part of the book). It is quite fascinating how DNA actually goes about in making proteins, and how using these two - we can map when in time humans actually diverged from chimpanzees and gorillas.
Quite interesting indeed!!!

[Luis Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gribbin es uno de los más acuciosos divulgadores de ciencia, puede introducirse con mucho detalle en temas bastante complejos y a veces seguirlo resulta difícil (como en este libro), pero se agradece un texto que condensa evolución, física, biología y bioquímica, lo que brinda un panorama bastante amplio y sólido alrededor de lo que significa la vida como fenómeno físico. Difícil de leer (por lo menos la sección media del libro) pero el esfuerzo valdrá la pena.

[Rebekkila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, I just studied a lot of this stuff in school.