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mrdietz's review against another edition
3.0
A three-star rating feels too low, but a four-star rating feels too high. Of course, that's not to say that The Gene isn't meticulously researched, impressively composed, and engagingly written. There are plenty of moments within these pages that made me stop and think about my place in my ancestry. How have the past generations of my family guided my genetic code to this moment? Mukherjee deserves credit for authoring such a complete portrait of an entire field of science.
At the same time, I found the book to be long and dense. Mukherjee has framed his historical perspective on genetics around struggles in his own family, but these mostly fall away save for at the conclusion of the books major sections. This book is primarily concerned with the history of genetics and the explanation of how genetics works. For a reader who hasn't taken a biology class since college, I found the majority of the first half accessible. I remembered conversations about Crick and Watson and Gregor Mendel. The back half was fascinating, particularly when discussing the future paths genetics might take in the coming decades, but most of the science began to creep past my level for understanding.
Another reason for my lesser rating is mostly because I have a hard time imagining someone else enjoying this on my recommendation. I'm not sure there is a person in my life, which is probably a shame, who would genuinely enjoy reading this work. To be sure, Mukherjee has done tremendous work here. But I can't imagine many folks would relish this work who didn't already have a vested interest in science for science's sake. The text is about as straightforward as they come as far as detailing the history of a scientific field.
I learned quite a bit, and I'm glad I read The Gene, though I would be cautious before recommending it to anyone who is not ready for the entire story of a very necessary science.
At the same time, I found the book to be long and dense. Mukherjee has framed his historical perspective on genetics around struggles in his own family, but these mostly fall away save for at the conclusion of the books major sections. This book is primarily concerned with the history of genetics and the explanation of how genetics works. For a reader who hasn't taken a biology class since college, I found the majority of the first half accessible. I remembered conversations about Crick and Watson and Gregor Mendel. The back half was fascinating, particularly when discussing the future paths genetics might take in the coming decades, but most of the science began to creep past my level for understanding.
Another reason for my lesser rating is mostly because I have a hard time imagining someone else enjoying this on my recommendation. I'm not sure there is a person in my life, which is probably a shame, who would genuinely enjoy reading this work. To be sure, Mukherjee has done tremendous work here. But I can't imagine many folks would relish this work who didn't already have a vested interest in science for science's sake. The text is about as straightforward as they come as far as detailing the history of a scientific field.
I learned quite a bit, and I'm glad I read The Gene, though I would be cautious before recommending it to anyone who is not ready for the entire story of a very necessary science.
teaandlibri's review against another edition
2.0
Tries to do too many things at once. Although I have 'The Emperor of All Maladies' I have not yet read it. But after hearing this book was on its way and managing to snag a copy relatively quickly I thought I'd just go ahead and read it while I had it and hold off on 'Emperor'.
Unfortunately it wasn't worth the wait. The book purports to be a look at the gene and our genetic information. How we discovered the gene, the implications of its discovery and what we can do as technology marches on plus a bit of his own family history and what genetics can mean for a family.
Instead the book is far too ambitious. It's a history, it's commentary, it's a family portrait, etc. If you have information on the history of the gene, evolution, etc. then you'll probably find some of the information repetitive. It's been awhile since I've had this and I did learn a bit. But as some reviewers note: as a non-science inclined person and being distant from that information as I've been out of school for awhile made this an extremely tough read. It needed better editing and I occasionally got the impression the author was a little too bogged down with the details and/or a bit too in love with his own writing.
In all honesty I found the parts concerning Mukherjee's family the most compelling. I enjoy when an author can tie this to personal experience and it also probably helped that I have some similar experiences and have had some of the same questions he had, especially towards the end when asking about how events affect his family and how things might have been different if certain scientific advances had been made sooner or if his family members had been born later. It appears I am a bit of an outlier in this as from other reviews most people didn't seem to enjoy that.
If you're a science/biology-inclined individual this could be a great read. I hesitate a bit on this rating because in some ways I thought this book actually shared some of the same problems of another book I just read with too much information and not enough editing. I think interest in the particular subject will also play a big part. The writing is a bit dense but the subject matter might be enough for some to get them to read it.
I borrowed it from the library and I'm glad I did. Put it on your list but don't feel bad if you have awhile to wait. It's not a must-read-right-now type of book. But I'll still check out his 'Emperor' since reviews that were down on this book said that book was much better.
Unfortunately it wasn't worth the wait. The book purports to be a look at the gene and our genetic information. How we discovered the gene, the implications of its discovery and what we can do as technology marches on plus a bit of his own family history and what genetics can mean for a family.
Instead the book is far too ambitious. It's a history, it's commentary, it's a family portrait, etc. If you have information on the history of the gene, evolution, etc. then you'll probably find some of the information repetitive. It's been awhile since I've had this and I did learn a bit. But as some reviewers note: as a non-science inclined person and being distant from that information as I've been out of school for awhile made this an extremely tough read. It needed better editing and I occasionally got the impression the author was a little too bogged down with the details and/or a bit too in love with his own writing.
In all honesty I found the parts concerning Mukherjee's family the most compelling. I enjoy when an author can tie this to personal experience and it also probably helped that I have some similar experiences and have had some of the same questions he had, especially towards the end when asking about how events affect his family and how things might have been different if certain scientific advances had been made sooner or if his family members had been born later. It appears I am a bit of an outlier in this as from other reviews most people didn't seem to enjoy that.
If you're a science/biology-inclined individual this could be a great read. I hesitate a bit on this rating because in some ways I thought this book actually shared some of the same problems of another book I just read with too much information and not enough editing. I think interest in the particular subject will also play a big part. The writing is a bit dense but the subject matter might be enough for some to get them to read it.
I borrowed it from the library and I'm glad I did. Put it on your list but don't feel bad if you have awhile to wait. It's not a must-read-right-now type of book. But I'll still check out his 'Emperor' since reviews that were down on this book said that book was much better.
jakestillwell's review against another edition
5.0
An unputdownable book—written with the narrative sweep of an epic, meticulous attention to scientific and historic detail, and prismatic perspectives on race, gender, sexuality, ethics, and science, and how the gene intersects with all of them.
laurenkimoto's review against another edition
3.5
I can understand the criticism parts of the scientific community has with this book.
txwitch80's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book immensely. Everything, and I mean everything, is genetic. A great read.
indrabindra's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Mukherjee traces the history of genetic science from Mendel to present day CRISPR technology & pharmaceutical industry. Focus is more on individual characteristics of actors in the story while touching on the effects of discoveries and technologies on society. Very plodding.
First quarter of the book rang back first year biology courses. Methods in experiments are described in detail, but understanding function was harder to grasp, both because of the scipop similes to "everyday" affairs, and because function was not actually described in the book until it came up in chronological discoveries. A full picture is never quite in view.
I wanted this book to be more critical. The attempt at objectivity and avoiding bias resulted in a very long book that is not very interesting and not very helpful, considering the many beguiling ethical, moral, social, and political histories and implications involved in genetic sciences. Mukherjee mentions that these exist, but does not investigate them.
First quarter of the book rang back first year biology courses. Methods in experiments are described in detail, but understanding function was harder to grasp, both because of the scipop similes to "everyday" affairs, and because function was not actually described in the book until it came up in chronological discoveries. A full picture is never quite in view.
I wanted this book to be more critical. The attempt at objectivity and avoiding bias resulted in a very long book that is not very interesting and not very helpful, considering the many beguiling ethical, moral, social, and political histories and implications involved in genetic sciences. Mukherjee mentions that these exist, but does not investigate them.
bookslucyreads's review against another edition
Found it hard to continue. Kept zoning out of the audiobook.