Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters

Even though it's published in 1999 the book is still useful today. I was reluctant to get it because I though it might be dated. He really does explain the human genome better than anything I've read. The book was a necessary background to educate me about all of this talk I've been hearing about the human genome. Some of his assertions haven't held up since the publication of the book, but don't let that dissuade you from reading this highly informative book.

While it doesn't necessarily break new ground when it comes to recent discoveries about our genome, Ridley does a good job of exploring the implications of some of the most valued discoveries about our genome.

Written in 1999, this is a bit dated but it provides a great summary of the fundamentals of genetics. Clear writing and fascinating case studies elucidate the fundamentals of heredity, traits carried on X & Y chromosomes, Eugenics, nature vs. nurture, the future of genetically-based treatments, and so much more. Highly recommended.

Equal parts fascinating and informative, Ridley offers a tour of the human genome with each chapter focusing on a different gene(s) within one of 22 chromosome (the 23rd sex linked chromosomes are omitted). Thankfully, rather than an exhaustive A to Z treatment that would have been numbing, Ridley chose wisely to focus on a sample representative not only of the traits and qualities that define us as humans but also illustrate the vast promise and hidden shortfalls of genetics, heritability, disease and at the end, free will. I found this very intriguing and the arguments/science are well laid out. A few caveats though: this is a step above an introductory/layperson guide so at least a general familiarity with genetics will make this much more understandable (and enjoyable) listen; secondly, the author’s foray into behaviourism, Freudian psychology and some arguments about free will and determinism were a little shaky and perhaps out of place here; and finally, the book was written in 1999 which may as well have been a millennia ago given the pace of genetic research. Though I wouldn’t say this disqualifies the book, I was left yearning perhaps for a second edition that might be more current. Still, the themes of the book remain relevant and I found it a very worthwhile and enjoyable read.

I did not enjoy this book, BUT it doesn't mean you won't. Published in 1999, I personally do not feel that it holds up very well. The reason for this is, the author spends really a very small amount of time on the basic science, and quite a lot on social implications and ethics. If this had been a sort of "Traveler's Guide to the Genome", ...which is really what I was hoping for... then I don't think it would have aged much. But social issues, those change quite quickly, and the pop-culture audience is more informed on some things than they might have been in 1999.

However, this is just my opinion! The narrator is great. If you know absolutely nothing about genetics, as in, haven't turned on a tv or watched a movie in the past 10 years, then you might find this book really interesting!

The book itself is great and filled with very enlightening information. It is a shame that the person who is reading it sometimes seems like he is just reading to himself. Very often he will drop to a very quiet murmur and you will miss entire words and sometimes freezes and have to rewind and turn the volume up then back to normal. He pronounced words strangely and it took me a minute to understand what he was saying. His tone is very dry and emotionless.

In the 60% range. I'm glad I listened to it but it's definitely not among the top books I've ever listened to.

The concepts actually were pretty easy to follow. I appreciated it from that standpoint. It didn't get too scienc-y but some of the analogies I felt were actually more confusing than enlightening. Like, "DNA is digital." Well, it's not. Digital is 1s and 0s, DNA is chemical. Had he said "DNA is like digital information" it might have been different.

Other than a british accent, not much.

this would be a terrible title, but it's my synopsis: Choosing one gene or characteristic on each chromosome to tell something about that chromosome.

Dealing with a complex subject, filled with chemical structures & names, this book could have been mind-boggling. However the author and reader break down the subject-matter with clear references, humor & chatty dialogue . Walking through the chromosomes one-by-one with a reference to time, ethics, determinism, etc. makes listening to this book both enjoyable and understandable. Well done.

love the book. i learned how to describe the HUGO in English!!
recommend for biology lover

easy to understand, loved the narrater, and will be re-listening to it in the near future