The Double Helix : A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA

Since its publication in 1968, The Double Helix has given countless readers a rare and exciting look at one highly significant piece of scientific research—Watson and Crick's race to discover the molecular structure of DNA. In this Norton Critical Edition, Watson's lively and irreverent account is placed in historical perspective by Gunther Stent's introduction and by retrospective views from two major figures in the adventure, Francis Crick and Linus Pauling, and by Rosalind Franklin's last student, Aaron Klug. Background materials include reproductions of the original scientific papers in which the double helical structure of DNA was first presented in 1953 and 1954. In Criticism, which begins with "A Review of the Reviews" by Gunther Stent, other scientists and scholars reveal their own experiences and views of Watson's story. There are reviews by Philip Morrison, F. X. S., Richard C. Lewontin, Mary Ellmann, Robert L. Sinsheimer, John Lear, Alex Comfort, Jacob Bronowski, Conrad H. Waddington, Robert K. Merton, Peter M. Medawar, and André Lwoff; as well as three letters to the editor of Science by Max F. Perutz, M. H. F. Wilkins, and James D. Watson. . The Classic Personal Account Of Watson And Crick’s Groundbreaking Discovery Of The Structure Of Dna, Now With An Introduction By Sylvia Nasar, Author Of A Beautiful Mind. By Identifying The Structure Of Dna, The Molecule Of Life, Francis Crick And James Watson Revolutionized Biochemistry And Won Themselves A Nobel Prize. At The Time, Watson Was Only Twenty-four, A Young Scientist Hungry To Make His Mark. His Uncompromisingly Honest Account Of The Heady Days Of Their Thrilling Sprint Against Other World-class Researchers To Solve One Of Science’s Greatest Mysteries Gives A Dazzlingly Clear Picture Of A World Of Brilliant Scientists With Great Gifts, Very Human Ambitions, And Bitter Rivalries. With Humility Unspoiled By False Modesty, Watson Relates His And Crick’s Desperate Efforts To Beat Linus Pauling To The Holy Grail Of Life Sciences, The Identification Of The Basic Building Block Of Life. Never Has A Scientist Been So Truthful In Capturing In Words The Flavor Of His Work. By identifying the structure of DNA, the molecule of life, Francis Crick and James Watson revolutionized biochemistry and won themselves a Nobel Prize. At the time, Watson was only 24, a young scientist hungry to make his mark. His uncompromisingly honest account of the heady days of their thrilling sprint against other world-class researchers to solve one of science's greatest mysteries gives a dazzlingly clear picture of a world of brilliant scientists with great gifts, very human ambitions, and bitter rivalries. With humility unspoiled by false modesty, Watson relates his and Crick's desperate efforts to beat Linus Pauling to the Holy Grail of life sciences, the identification of the basic building block of life. Never has a scientist been so truthful in capturing in words the flavor of his work. - Back cover. From back cover of 1968 ed. "This is a book by a scientist about scientists - and the inside story of one of the key discoveries of the century, the structure of DNA, the heredity molecule. Even more fascinating, perhaps, it is the superbly human tale of how a very unusual 23-year-old American saw his chance for scientific immortality and promptly set out to seize it" One of the two discoverers of DNA recalls the lively scientific quest that led to this breakthrough, from the long hours in the lab, to the after-hours socializing, to the financial struggles that almost sank their project. Reprint. 15,000 first printing. One of the two discoverers of DNA recalls the lively scientific quest that led to this breakthrough, from the long hours in the lab to the after-hours socializing and the financial struggles that almost sank their project Foreword / Sir Lawrence Bragg Preface Introduction / Sylvia Nasar The Double Helix