The Epigenetics Revolution

How Modern Biology Is Rewriting Our Understanding of Genetics, Disease, and Inheritance

By: Nessa Carey

Narrated by: Donna Postel

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Epigenetics can potentially revolutionize our understanding of the structure and behavior of biological life on Earth. It explains why mapping an organism's genetic code is not enough to determine how it develops or acts and shows how nurture combines with nature to engineer biological diversity. Surveying the 20-year history of the field while also highlighting its latest findings and innovations, this volume provides a readily understandable introduction to the foundations of epigenetics. Nessa Carey, a leading epigenetics researcher, connects the field's arguments to such diverse phenomena as how ants and queen bees control their colonies, why tortoiseshell cats are always female, why some plants need cold weather before they can flower, and how our bodies age and develop disease. Reaching beyond biology, epigenetics now informs work on drug addiction, the long-term effects of famine, and the physical and psychological consequences of childhood trauma. Carey concludes with a discussion of the future directions for this research and its ability to improve human health and well-being.

©2012 Nessa Carey (P)2017 Tantor

Technical, but you don't need a bio degree

I was always fascinated by epi genetics. Picked up Coursera courses and watched YouTube video. but they were either too hand wavy or you needed a background in biology. This book was the best material I have seen about epi genetics. It lacks the coherence of a survey in a mature field but it is not the writers fault; the since is at it's day one.

A Clear & Detailed Explanation Of Epigenetics

Would you listen to The Epigenetics Revolution again? Why?

Yes-
Have already listened to some chapters 3x

What did you like best about this story?

The clear explanations and analogies of complex issues -

What does Donna Postel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Clear voice and doesn't accentuate the S's

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Any additional comments?

As an avid science reader this book is a good one- Am ordering the print version tonight

Great for beginner to intermediate epigeneticists

Historical perspectives on the beginning of epigenetics covers much of the basics that would be covered in an undergraduate course. The focus is basic with a good narrative. Not recommended for those looking for in depth snapshot into current views of epigenetics.

Great intro to epigenetics, a bit cloying at times

The book gets more specific and technical as it goes on, so you may want to skip early chapters if you already know such 101 material as how a zygote becomes an embryo.

I found most of the subject matter in the second half of the book pretty interesting, if fairly shallow on a technical level. It's an easy read that whetted my interest in epigenetics, and will probably lead to me reading more books on the topic.

There were a number of things I didn't care for, which caused me to drop my overall score.

I tired *very* quickly of Carey's feeble, tedious attempts to conjure drama out of anecdotes about the scientists. Here's one example:

"This was a risk for an established scientist like Yamanaka, but it was an even bigger gamble for a relatively junior associate like Takahashi, because of the way that the scientific career ladder works...."

Skip it. Yamanaka and Takahashi can put it in their memoirs. I won't buy them, Carey will, and we'll all have what we want.

I also wearied of Carey's constant flattery of the scientists she discussed. I don't know if they're personal friends, but every one of them is described charming, brilliant, attractive, and humble. Even if I cared about these people (I don't, I want to learn about epigenetics) the paeans are hardly useful in learning about them.

The book would have been considerably denser on useful information with these things subtracted.

Maybe A Bit Over My Head But Great Performance

Where does The Epigenetics Revolution rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an admission I probably shouldn't make. If I don't feel like giving a book a 4 or 5 star I refrain from ranking it thinking I just didn't get it. If I feel like I wasted my money I do rank 1 star. If it weren't for the enthusiastic reading I would have not rated this book.

Any additional comments?

This is an amazing topic with so much happening that even though I only got 10% of the facts, I am now a 100% believer that this is important work.

Thank you Nesa Carey for even trying to explain it to me and thank you Donna Postel for keeping me listening.

It stays interesting

So many books written for the layperson about complex topics seem to blow through the relevant, interesting content in the first third, and spend the latter two thirds re-iterating it. This book lays groundwork, then takes the reader through manifold different arenas that the subject touches. Loved it.

A little over my head

Even as a medical professional, i was lost at times. I did like her metaphors.

Excellent

Very informative and educating, wonderfully written and performed. Easy to follow even for non scientists, yet contains many new precious gems for scientists too

The complicated world of epigenetics

Just when we thought that genetic information does not get affected by the environment as Darwin had solidified, we discover Lemarkien evolution at work.

What does this exactly mean. Well, the environment affects our genes which can and are handed down to our offsprings. Jean-Baptise Lamarck has been somewhat vindicated by discoveries that prove certain adaptations occurs during the lifetime of animals and plants which in some cases improves the fitness and survivability of the animal and more importantly those traits are handed down generations.

The subject is fascinating, but this book is far too complicated for anyone who has not studied the subject, and is well versed in the lingo.

Great, and informative book...

Epigenetics is a fascinating field. this book does a great job at explaining it. it still gets in the weeds, but it makes sense. loved the book.