
DNA
The Story of the Genetic Revolution
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Narrated by:
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Jonathan Cowley
About this listen
The definitive insider's history of the genetic revolution - significantly updated to reflect the discoveries of the last decade.
James D. Watson, the Nobel laureate whose pioneering work helped unlock the mystery of DNA's structure, charts the greatest scientific journey of our time, from the discovery of the double helix to today's controversies to what the future may hold. Updated to include new findings in gene editing, epigenetics, and agricultural chemistry as well as two entirely new chapters on personal genomics and cancer research. This is the most comprehensive and authoritative exploration of DNA's impact - practical, social, and ethical - on our society and our world.
©2017 James D. Watson, Andrew Berry, and Kevin Davies (P)2017 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Overall
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Changed this strict genetic determinist's mind
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
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Interesting at times but repetitive, badly written
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- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In the mid-1970s, scientists began using DNA sequences to reexamine the history of all life. Perhaps the most startling discovery to come out of this new field is horizontal gene transfer (HGT), or the movement of genes across species lines. For instance, we now know that roughly eight percent of the human genome arrived not through traditional inheritance from directly ancestral forms, but sideways by viral infection - a type of HGT. In The Tangled Tree David Quammen chronicles these discoveries through the lives of the researchers who made them.
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Very Enjoyable and Readable
- By Dennis on 08-18-18
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Critic reviews
What listeners say about DNA
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- Oleksii Kuchaiev
- 06-25-19
One of the best books I’ve ever read
I am not a biologists but wholeheartedly enjoyed this book. It gives a fantastic, breathtaking (and very well written) overview of the field of genetics and its implications to medicine and beyond. The author does a great job explaining exciting advances, potential breakthroughs and dangers of genetics. He also does a great job of pointing out that the progress is not something that is given but is something that is worth fighting for because of its potential to improve human condition much like it did during enlightenment and subsequent agricultural and industrial revolutions.
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- Richard T Kleppick
- 02-24-24
Explaining the topic at a basic level
I appreciated how a very complex concept was made understandable.
The cadence of the author was constant throughout the book. I learned a great deal
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- halo82x
- 04-25-24
informative yet conflicting.
The book is quite informative. However, some of the conclusions and implications are a bit conflicting. I'll just leave it at that.
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- Merry Rogers
- 05-16-20
A rare gem
I knew about W&C&F. I’m honored and grateful. JDW and his team have reintroduced this wisdom which they have organized perfectly. How often (never) will you have a 90 year story told in the first person by a Nobel prize recipient. I cried when the last chapter ended. The story could be called Genesis. The beginning. Thank you.
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- Madshoesmith
- 06-24-23
Best genetics book I have yet read
I have read numerous books on dna and genetics, this is by far the most enlightening
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1 person found this helpful
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- Miranda
- 11-10-17
A great review of the progress made regarding DNA
A very interesting read / listen for anyone who works with DNA! Makes one appreciate how far the technologies have come!
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2 people found this helpful
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- delusional
- 10-18-19
Fascinating and Eloquently Written
James Watson is clearly a proponent of advancing all areas of genetic science for good, with compelling arguments. This was the first book on DNA I have read, and although I can't say I understood every word (as the author said he had aspired to write in a way that a non biologist would understand every word), I feel I came away with a broad understanding of the history and major facets of genetic science, as well as some of the social and political considerations. At nearly 500 pages, I confess I at times wished for a shortened summary.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Bill
- 11-26-18
Excellent review of Genetics Research
I have listened to several recent books on genetics, e.g. 'The Tangled Tree' by David Quammen and 'She Has Her Mother's Smile' by Carl Zimmer, 'A Crack in Creation' by Jennifer Doudna. These are all great, but this revised version of an earlier book seems both up to date and and as comprehensive as feasible for a non-specialist audience. I found it so informative that I purchased the paperback to read more carefully and to serve as a reference. I found the final chapter in which the author discusses the debate about whether it is permissible for humans to improve themselves genetically when it becomes technically feasible to do so safely - to be particularly interesting - perhaps because my views align closely with those of the author. Dr. Watson, at 90+ is refreshingly willing to share not only his prodigious knowledge about genetics, biochemistry, cancer, etc. but also his views about how we should use this knowledge. This is probably the personally most impactful audio book I have listened to in the past couple of years. My only small criticism is the British accent of the narrator. It is clear he did not grow up in Chicago and Bloomington, Indiana.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Matthew Duncan
- 04-24-18
Structures the history of everything DNA
Hearing the story of 'life' revealed from Dr. James Watson himself, with full coverage of all the twists and turns, politics and triumphs, and the absolutely phenomenal progress made, is the pure essence of education, and that which defines the difference between ignorance and enlightenment. You MUST read this, if you wish to participate in the journey of enlightenment!
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4 people found this helpful
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- Purchaser
- 11-11-18
Very Informative!
I enjoyed this trip through DNA land years to discover many things about myself and my ancestors. Great book and enjoyable listen. Highly recommended!! #Inspiring #SelfDiscovery #WorldWarII #tagsgiving #sweepstakes
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