Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters (P.S.) | 
 enlarge | Author: Matt Ridley
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  179 reviews
Sales Rank: 13466
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 0060894083
Dewey Decimal Number: 599.935
EAN: 9780060894085
ASIN: 0060894083
Publication Date: June 1, 2006
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Condition: Brand New - Direct From Distributor - Light Shelf Wear - Remainder Mark
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Amazon.com
Science writer Matt Ridley has found a way to tell someone else's story without being accused of plagiarism. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters delves deep within your body (and, to be fair, Ridley's too) looking for dirt dug up by the Human Genome Project. Each chapter pries one gene out of its chromosome and focuses on its role in our development and adult life, but also goes further, exploring the implications of genetic research and our quickly changing social attitudes toward this information. Genome shies away from the "tedious biochemical middle managers" that only a nerd could love and instead goes for the A-material: genes associated with cancer, intelligence, sex (of course), and more. Readers unfamiliar with the jargon of genetic research needn't fear; Ridley provides a quick, clear guide to the few words and concepts he must use to translate hard science into English. His writing is informal, relaxed, and playful, guiding the reader so effortlessly through our 23 chromosomes that by the end we wish we had more. He believes that the Human Genome Project will be as world-changing as the splitting of the atom; if so, he is helping us prepare for exciting times--the hope of a cure for cancer contrasts starkly with the horrors of newly empowered eugenicists. Anyone interested in the future of the body should get a head start with the clever, engrossing Genome. --Rob Lightner
Product Description
The genome's been mapped.
But what does it mean? Arguably the most significant scientific discovery of the new century, the mapping of the twenty-three pairs of chromosomes that make up the human genome raises almost as many questions as it answers. Questions that will profoundly impact the way we think about disease, about longevity, and about free will. Questions that will affect the rest of your life. Genome offers extraordinary insight into the ramifications of this incredible breakthrough. By picking one newly discovered gene from each pair of chromosomes and telling its story, Matt Ridley recounts the history of our species and its ancestors from the dawn of life to the brink of future medicine. From Huntington's disease to cancer, from the applications of gene therapy to the horrors of eugenics, Matt Ridley probes the scientific, philosophical, and moral issues arising as a result of the mapping of the genome. It will help you understand what this scientific milestone means for you, for your children, and for humankind.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 174 more reviews...
 serendipitous genes July 13, 2008
I am not a geneticist and therefore have a very tiny knowledge of our genes. I am however, intensely interested in them, and in learning about them, so I bought this book as a result of searching and recommendations. And I am THOROUGHLY enjoying it! I am not understanding all of it, of course. The entire book is crammed with information, but in such a wonderful writing style that it becomes joyful to be fed massive treasure troves of facts and figures.
One thing that I have come to realize with more and more clarity as I have read this book is how obvious our evolutionary past is, if one is willing to dig deeper into our inner workings. Another is just how incredibly intricate our bodies are and our genes work in tiny and astounding simplicity and great detail, in order and in chaos, in adherence to laws and utter refusal to conform.
For someone with interest in our genes or the Human Genome Project, this is a must-read. For those who aren't interested, then it doesn't really matter, because you likely aren't reading this review anyway.
Excellent Book January 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I read this book with only a moderate amount of background in Genetics. My interest is more like a hobbie so when I first started to read Matt Ridley's Genome I was afraid there would be alot I wouldn't understand. Thankfully, I was very wrong.
The subject matter is very interesting and told in a helpful, nonacademic manner. I would recommend this book to everyone who has an interest in biology and genetics.
 Good science read, flawed by unnecessary political opining December 24, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Having read a number of books on this topic, I picked up this one while on vacation. I did enjoy the book overall and would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject. It is not a textbook of genetics by any reach, more of a layman's approach to what is a very complicated area of biology that does have some core ideas that even a non scienetist can grasp.
It is a shame that the author cannot hold back his political opinions, which seem to just surface for no particular reason in various parts of this book. Albeit that the subject matter does tread on some delicate socio/political topics, that doesn't require him so so obviously vent his rather one sided subjective take on the matter at hand. It doesn't help that he offers little or no backing for his opinions, just his say so.
 Genome-The Autobiography of a species in 23 chapters November 28, 2007
Here is a book packed with newly-learned technical facts, yet it is easily read.
This book provided me with exactly the information, which I needed, at a key time in my personal research. I had previously learned how DNA and different kinds of RNA work together to manufacture proteins for the body. I was ready to learn more details about how different parts of the body use this engine. Matt Ridley and his book were "Johnny-on the-spot" for me. His writing style made it a painless journey for me and at times, it was downright exciting.
I especially liked the chapter on chromosome 8. I previously had thought little science was known about junk DNA. Now I understand that our DNA has been a battleground for viruses and other microorganisms over the last billion or more years. The junk DNA segments are remnants from those battles.
Another theme that impressed me was that all animal life uses the same biochemical solutions to exist and reproduce. We use the same twenty amino acids to build proteins. We have the same active genes in most cases. Even the way different genes work together is the same. I found this unifying concept to be awe-inspiring and to be another fact supporting the evolution of species.
The book deserves four stars because a lot of work obviously went into writing it. Matt Ridley is to biology as the late Carl Sagan was to astronomy. Both of these authors brought intelligence, understanding, and great story-telling skills to an audience, thristy for knowledge.
Ralph Hermansen, 11/27/2007
Genetic Drift? November 5, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
4.9 stars. I like this book very much. This is a "novel" approach to explaining the genome which will become even more important in the future. I do not understand why Genetic Drift in not explained. Mutation, Natural Selection, AND Genetic Drift (statistical survival of alleles) are the primary mechanisms of biological evolution. He comes close to describing Genetic Drift when talking about Cavalli-Sforza's statistical analysis of the blood groups in 1970. This omission may be worth 0.1 stars.
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