The Gene: An Intimate History Paperback – Large Print, April 18, 2017

As others have stated, the writing is both clear and elegant. Modern genetics is a hugely important topic, but the future of genetics technology is murky. Mukherjee deals nicely with the complexities although there are bound to be disagreements about his conclusions and musings. More to the point, understanding modern genetics is far from easy especially for those of us without the appropriate scientific background. Toward the end of the book when he discusses many of the modern technologies the going gets rough. However, I have a fairly good lay understanding of genetics, and have read many attempts to explain how all this works. It's just hard work. There were certainly places where I didn't completely follow although perhaps a second or third reading might have done the trick. At any rate this is by far the best introduction to modern genetics although something like Genetics for Dummies would make a nice companion for help in clarification. The latter is somewhat too simplified (and now dated), but it is useful for relatively non-technical explanations.The author nicely integrates discusses individual cases including those from his own family which makes for a more interesting reading. He also does a superb job of bringing the history to life by focusing on individual scientists and their contributions. It would have been fun to read more about the various personality conflicts and rivalries, but such gossip while interesting is hardly central to the story. The early part of the book dealing with early genetics through Watson and Crick is engaging, and in fact I could hardly put the book down during the first half when the technical issues are not so complicated. The latter half is certainly less of a page turner, but there's just no way to give a reasonable explanation in page-turning mode.This book is certainly too long and too detailed for the causal reader, but it's brilliant for those of us willing to invest some time. Even the parts I didn't fully understand were interesting if a bit opaque. Highly recommended so long as potential readers do not expect an easy go of it.The negative reviews are mostly about delivery failures and Kindle mishaps which are not relevant to the worth of the book. These are not issues likely to affect the majority of us and say nothing about the book itself. This is not the best place for complaining about such matters although, of course for some items consistent problems in manufacture and delivery are important to know. Not true here. And there are legitimate complaints about some material that might have been included but wasn't. However, the lack of such material is hardly reason to denigrate the whole book. I too missed material that I wish had been included, but the book is long and inevitable decisions must be made about what gets in and what doesn't. Missing material, which is not extensive in any case, is hardly reason to give the book really low ratings. It's important to have such lapses pointed out, but they have to be balanced against the many strengths of the book.

This book makes one think of biology in an introspective fashion. Its state of the art narrative compels the reader to view life with a little more awe that is induced by the current scientific understanding of what makes ‘Us’…‘Us’. The author connects the dots in a broad array of scientific subject matter that leaves the reader informed and in my opinion self improved. He accomplishes this in an enticing manner using several approaches that makes the science of genes blend with everyday life.Early on the author personalizes his account by using family anecdotes that bonds the reader to the subject matter about to be presented. Reader empathy develops as the author recounts his family history with its assorted ills. Most people can relate to intimate anecdotes about family problems.He uses historical perspective to put scientific enlightenment in context.Who gets credit for what is the human side of scientific achievement but all science is built on the previous insight and work of predecessors. His smooth narrative provides an enjoyable understanding of the building blocks of genetic science. As Johnson had his Boswell so to did Mendel have his Bateson. The reader finds himself musing as to how the father of genetics just missed the boat by not having his heritable pea traits named ‘mendelibles’. Instead we have ‘genes’.The author’s network of links between life’s social issues and life’s DNA are presented in such a seamless manner that no fair reader should take offence. The genetic role in various topics pertaining to intelligence, gender, race, disease, crime, abortion, and eugenics is discussed is such a clear and disarming manner that it tempers the hot button nature of these issues. His connection with the reader is solidified by his obvious attempt to be genuinely objective.It is noted with some disappointment that the topic of consciousness as it relates to the DNA code and human genome was scarcely mentioned. As the gold standard of human life this phenotype might have received a little more attention than a nod or two.As a salient feature of humanity, this ‘gorilla in the room’ should have been given a few more citations especially if it’s going to soon know that it’s a gorilla.This book leaves me with various impressions. With the genetic code of the human genome demystified, the scientific understanding of the actions of genes in monogenic illnesses has advanced by leaps and bounds. On the other hand, the scientific understanding of the combinatorial actions of genes that cause polygenic illnesses and traits is still in its embryonic stage. Environmental feedback mechanisms that can activate or deactivate genes add to the biological mystery. Gene editing techniquesalong with cutting edge research striving to change the genome of a human embryo contrasts profoundly with research that cautions about inferring the capabilities of human embryonic stem cells from mouse embryonic stem cells. An aura of scientific gambling develops that seems to be taking place on the knowledge tip of an iceberg. Under the water lies our ignorance.The author has a knack for incorporating literary references into his narrative to clue the reader as to what lies ahead in the subject material. Shakespearian references make several appearances but a pertinent tocsin may have been given by one that was missing. “…laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” was the omen believed by Macbeth. He met his demise at the hands of Mr. Macduff who proved to be Macbeth’s ultimate toxin.I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants a current and perspicuous account of our past, present and future genetic nature.