The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA

This is Watson's personal remembrance's of the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. It also covers the race Watson and Click felt they were under to beat Linus Pauling to the discovery. After reading this story it would give one even more insight if you also read the biography of Rosalind Franklin. This is a nice short story that gives some personalization to the discovery. Gardner and Clark did a good job with the narration.

Autobiographical account of how the structure of DNA was discovered in 1950's. Watson's frank and honest revelation coupled with effortless prose and plot gives us a rare glimpse into the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of academic basic science research.

I enjoyed this book and was able to follow along, but did get a little lost in some of the scientific terms.
I especially enjoyed Watson's epilogue about Rosie. That almost made me cry.
I would definitely recommend this book. I like to read some good non-fiction, especially after I've read/listened to a 'guilty-pleasure' book. Hope it keeps me in balance.
So glad this is available.

I have always been fascinated by the story of the discovery of DNA, but this book far exceeded my expectations. Although I am not a scienctist, this book presented the key scientific aspects of the research in a way that I easily understood them. More importantly, though, I enjoyed hearing about the various personalities that were involved in one way or another with the scientists. The narration was outstanding! It was a perfect match to the subject matter. I am so grateful that Watson wrote this book. It's a great contribution to science and the world.

good history; good science; good human elements

This is a worthwhile piece of history, written without having to infer what the historical figure was thinking, since he tells it. Biases are acknowledged, as befits something that purports to deal with facts but must confront human sentiments. The description of the technical details is remarkably effective, even for an audible delivery.

What is the color of the wool that Watson is trying to pull over here? It is not of a sort that I have encountered before in autobiographical science writing. If this book is self-aggrandizing--which I am not entirely sure it is not--then the mythologizing that is occurring is that of a peculiar sort. Watson show's, by fits and start, how he and Crick stumbled unto the structure of the DNA while utilizing others work and doing little bench work of their own. He is (mostly) unapologetic. Candid. Funny. A little bit Ruthless. The candor is welcome. Science is more often composed of the likes of J. Craig Ventner than Francis Collins. It is nice to read a history of science that is light on over-emphasizing altruism and selflessness. They are young men trying to establish themselves. Having fun. Chasing Girls. It is reassuring how many times Watson admits to have little understanding about various aspects of his field.

Nature, on the 50th anniversary of the paper re-issued it. It is stunningly readable, coherent, and insightful. At the moment of discovery all of the implications of the structure are correctly interpreted and relayed. Nothing is missed in the article and little has been corrected in the subsequent 60 years. This book is great in that you get all that happens in Watson's, and to a lesser degree Crick's, life that was not on the pages of that nature article.

This title gives us as much of an insight into how scientific discoveries are made and how the scientific community works as it does on the finding of the double helix. The science described in the book is quite technical at times, but I don't think an expert knowledge of biology or chemistry is necessary for a reader to appreciate and enjoy the text. A must read for those interested in eye witness accounts of history being made.

This is a pretty good listen. It helps if you know what they are talking about in order to visualize the scenes, an X-ray crystallography for example. I have had a good look at all the research spoken of hear and seen "The Race for the Double Helix" so I could imagine the interiors very well.

The story reads like a good mystery and it is suspenseful.

It is very interesting about the abrupt end to James Watson's career and very intigueing how a possible (note possible) racist would be involved in DNA research.

I was a biochem major in college and loved genetics so I thought this would be a nice history lesson, which it was. It was also a very good story, with very funny stories and comments by the younger member of the team to discover the double helix structure of DNA. It details the rivalries, trials and frustrations over a 2 year period and is well worth the 4 hour listen. Enjoy!!!

I was always not sure about how the human structure is made but this books takes you in deep into the matter