ubermensch84's review against another edition
4.0
This book was not as good as The Gene or Emperor of All Maladies but that is an incredibly high standard. I'll read anything Mukherjee ever writes.
stray_laura's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
ipekreading's review against another edition
4.0
The more I appreciate a book the harder it is to write a review for it. I have loved how Siddhartha Mukherjee writes medical and scientific stories and histories ever since The Emperor of All Maladies and I was incredibly excited to read this.
In the Song of the Cell, Mukherjee starts with the discovery of the cell before journeying through scientists' paths to increased understanding, different discoveries, and ultimately development of new medical treatments born out of our growing ability to manipulate cells.
Given the subject matter this is an unavoidably dense book, but it is by no means dry. As in his previous books, Mukherjee recounts important discoveries by telling the personal stories of the people behind them, presenting compelling narratives (including biochemist fist fights!) rather than textbook-like explanations. He also draws on his own personal experiences, reflections and references to other literary works to make complex material memorable and easily accessible to readers.
Anyone who is involved in biological sciences and medicine will undoubtedly find this compelling. But even if you aren't familiar with the cell beyond high school biology, Mukherjee makes the material compelling enough that you'll get caught up in the narrative rather than bogged down in the details.
A huge thanks to Scribner for sending me this ARC. This has been the perfect fall read to immerse myself into and I can't wait to discuss it with friends and family once they get their hands on this.
View this and more of my reviews on my instagram @ipekreading
In the Song of the Cell, Mukherjee starts with the discovery of the cell before journeying through scientists' paths to increased understanding, different discoveries, and ultimately development of new medical treatments born out of our growing ability to manipulate cells.
Given the subject matter this is an unavoidably dense book, but it is by no means dry. As in his previous books, Mukherjee recounts important discoveries by telling the personal stories of the people behind them, presenting compelling narratives (including biochemist fist fights!) rather than textbook-like explanations. He also draws on his own personal experiences, reflections and references to other literary works to make complex material memorable and easily accessible to readers.
Anyone who is involved in biological sciences and medicine will undoubtedly find this compelling. But even if you aren't familiar with the cell beyond high school biology, Mukherjee makes the material compelling enough that you'll get caught up in the narrative rather than bogged down in the details.
A huge thanks to Scribner for sending me this ARC. This has been the perfect fall read to immerse myself into and I can't wait to discuss it with friends and family once they get their hands on this.
View this and more of my reviews on my instagram @ipekreading