Most Popular Books by James D. Watson

Fifty years ago, James D. Watson, then just twentyfour, helped launch the greatest ongoing scientific quest of our time. Now, with unique authority and sweeping vision, he gives us the first full account of the genetic revolution—from Mendel’s garden to the double helix to the sequencing of the human genome and beyond. Watson’s lively, panoramic narrative begins with the fanciful speculations of the ancients as to why “like begets like” before skipping ahead to 1866, when an Austrian monk named Gregor Mendel first deduced the basic laws of inheritance. But genetics as we recognize it today—with its capacity, both thrilling and sobering, to manipulate the very essence of living things—came into being only with the rise of molecular investigations culminating in the breakthrough discovery of the structure of DNA, for which Watson shared a Nobel prize in 1962. In the DNA molecule’s graceful curves was the key to a whole new science. Having shown that the secret of life is chemical, modern genetics has set mankind off on a journey unimaginable just a few decades ago. Watson provides the general reader with clear explanations of molecular processes and emerging technologies. He shows us how DNA continues to alter our understanding of human origins, and of our identities as groups and as individuals. And with the insight of one who has remained close to every advance in research since the double helix, he reveals how genetics has unleashed a wealth of possibilities to alter the human condition—from genetically modified foods to genetically modified babies—and transformed itself from a domain of pure research into one of big business as well. It is a sometimes topsy-turvy world full of great minds and great egos, driven by ambitions to improve the human condition as well as to improve investment portfolios, a world vividly captured in these pages. Facing a future of choices and social and ethical implications of which we dare not remain uninformed, we could have no better guide than James Watson, who leads us with the same bravura storytelling that made The Double Helix one of the most successful books on science ever published. Infused with a scientist’s awe at nature’s marvels and a humanist’s profound sympathies, DNA is destined to become the classic telling of the defining scientific saga of our age.

Portions of this book were first published in The Atlantic monthly.

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.

This sixth edition of James D. Watson's has been thoroughly revised and updated. Accessible to anyone interested in molecular biology and genetics, the book provides a historical basis for the field, concise descriptions of fundamental chemical concepts, a comprehensive survey of genome maintenance and expression, and a discussion of standard techniques and model organisms commonly used in molecular biology studies. It includes all new chapters on the regulatory RNAs and genomics and systems biology.

In 1953, two young and unknown scientists, James Watson and Francis Crick, sparked a worldwide revolution with their discovery of the molecular composition of DNA. In this collection of outspoken and topical essays, speeches and reports, Watson offers his unique insight into the advance of molecular genetics, the prospect of curing cancer over the next decade, how human genetic knowledge is likely to be used, particularly in relation to cloning and genetically modified food, as well as shedding light on his early life and career.

On the fiftieth anniversary of Watson and Crick receiving the Nobel Prize, a freshly annotated and illustrated edition of The Double Helix provides new insights into a scientific revolution. Published to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Nobel Prize for Watson and Crick’s discovery of the structure of DNA, an annotated and illustrated edition of this classic book gives new insights into the personal relationships between James Watson, Frances Crick, Maurice Wilkins, and Rosalind Franklin, and the making of a scientific revolution.

From Nobel Prize-winning scientist James D. Watson, a living legend for his work unlocking the structure of DNA, comes this candid and entertaining memoir, filled with practical advice for those starting out their academic careers. In Avoid Boring People, Watson lays down a life’s wisdom for getting ahead in a competitive world. Witty and uncompromisingly honest, he shares his thoughts on how young scientists should choose the projects that will shape their careers, the supreme importance of collegiality, and dealing with competitors within the same institution. It’s an irreverent romp through Watson’s colorful career and an indispensable guide to anyone interested in nurturing the life of the mind.

In 1953 Watson and Crick discovered the double helical structure of DNA and Watson's personal account of the discovery, The Double Helix, was published in 1968. Genes, Girls and Gamow is also autobiographical, covering the period from when The Double Helix ends, in 1953, to a few years later, and ending with a Postscript bringing the story up to date. Here is Watson adjusting to new-found fame, carrying out tantalizing experiments on the role of RNA in biology, and falling in love. The book is enlivened with copies of handwritten letters from the larger than life character George Gamow, who had made significant contributions to physics but became intrigued by genes, RNA and the elusive genetic code. This is a tale of heartbreak, scientific excitement and ambition, laced with travelogue and '50s atmosphere.

An overview of recombitant DNA techniques and surveys advances in recombinant molecular genetics, experimental methods and their results.

Recombinant DNA, Third Edition, is an essential text for undergraduate, graduate, and professional courses in Genomics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Recombinant DNA, Genetic Engineering, Human Genetics, Biotechnology, and Bioinformatics. The Third Edition of this landmark text offers an authoritative, accessible, and engaging introduction to modern, genome-centered biology from its foremost practitioners. The new edition explores core concepts in molecular biology in a contemporary inquiry-based context, building its coverage around the most relevant and exciting examples of current research and landmark experiments that redefined our understanding of DNA. As a result, students learn how working scientists make real high-impact discoveries. The first chapters provide an introduction to the fundamental concepts of genetics and genomics, an inside look at the Human Genome Project, bioinformatic and experimental techniques for large-scale genomic studies, and a survey of epigenetics and RNA interference. The final chapters cover the quest to identify disease-causing genes, the genetic basis of cancer, and DNA fingerprinting and forensics. In these chapters the authors provide examples of practical applications in human medicine, and discuss the future of human genetics and genomics projects.

In the years following his and Francis Crick’s towering discovery of DNA, James Watson was obsessed with finding two things: RNA and a wife. Genes, Girls, and Gamow is the marvelous chronicle of those pursuits. Watson effortlessly glides between his heartbreaking and sometimes hilarious debacles in the field of love and his heady inquiries in the field of science. He also reflects with touching candor on some of science’s other titans, from fellow Nobelists Linus Pauling and the incorrigible Richard Feynman to Russian physicist George Gamow, who loved whiskey, limericks, and card tricks as much as he did molecules and genes. What emerges is a refreshingly human portrait of a group of geniuses and a candid, often surprising account of how science is done.

El cambio del siglo XX al XXI se hallará ya para siempre vinculado al desciframiento definitivo del mapa genético humano, hecho que abre un nuevo mundo en el campo de la ciencia y, muy especialmente, en el de la medicina. ¿Cómo se produjo, sin embargo, el descubrimiento básico -el de la estructura del ácido desoxirribonucleico (ADN), componente esencial del material genético- que ha hecho posible llegar hasta este punto? La doble hélice es el relato del proceso que llevó a este instante crucial, hecho de primera mano por James D. Watson, protagonista del mismo en 1953 junto con el británico Francis Crick. Como apunta Steve Jones en el prefacio que abre el volumen, «leer este libro es entender cómo debió de ser participar en lo que Watson, con aplastante sinceridad, denomina el acontecimiento más famoso en la biología desde el libro de Darwin».

A descoberta da estrutura do DNA em 1953 representa um dos maiores avanços científicos da biologia. James D. Watson, um dos cientistas responsáveis pela descoberta, foi posteriormente reconhecido com o Prêmio Nobel por esta notável contribuição à ciência. Outra importante contribuição de Watson foi este livro, Biologia molecular do gene, que apresenta não apenas as bases intelectuais que ajudaram a moldar a biologia molecular no século passado, mas também toda a evolução do conhecimento alcançada desde então.

世紀之書《雙螺旋》圖文註釋版 自達爾文《物種起源》以來， 最重大的生物學事件 半世紀不衰的超級科學經典 ． 1968年出版後，盤據《紐約時報》暢銷榜十六週，翻譯成二十多種語言賣出一百多萬冊 ． 美國國會圖書館選為「塑造美國之書籍」( Books That Shaped America ) ． 紐約公共圖書館選為「世紀之書」( Books of the Century ) ． 科學史的現場重建；科學界遠比你想的更「叢林」 ． 加入圖片、注釋，讓讀者彷彿親臨科學界的頂尖對決 ． 連作者都不知道的史料，統統在這本《解密雙螺旋》 ◎ 周成功教授審訂 1950年代，英、美三組科學家競逐解開DNA的謎題。當時初出茅廬的華生與克里克，率先提出DNA的雙螺旋結構，並因此獲得諾貝爾生理學或醫學獎。 1968年，華生所著的超級經典——《雙螺旋》出版。他以犀利、率直的口吻，記錄這科學史上的重要一役，更鮮活呈現科學家在工作與生活的各種樣貌。 本書是《雙螺旋》的圖文註釋版，除了完整保留經典故事，兩位編輯甘恩、維特考斯基，更發揮偵探般實力，把故事中提及的細節、人物資料統統挖掘出來。 像是華生被指導老師痛罵「你這該死的混蛋」；與克里克因為《雙螺旋》的出版差點鬧翻，這些珍貴信件都可在這本《解密雙螺旋》看到。 還有，如果你好奇故事中提及的「劍橋第一美男子」是誰？華生看胃病的醫師竟然得過奧運金牌！這些原版並未細說的小故事，在本書都有進一步追溯。 感謝勞苦功高的編輯團隊，重現這段科學史上的重要一步，讓後世讀者彷彿親臨英國劍橋、與科學家並肩見證這段科學革命。

New edition of a text in which six researchers from leading institutions discuss what is known and what is yet to be understood in the field of cell biology. The material on molecular genetics has been revised and expanded so that it can be used as a stand-alone text. A new chapter covers pathogens, infection, and innate immunity. Topics include introduction to the cell, basic genetic mechanisms, methods, internal organization of the cell, and cells in their social context. The book contains color illustrations and charts; and the included CD-ROM contains dozens of video clips, animations, molecular structures, and high-resolution micrographs. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR.

Ao identificarem em 1953 a estrutura do DNA, a molécula da vida, Francis Crick e James D. Watson revolucionaram a bioquímica e mudaram para sempre os rumos da ciência. Considerada o avanço científico mais importante do século XX, ou 'o acontecimento mais célebre da biologia desde o livro de Darwin', a descoberta rendeu aos cientistas o Prêmio Nobel. Ao escrever sua versão dos acontecimentos mais de uma década depois, Watson fez questão de ser fiel ao modo como viveu as coisas na época. 'A dupla hélice' é a visão de um jovem cientista de apenas 24 anos, cheio de aspirações e vontade de deixar sua marca no mundo, e é isso o que faz do livro um relato absolutamente pessoal. Watson relembra a busca incrível pela identificação da estrutura básica que constrói a vida, numa corrida emocionante contra outros pesquisadores de renome mundial para solucionar um dos maiores mistérios da ciência. Um cientista nunca foi tão verdadeiro ao retratar a essência e o sabor do seu trabalho, oferecendo um quadro sem retoques de um mundo de cientistas brilhantes com grandes dons, ambições humanas e rivalidades ácidas.

En 1953, Crick, Watson et Wilkins découvraient la structure en " double hélice " de l'ADN, l'acide désoxyribonucléique, la substance qui contient tout le code de l'hérédité. Cette découverte, couronnée par le prix Nobel de médecine et de physiologie en 1962, déclencha le développement prodigieux de la biologie moléculaire. La Double Hélice est le récit étonnant de cette découverte. Pour la première fois, le processus de la création scientifique est raconté tel qu'il a été vécu par un chercheur. Augmenté de nombreux documents et présenté par le professeur Etienne Baulieu, voici un grand classique de la littérature scientifique.