I must say that i was shocked to read the double helix, perhaps one of the earlier drafts, after i had read your preface. Discussion of james watson and competition in science. James watsons book the double helix is rated as one of the greatest books written about science in. James watson is an extremely bright scientist who received his nobel prize at age 34 for work he started just ten years earlier. Given his part in discovering the structure of dna and his writing flair, we can perhaps forgive watson his lack of modesty. To put it differently, freedom involving speech many of us wholeheartedly reinforced. In the double helix, james tells the story, both funny and serious, of all his trials and tribulations leading up to the famous discovery.
Watsons book has been criticized in many ways, but the biographical process that lead to his discovery of the double helix structure of dna is nothing short of remarkable. Watson the double helix a personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna. Watson was only twentyfour, a young scientist hungry to make his mark. A personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna is an autobiographical account of the discovery of the double helix structure of dna written by james d. In 2012, the double helix was named as one of the 88 books that shaped america by the library of congress. Watson, with all its biological implications, has been one of the major. The doublehelix model of dna structure was first published in the journal nature by james watson and francis crick in 1953, x,y,z coordinates in 1954 based upon the crucial xray diffraction image of dna labeled as photo 51, from rosalind franklin in 1952, followed by her more clarified dna image with raymond gosling, maurice wilkins, alexander stokes, and.
Watson saw chargraff again, briefly, at the international biochemical congress in paris, but. It is a strange model and embodies several unusual features. Although we all know how this all worked out, the writing by james watson is just simply perfect. A personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna by james d. The double helix 1968 is a firsthand look at what is arguably one of the greatest scientific discoveries in human history that of the function and doublehelix design of dna. A personal account of the discovery of the structure of. In 1953, james watson and francis crick pieced together the structure of dna the nowfamous double helix. One of the most important discoveries ever in biology has to be that of the structure of dna. The great geneticists reissued classic is one of the most successful descriptions of how science is actually done. By identifying the structure of dna, the molecule of life, francis crick and james watson revolutionized biochemistry and won themselves a nobel prize. James dewey watson born april 6, 1928 is an american molecular biologist, geneticist and zoologist.
A personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna a norton critical edition by james d watson and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Last week i had some traveling to do and took the opportunity to reread a classic. By age 15, he had enrolled in the university of chicago, and by 25, working with francis crick and drawing, controversially, on the research of maurice wilkins and rosalind franklin, he had made the discovery that would eventually. A handsome first editionfirst printing in fine condition in alike dustjacket, signed and inscribed by james d. A new annotated and illustrated edition of james watsons book the double helix adds interesting details about the rivalries in the race to. It has earned both critical and public praise, along with continuing controversy about credit for the nobel award and attitudes towards female. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. In this book, watson examines not only the process. A personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna norton critical edit paperback. This book complements that written by the codiscoverer of the structure of dna, francis crick. The double helix is american scientist james watsons personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna. You should read it, keeping in mind that it is from his point of view and thus limited in that way. In 1953, he coauthored with francis crick the academic paper proposing the double helix structure of the dna molecule. Its a relatively quick read, dwelling less on science and more on the research atmosphere in post.
Watson describes the period before and after the famous letter to nature paper about a possible structure of dna, not scrimping on the details and being quite frank. Those who figure in the book must read it in a very forgiving spirit. Watson and crick took all the glory, but theres a forgotten hero of the double helix july 3, 2014 1. It becomes apparent throughout the whole book the elegant. Quotes by or related to james watson linus pauling and. I was indignant about the insinuation about my wife and the statements about other people, but.
Watson has 27 books on goodreads with 50536 ratings. This memoir picks up where watsons book the double helix finishes in 1953 just after the announcement of the discovery of the structure of dna, an historic achievement that won both watson and. The double helix by james watson of watsoncrick fame is a scientific even the words scientific memoir brings up an image of a long and boring book. Dna pioneer james watson reveals helix story was almost. To celebrate the release of a new annotated and illustrated edition of his 1968 book. Watson likes to contrast a scientific discovery with a work of art, a book or a musical composition.
It is the autobiographical account of the discovery of the structure of dna by one of the major players and nobel prize recipients. Watson, crick, and maurice wilkins were awarded the 1962 nobel prize in physiology or medicine. A personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna paperback june 12, 2001. James watson has led a long, remarkable life, starting at age 12, when he was one of radios highiq quiz kids. The suggestions to book the double helix additional readers will be able to come to a decision of a ebook. A book report on the double helix 1968 by james watson. This study guide consists of approximately 72 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the double helix.
After todays interesting class discussion and reading the first half of the double helix, i am beginning to have a better understanding of one the worlds most famous scientists and the way competition affects science. A personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna, published by cold spring harbor laboratory. Double helix a personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna by james d. Watson has written many science books, including the textbook molecular biology of the gene and his bestselling book the double helix. When james watsons book, the double helix, was published in. I thank your for your letter and the two new paragraphs of your preface to watsons book. James starts out with his fantasy of someday solving the g. An astonishingly personal and accessible account of how cambridge scientists watson and francis crick unlocked the secrets of dna and. He and francis crick succeed in determining the threedimensional chemical structure of dna in 1953, while they were working together at cavendish laboratory, at cambridge university.
The story of the most significant biological breakthrough of the century the discovery of the structure of dna. Even without understanding any of the scientific data processed here, the general reader will find it hard to remain immune to this account of. The double helix by james watson, first edition, signed. In a 2007 interview, he made offensive remarks about black. Among unpublished sources, watsons letters to his sister and also his parents are a major source of information about his cambridge life and have not been. Science seldom proceeds in the straightforward logical manner imagined by outsiders, writes james watson in the double helix, his account of his codiscovery along with francis crick of the structure of dna. It covers several areas i enjoy reading about science, discovery, genetics, history, and all from a first person perspective. Double helix day coincides with the actual date that james watson and francis crick discovered the double helix structure of deoxyribonucleic acid february 28th 1953 in cambridge, england.
Watson started back a few semesters ago when i was working on my. The classic personal account of watson and cricks groundbreaking discovery of the structure of dna, now with an introduction by sylvia nasar, author of a beautiful mind. The annotated and illustrated double helix, by james d watson. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Watson this study guide consists of approximately 72 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the double helix. Originally published in 1968, the book tells the story of his discovery of deoxyribonucleic acid, or dna. Buy the double helix reprint by watson, dr james isbn. Watsons personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna 1953, for which he, francis crick, and maurice wilkins were awarded the nobel prize in 1962. On the surface, the double helix by james watson should be right up my street. The double helix summary and study guide supersummary. The double helix follows a sequential format through twentynine brief.
Watson, crick and maurice wilkins were awarded the 1962 nobel prize in physiology or medicine for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure. Like crick, watson gives us a very personal and readable account. The double helix a personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna by james d. There are a lot of good books written about scientists, but not by scientists. Follow james watson as he navigates the bitter rivalries and oversized egos of the scientific community in 1950s england and, in the end, assists in one of the most unlikely of scientific breakthroughs. This lesson will discuss the life and scientific contributions of james watson, the american biochemist who was part of the team responsible for the. Dna pioneer james watson reveals helix story was almost never told. A personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna james d. Watsons book is an excellent firsthand account of this important discovery. James watson and francis crick discovered the structure of dna together. A personal account of the discovery of the structure of dna 1968 by james d. Watsons account of the discovery of the structure of dna, the double helix, is so well established as a classic of science writing that it needs no recommendation or comment from me as to whether you should read it.
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