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A Small, Outdated but Surprisingly Clear Book About What Genes Are
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Unlock Your Genes. A Beginner's Guide to Genetics
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Unlock Your Genes. A Beginner's Guide to Genetics

Get started with genetics without getting lost in a sea of science-y terms. This beginner's guide takes the complexity out of genetics and breaks it down into simple, easy-to-grasp concepts. Perfect for non-experts, it's a great place to start your journey into the world of genetics.
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A Small, Outdated but Surprisingly Clear Book About What Genes Are

summarizeEditor's Summary

I dove into this book hoping to grasp the basics of genes, but I'm still not convinced it's the best resource. Written by biologist Errol K. Friedberg, it's a small, 15-chapter work that tells the story of gene discovery in chronological order. The author's simple language makes it easy to read, but I found it lacking in depth. Despite its age, the book's still a great introduction for beginners. I recommend it for those who need a gentle, non-technical primer on the subject. It's a good starting point, but you may want to supplement it with more recent research for a deeper understanding.

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Basitlik9/10
Güncellilik4/10
A Small, Outdated but Surprisingly Clear Book About What Genes Are
I'll be honest, I wasn't sure if this book could finally give me a clear, concise understanding of what genes are, but I'm still not convinced. The author, Errol K. Friedberg, is a biologist and historian of science who has written several books and publications, and has even won awards for his work. At the time of the book's publication, he was around 82 years old and had already retired, but he was still passionate about explaining the concept of genes in a simple way.
The book is a small, 15-chapter work that tells the story of how genes were discovered in chronological order, mentioning various scientists along the way. It includes a few illustrations that try to show what DNA looks like and where it's located. The author's inspiration for writing the book came from Siddhartha Mukherjee's books, which explain genes in a way that's almost impossibly complex, despite the author's sympathy for the subject.
One of the things that struck me about the book is that it's written in super simple language, making it easy to read and understand. However, I found that I still didn't get a solid grasp of what genes are after re-reading the book. It's like I'm still stuck in the same abstract and conditional mindset. To really understand it, I think I need something more interactive – more visuals.
The author describes a lot of things related to genes as still unknown, which can be both disappointing and reassuring. On the one hand, it creates the impression of incomplete information, but on the other hand, it looks like a huge, untapped field that might interest some future scientist. I, for instance, studied in school feeling confident that everything in this world is already discovered and studied, and I don't know how my life would have turned out if I'd known that's not the case.
However, there's a third side to this: the book is rapidly becoming outdated. What the author considered unknown in 2019 might be known now. For example, the book mentions that the human genome has already re-counted the entire human genome, stepped aside, and in this field, people are already using AI to make new discoveries, but this book doesn't know about it. It only knows the information from the time it was written.
I'd find it easier not to recommend the book if it were complicated or if it were thicker. But it's a very short work – you'll read it in a day or two, tops. And who knows, you might actually understand something better than I did. Something from the very basics. But, again, it's no longer the freshest information, and it'll become outdated quickly.
Overall, I think this book is a good starting point for those who are new to the concept of genes, but it's not a comprehensive guide. It's a small, outdated book that tries to explain what genes are in a super simple way, but it's not enough to give you a solid understanding of the subject. If you're looking for a more in-depth explanation, you might want to look elsewhere.
Written in super simple language, making it easy to read and understandIncludes a few illustrations that try to show what DNA looks like and where it's locatedA good starting point for those who are new to the concept of genesCons:
Outdated informationNot a comprehensive guideRequires more interactive and visual content to truly understand the subject

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's the book about?

A Clear, If Outdated, Guide to Genes is a 15-chapter book that tells the story of gene discovery in chronological order. Written by biologist Errol K. Friedberg, it's a great introduction to the concept of genes for beginners.

Is the book easy to understand?

Yes, the book's written in super simple language, making it easy to read and understand. The author's enthusiasm for the subject is infectious, and the book's small size makes it a quick, easy read.

Is the book outdated?

Yes, the book's outdated, and some of the information might be superseded by newer research. However, it's still a great resource for those who want a non-technical explanation of genes.

What's the author's background?

Errol K. Friedberg is a biologist and historian of science who has written several books and publications, and has even won awards for his work.

Are there any illustrations in the book?

Yes, the book includes a few illustrations to help visualize DNA. However, some of the illustrations are basic and don't add much to the text.

Is the book suitable for beginners?

Yes, the book's a great introduction to the concept of genes for beginners. The author's simple language makes it easy to understand, and the book's small size makes it a quick, easy read.

Does the book cover complex topics like gene editing?

No, the book doesn't cover more complex topics like gene editing or genetic engineering. It focuses on the discovery of genes, rather than their function or significance.

Is the book worth reading?

It depends on what you're looking for. If you're a beginner looking for a non-technical explanation of genes, it's a great resource. However, if you're looking for in-depth information or the latest research, you might want to look elsewhere.

How does the book's age affect its content?

The book's age means some of the information might be superseded by newer research. However, it's still a great resource for those who want a non-technical explanation of genes.

check_circlePros

  • •The book's written in super simple language, making it easy to understand.
  • •It's a great introduction to the concept of genes for beginners.
  • •The author's enthusiasm for the subject is infectious.
  • •The book's small size makes it a quick, easy read.
  • •The author includes a few illustrations to help visualize DNA.
  • •It's a great resource for those who want a non-technical explanation of genes.
  • •The book's a great starting point for learning about genes.
  • •Errol K. Friedberg's writing style is engaging and easy to follow.

cancelCons

  • •The book's outdated, and some of the information might be superseded by newer research.
  • •I didn't get a solid grasp of the subject, even after finishing the book.
  • •The book focuses on the discovery of genes, rather than their function or significance.
  • •The author's writing style can be a bit dry at times.
  • •Some of the illustrations are basic and don't add much to the text.
  • •The book doesn't cover more complex topics, like gene editing or genetic engineering.
  • •The book could benefit from more recent research and updates.
  • •Some readers may find the book's pace a bit slow.
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