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The Secret of Life Howard Markel (University of Michigan)

The Secret of Life By Howard Markel (University of Michigan)

The Secret of Life by Howard Markel (University of Michigan)

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Summary

A definitive history of the race to unravel DNAs structure, by one of our most prominent medical historians.

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The Secret of Life Summary

The Secret of Life: Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick, and the Discovery of DNA's Double Helix by Howard Markel (University of Michigan)

Biologist James Watson and physicist Francis Cricks 1953 revelation about the double helix structure of DNA is the foundation of virtually every advance in our modern understanding of genetics and molecular biology. But how did Watson and Crick do itand why were they the ones who succeeded?

In truth, the discovery of DNAs structure is the story of a race among five scientists for advancement, fame and immortality: Watson, Crick, Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins and Linus Pauling. They were fascinating and brilliant, with strong personalities that often clashed. But it is Rosalind Franklin who becomes a focal point for Howard Markel. The Secret of Life is a story of genius and perseverance but also a saga of cronyism, misogyny, anti-Semitism and misconduct. Markel brilliantly recounts the intense intellectual journeyand the fraught personal relationshipsthat resulted in the discovery of DNA.

The Secret of Life Reviews

"Howard Markels brilliant book examining the discovery of DNA is a must read for biologists and historians. But this is also a book for every reader; it brings to life the discovery of life itself. From Watson, Crick, and Franklin, to the dozens of characters that Markel includes, The Secret of Life covers vast and important ground... An indispensable work." -- Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prizewinning author of The Emperor of All Maladies and The Gene
"The discovery of DNA is one of historys light switch moments, when the world of scienceindeed, humanitychanged forever. Though much has been written on the subject, nothing remotely compares to Howard Markels magisterial account. Elegantly written, packed with fresh insights gleaned from a wealth of original sources, The Secret of Life takes us into the minds and laboratories of the leading players, highlighting their brilliance, their ambitions, and their sometimes questionable ethical behavior. This book is the merging of a seminal subject and superb authorone of the leading medical historians of our era. The result is truly remarkable." -- David Oshinsky, Professor of History and Medicine, NYU, and Pulitzer Prizewinning author of Polio: An American Story
"Howard Markels wonderfully-written book, The Secret of Life, explores the story of genetics up to the revolutionary mid-20th century decoding of the structure of DNA. And it does so in such brilliant detail that the result iseven for those who might think they know this storya tale that proves fresh, provocative, startlingly insightful, and addictively fun to read." -- Deborah Blum, Pulitzer Prizewinning author of The Poison Squad: One Chemists Single-Minded Crusade for Food Safety at the Turn of the Twentieth Century
"The 1953 discovery of DNAs double-helix structure might be one of sciences most fascinating and oft-told stories. Yet much about it is still contentious Howard Markels fine book focuses on the role of Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray crystallography image of DNA crucial to Francis Crick and James Watsons breakthrough was used without her permission." -- Andrew Robinson - Nature
"A cinematic account of toxic masculinity among 1950s DNA researchers [Rosalind Franklin] probably would have hated being the heroine of a movie, but were fortunate to have books such as this to put her back in the picture." -- Katy Guest - The Guardian

About Howard Markel (University of Michigan)

Over the past forty years, Howard Markel, MD, PhD, has practiced pediatrics and taught medical history at Johns Hopkins and University of Michigan. He is an award-winning author or editor of many books including his most recent history of DNA, The Secret of Life. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a Guggenheim fellow. His work has appeared in the New York Times and The New Yorker. He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Additional information

CIN1324002239VG
9781324002239
1324002239
The Secret of Life: Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick, and the Discovery of DNA's Double Helix by Howard Markel (University of Michigan)
Howard Markel (University of Michigan)
Used - Very Good
Hardback
WW Norton & Co
2021-10-22
576
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - The Secret of Life