Thoroughly enjoyed this one -- I read it on the train and had a hard time putting it down at the end of each commute. The subject is fascinating to begin with, but Kean really brings it to life and adds a fair dash of wit as well. Recommended!

Great book on the history of DNA, RNA, genes, heredity, etc. Told with humor and lots of insight into the scientist that made the discoveries. Highly recommended for anyone that loves science and learning new things.

'The Violinist's Thumb' is a perfect read for girding up one's loins for holiday dinners where lots of family members plan to attend. Not only are the stories the author relates of the foibles and craziness of world-famous scientists who were involved in knowledge about DNA give one preparation for facing down your more ordinary intolerable relatives, the chapters which actually explain DNA may provide insight on why you can't stand some blood relations. Body smell which repels you might be due to MHC chemistry. Those siblings you have called 'Neanderthal' since you were teens might actually be one.

Sam Kean provides ample evidence humans, and even scientists, are genetically amazing in how we duplicate, develop and express our DNA and connected processes.

However, our faith in civilization may be misplaced. Kean makes it obvious, particularly from the way some of these scientists behave, that whether we are smart or stupid, civilization, affection and manners are abstract concepts. The famous 'scientific method' might trigger more personal animus in action than is usually acknowledged. It looks to me like The Method is behind many of the murderous feuds and competition! The personal stories of the scientists as told by Kean, which occasionally led to their discoveries, or led, eventually, to the acceptance of their discoveries, are sometimes pathetic, sometimes terrible, sometimes hilarious.

As amazing discoveries about DNA are being revealed, some only in the last 20 years, how our biology works at the molecular level is fantastic. We ordinary mortals read in Kean’s book what these scientist geniuses are sussing out through their pure intelligence, luck and personal cussedness. Knowing these people put pants on one leg at a time (if they remembered to dress), seeing how the sausage is made, so-to-speak, might deflate our awe to a degree. But scientists are trying to understand the microscopic functions they are able to measure, quantify and prove. It was never more true, as Kean shows, scientists are using logical provable observations and creative insights, building on the work of others, often in the face of withering contempt from their peers. These tough guys can publish their guesses, explorations and conclusions in the face of public scorn, and sometimes public humiliation (twitter storms are minor breezes compared to hatreds between scientists).

I recommend this book as an amusing and illuminating general science read. I watched Youtube videos to help me out with the chapters that describe very detailed, multi-step processes.

I found this book difficult to follow, with too many side stories and unnecessary details. I did learn a lot about different scientists, as well as a bit about genetics, and I commend the author for attempting to take heavy material and make it understandable for the general public, but I just couldn't stay focused while reading it. Beyond that, I feel like the author didn't really have a thesis to begin with. It is a bit of a stretch to say this book actually had a point.

This book isn't as exciting as Kean's first book, the Disappearing Spoon, but it's pretty good.
It starts out incredibly dull and boring but after you get past the basics of DNA the stories become more interesting. Do you know what happens when you eat polar bear liver? You will and it's not pleasant.
I'd recommend the spoon book before this but if you're really into genetics and biology you'd probably enjoy this.

Kean is a very talented science writer, and this book is extremely readable — I powered through it in a little more than three days. He takes complex topics, breaks them down, and explains them in a way that everyday readers can understand, no small feat when it comes to genetics. Kean also provides a good balance of anecdotes and transitions easily between stories and science (a switch that I have seen awkwardly and/or abruptly handled in a lot of nonfiction). Usually, genetics isn't a nonfiction subject that I'm compelled to read about, unlike (say) psychology, but I blew through book and found myself wanting to check out some of Kean's sources for more information. This is definitely a book for a generalist audience and not DNA buffs who want to get in the weeds, but seeing as how I am a generalist reader, that was just fine by me.

This was essentially a series of essays on a variety of topics associated with genetics and some history on how we know what we do. It was interesting and engaging, but sometimes gross and disconcerting(ie topic such as cannibalism and attempts to make humanizes). It would be interesting to get some updates on further stuff we have learned since it was published. Also, I didn't care for how he romanticized rape in regards to Thomas Jefferson and maybe/probably the sexual encounters between humans and Neanderthals.

I think I'm probably too old and too Christian for Sam Kean's ideal audience. But this title is interesting and quite readable ("real" scientists probably turn up their noses at these science books for the masses, right?) Anyway, if you liked "The Disappearing Spoon" you'll probably like this (with one or two caveats).

Okay, I made it 70 pages in before I stopped. The book is actually really fascinating, and maybe I'll return to it when I'm in the mindset for a more scientific informational read with a mild side of humor. It's just not working for me now...call me picky. Mr. Kean, your books and I will doubtless meet again one day when my attention span is longer.

Oddly, this is usually during the summer, not during the school year, when I'm already swamped with work. My "beach reads" end up being door-stoppers - a teacher's predicament.