The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNAThe classic personal account of Watson and Crick’s groundbreaking discovery of the structure of DNA, now with an introduction by Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind. 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 their thrilling sprint against other world-class researchers to solve one of science’s greatest mysteries gives a dazzlingly clear picture of a world of brilliant scientists with great gifts, very human ambitions, and bitter rivalries. With humility unspoiled by false modesty, Watson relates his and Crick’s desperate efforts to beat Linus Pauling to the Holy Grail of life sciences, the identification of the basic building block of life. Never has a scientist been so truthful in capturing in words the flavor of his work. |
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Page 25
Moreover , less than three months after my arrival in Copenhagen I was asked to
propose plans for the following year . This was no simple matter , for I had no
plans . The only safe course was to ask for funds to spend another year with ...
Moreover , less than three months after my arrival in Copenhagen I was asked to
propose plans for the following year . This was no simple matter , for I had no
plans . The only safe course was to ask for funds to spend another year with ...
Page 108
... but not as head of the fellowship board . The hat he now displayed was that of
the chairman of a committee of the National Research Council . A meeting was
being arranged for which I was asked to give a lecture on the growth of viruses .
... but not as head of the fellowship board . The hat he now displayed was that of
the chairman of a committee of the National Research Council . A meeting was
being arranged for which I was asked to give a lecture on the growth of viruses .
Page 122
When Maurice asked whether we needed the molds back in Cambridge , we said
yes , half implying that more carbon atoms were needed to make models
showing how polypeptide chains turned corners . To my relief , Maurice was very
open ...
When Maurice asked whether we needed the molds back in Cambridge , we said
yes , half implying that more carbon atoms were needed to make models
showing how polypeptide chains turned corners . To my relief , Maurice was very
open ...
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - tgraettinger - LibraryThingWonderful account of the discovery of DNA. Had almost the feel of a detective novel. It's a very easy, quick read. If you can find it, there is a video, "The Race for the Double Helix" aka "Life Story ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - pramodghuge - LibraryThingA very personal account by the author James Watson on how he and his colleague Francis Crick with the help of others beat Linus Pauling to win the coveted Nobel prize for identifying the structure of ... Read full review
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Common terms and phrases
acid adenine answer argument arranged arrival asked atoms backbone base pairs bases became began biological bonds Bragg building Cambridge Cavendish chemical chemistry coiled coils College completely conversation Crick crystallographic cytosine Delbrück double helix English equal evidence existed experiments face fact final Francis gave genes genetic give given groups guanine hand held helical hope hydrogen idea immediately important interest John join King's knew later letter Linus London look lunch Maurice meeting mind molecules months Moreover morning moved Nature needed never obvious Pauling Pauling's Peter position possibility problem protein quickly realized reason remained Rosy saying scientific sense solve soon structure success sugar sure talk tell theory thinking thought tion told walked wanted week X-ray
References to this book
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA |
| Author | James D. Watson |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Touchstone, 2001 |
| ISBN | 074321630X, 9780743216302 |
| Length | 256 pages |
| Subjects | › › Science / General Science / History Science / Life Sciences / Genetics & Genomics Science / Reference |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |