There are many books already written about the discovery of the double helix, so readers definitely have a lot of choices here, and authors undoubtedly have a hard time standing out. Nevertheless, Williams has produced an engaging account that is cleverly different from anything else (readers can get the author’s rationale in the preface). His story begins in the early 19th century, with the discovery of a new and mysterious chemical substance, and ends in the mid 20th century with this chemical’s code being unraveled. In other words, this story doesn’t just focus on the “big four” (James Watson, Francis Crick, Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin), but on the scientific journey of DNA as a molecule. As such we get the personal stories of the many people involved in this chronicle, which in the end makes this a very human story. We become privy to the triumphs and foibles of the characters in play and are allowed to make our own judgments of their actions, as the author maintains an impartial narrative throughout. Given the significance of the DNA story, and the controversies that have embroiled the scientists involved, I would recommend this book even if the reader has read past accounts. Not only will they learn new facts, but they will acquire new perspectives that will help them generate a balanced view of the history, which is indeed complex.
Rafael Romero, PhD