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Description edit
By identifying the structure of DNA, the molecule of life, Francis Crick and James Watson revolutionized biochemistry and won themselves a Nobel Prize. At the time, Watson was only twenty-four, a young scientist hungry to make his mark. His uncompromisingly honest account of the heady days of... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- James D. Watson: American molecular biologist, geneticist, and zoologist. Nobel prize winner for discovery of the structure of DNA.
- Francis Crick: An English molecular biologist, biophysicist, and neuroscientist, and most noted for being one of two co-discoverers of the structure of the DNA molecule in 1953, together with James D. Watson.
- Maurice Wilkins: A New Zealand-born English physicist and molecular biologist, and Nobel Laureate whose research contributed to the scientific understanding of phosphorescence, isotope separation, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and to the development of radar.
- Rosalind Franklin: A British biophysicist and X-ray crystallographer who made critical contributions to the understanding of the fine molecular structures of DNA, RNA, viruses, coal and graphite.
- Linus Pauling: An American chemist, biochemist, peace activist, author and educator. He was one of the most influential chemists in history and ranks among the most important scientists of the 20th century.
- Lawrence Bragg: An Australian-born British physicist and X-ray crystallographer, discoverer of the Bragg law of X-ray diffraction, which is basic for the determination of crystal structure.
- Max Perutz: Add a description of this character.
- John Kendrew
- Peter
- Herman
- Griffith
- Chargaff
- Elizabeth
- Luria
- Bertrand
- Rosy
- Jerry
- Lawrence
- Odile
- Delbriick
- Perutz
- Pauling
- Randall
- Naomi
- Markham
- Delbruck
- Bill
- Joshua
- Bernal
- Hugh
- Ava Helen
- Kreisel
- Todd
Setting & Locations edit
Show all 11 settingsFirst Sentence edit
I have never seen Francis Crick in a modest mood.
Series & Lists edit
This book is in 100 One-Night Reads: A Book Lover's Guide. (authoritative list)
This book is in TIME Magazine's All-TIME 100 Best Nonfiction Books. (authoritative list)
This is book 7 of 39 in Modern Library's 100 Best Nonfiction Books: The Board's List. (authoritative list)
Preceded by Selected Essays, and followed by Speak, Memory.
This book is in Folio Society. (edition-based publisher list)
This is book 33 of 102 in National Review - 100 Best Non-fiction Books of the Century. (authoritative list)
Preceded by The Liberal Imagination, and followed by Feynman Lectures on Physics (Three Volumes).
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Atheneum
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1968
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 226
Publisher: Atheneum
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1968
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 226
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 576
Subjects edit
Popular Tags
Links to Supplemental Material edit
- Book Review, Folio Society: The discovery in 1953 by James D. Watson and Francis Crick of the double helix structure of DNA – the molecular basis of all organic matter – has been called the most important scientific breakthrough of the 20th century. It has touched almost every aspect of modern life, from medicine and forensics to agriculture. Watson’s provocative insider account of how this discovery came about, The Double Helix, is a thrilling story of professional obsession and cut-throat rivalry; a battle of wits which not only revealed how genetic material could replicate itself but pushed modern science in an unprecedented direction.
Movie Connections edit
- Life Story (IMDb): Also known as "Double Helix," "Life Story" was a 1987 TV film dramatization made for BBC's Horizon science series.
Books That Cite This Book edit
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