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The secret of life : Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick, and the discovery of DNA's double helix / Howard Markel.

Markel, Howard, (author.).

Summary:
"A definitive history of the race to unravel DNA's structure, by one of our most prominent medical historians. Biologist James Watson and physicist Francis Crick's 1953 revelation about the double helix structure of DNA is the foundation of virtually every advance in our modern understanding of genetics and molecular biology. But how did Watson and Crick do it--and why were they the ones who succeeded? In truth, the discovery of DNA's structure is the story of a race among five scientists for advancement, fame, and immortality: Watson, Crick, Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins, and Linus Pauling. They were fascinating and brilliant, with strong personalities that often clashed. But it is Rosalind Franklin who becomes a focal point for Markel. The Secret of Life is a story of genius and perseverance, but also a saga of cronyism, misogyny, anti-Semitism, and misconduct. Markel recounts the intense intellectual journey, and the fraught personal relationships, that resulted in the discovery of DNA"-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9781324002239
  • ISBN: 1324002239
  • Physical Description: 564 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
  • Edition: First edition.
  • Publisher: New York, NY : W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., [2021]

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 433-535) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:
Opening credits -- The monk and the biochemist -- Before the double helix -- Take me to the Cavendish Laboratory -- The third man -- Like touching the fronds of a sea anemone -- There was no one like Linus in all the world -- The quiz kid -- Vide Napule e po' muore -- From Ann Arbor to Cambridge -- An American in Cambridge -- The king's war -- The lecture -- The dreaming spires of Oxford -- Mr. Crick and Dr. Watson build their dream model -- Dr. Pauling's predicament -- Chargaff's rules -- Paris and Royaumont -- A haphazard summer -- Linus sings -- A stomach ache in Clare College -- Peter and the wolf -- Photograph no. 51 -- The mornings after -- The MRC report -- Base pairs -- It's so beautiful -- Defeat -- It has not escaped our notice -- Stockholm -- Closing credits.
Subject: Franklin, Rosalind, 1920-1958.
Watson, James D., 1928-
Crick, Francis, 1916-2004.
Wilkins, Maurice, 1916-2004.
Pauling, Linus, 1901-1994.
DNA > Structure > Research > History > 20th century.
Genetic code > Research > History > 20th century.
Scientists > Biography.

Available copies

  • 13 of 14 copies available at SPARK Libraries.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 14 total copies.
Show All Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Albright Memorial Library 572.8 MARKEL (Text) 50686016091907 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Cambria County Library 572.86 M345s (Text) 85131001795096 CACM Non-Fiction Available -
Exeter Community Library 572.86 MAR (Text) 33249024787487 Non-fiction Available -
Guthrie Memorial Library: Hanover's Public Library Adults 572.8 MAR Nonfiction (Text) 34007002521818 Adult Area Available -
Huntingdon County Library NF 572.86 MAR (Text)
Memorial: In Memory of Charles R. White, given by June P. Reese
30298100563422 Nonfiction Available -
Littlestown Library 572.86 MARKEL (Text)
Endowment: Luene R. Rice Named Endowment, 2021
35740635774805 Nonfiction Available -
Parkland Community Library 572.8609 MAR (Text) 34422007229087 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Pottsville Free Public Library 572.86 M34 (Text)
Memorial: Presented by Rita J. Yarnell in memory of C. Robert Yarnell
30003009068014 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Reading Public Library RPL - Main 572.86 Mar (Text) 33223008733379 Non-fiction Available -
Allentown Public Library 572.86 MARK (Text) 34455007017425 Adult Nonfiction 1st FL Available -


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