I am in the process of reading this and it is an excellent book. Dr.
Mukherjee is a wonderful writer. He is able to explain things to the
general reader in an understandable way.This is a review from Pretty-Hot.com (Yeah I know, sound funky)
"In this book summary of The Gene, An Intimate History, Siddhartha Mukherjee begins with a detailed history of the gene and finishes with a topical survey of the gene in the latter half of the 20th century. Part One, “The “Missing Science of Heredity,” begins with the discovery of the “gene” in 1864. It continues with Charles Darwin and the many 19th century scientists who raised controversial questions about the origins of life and the journey of mankind. In the 20th century, American and British scientists inverted theories of genetics to promote eugenics, the science of using genetics and hereditary to “improve” a population.
The British devised theories in response to the rise of the middle class, while the Americans initiated sterilization programs to combat the influx of immigrants threatening the gene pool. Propaganda about the role of genes and hereditary captured the American imagination. By the 1920s, children were examined like animals at agricultural fairs—the most perfect paraded around as ideal specimens—and laws had been passed to prevent the birth of “imbeciles” and to ghettoize “the feebleminded.”
The Gene: An Intimate History weaves together scientific studies, gripping narratives, personal prose, and demanding questions to tell one of human history’s most important stories, one with the greatest consequences to our past, present, and future."
Short Interview with Dr. Mukherjee.
