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The Double Helix
- A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner, Roger Clark
- Length: 4 hrs and 8 mins
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The Double Helix
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Editor reviews
For most people, the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA is the kind of ninth grade science fact you forgot as soon as the final was over. But the real story behind the breakthrough is a lot more interesting than trying to remember which of the bases pair up – and in The Double Helix, DNA-discoverer James D. Watson shares his memories of the find that earned him and his research partner, Francis Crick, a Nobel Prize.
The book, narrated almost entirely by Grover Gardner, traces the team's work on DNA at the Cavendish Laboratory in England in 1953, when Watson was in his early 20s. He and Crick raced frantically against other researchers – most notably Linus Pauling – in an effort to illuminate the structure of DNA, and thereby shed light on the genetics of all life. Watson doesn't shy away from using scientific terms, but Gardner's straightforward reading makes even the most complicated experiments easy to follow. And while the book's original release inspired controversy from scientists who didn't agree with Watson's version of events, Gardner gives Watson's voice all the excitement, passion, and dedication you'd expect from a young scientist on the verge of one of the world's greatest discoveries.
Roger Clark lends his elegant tenor to the book's afterward, written by Sir Lawrence Bragg --the youngest Nobel winner in history - who offers a scientist's take on Watson's memories. Bragg points out that The Double Helix is a record of "impressions, not facts" but he gets to the heart of what makes this memoir so appealing when he reminds us that few scientific books are as fresh and direct as Watson's – which is something your ninth grade science teacher would no doubt agree with. —Blythe Copeland
Summary
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.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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What listeners say about The Double Helix
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- James Coffey
- 29-12-12
A Fascinating real life story, and well written
The real life story of the discovery of the structure of DNA. Much more entertainingly written than might be expected of your average scientist, showing the all too human side of scientists with their range of foibles and character clashes.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Peter
- 29-03-19
A great insight...
This is a must-listen to audio book for anyone interested in real science and how its done. The narrator is also excellent and gets things just right.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Emma
- 01-12-15
This is truly science :)
What made the experience of listening to The Double Helix the most enjoyable?
This is such a funny, honest (or too modest) recollection of how a major scientific achievement was conceived in the early 50s. It is a rare glimpse into the real world of scientific struggle. For once with the most happy ending :)
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes! And being quite a short book, I almost managed :) I normally listen during my commute (2 hrs per day), but didn't want to turn this off so kept making up tasks at work where I could listen and still work :)
Any additional comments?
Not sure how this would hold up for someone without a research background themselves. The facts are probably well enough explained to understand without a degree in chemistry/biology. But do have a listen and see if it enchants you anyway! If nothing else, you will have a quite good idea of what personalities exists in academic research (independent of research topic I would imagine) and how the everyday struggles of science and then the realisation you are onto something cool impact the researcher's life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shanthilal Fernando
- 17-08-21
Beautiful and Humorous!
The words for this book is short and sweet. Though it wasn't long, it cleverly and humorously captured the journey of Crick and Watson in finding the structure of the DNA molecule.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- K. Rumph
- 06-10-17
Brisk and interesting
Interesting as much for its depiction of the scientific life and culture of the times, as for the multi faceted nature of scientific discovery. You don’t really need to understand the science as long as the words molecule or helix aren’t baffling.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Seayeaitch
- 16-05-19
A great discovery, but is this an accurate account?
Without doubt this discovery is of tremendous importance, but many in the academic world suggest that it was not as straight forward as depicted in the story. This may of course be just jealousy’s amongst the academic elite, however it is still an interesting read/ listen of a bygone era , I would have preferred a n English, English narration unfortunately there are times in the narration that the narrator sounds like a “Snake Oil, salesman , this detracts from the importance of the subject.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amuzun
- 26-07-22
Great Book on the Discovery o DNA
A facinating snapshot of the discovery of DNA. I love their approach to research mixed up with university life. seems like they had a good work-life balance. It's probably not like that now.
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