In this sweeping overview of how heredity has shaped human society, Carl Zimmer examines the birth of genetics as a science, tracing its progression over the centuries to present times. In doing so, he presents not only the scientific details our DNA, but also highlights the key figures involved in piecing together an understanding of how we inherit genes from our ancient ancestors, and how those genes are passed from parent to child.
The book reads like a first class mystery story as Zimmer follows the numerous missteps taken along the way, and how erroneous theories affected cultural beliefs and actions. He does not scrimp on aspects of the science involved, but provides it in a manner that is readily understood by the layperson (i.e., me). He is a gifted storyteller, and his lucid descriptions kept me engaged throughout.
Published in 2015, She Has Her Mother’s Laugh, describes in its final chapter the advent of genome editing through the use of CRISPR. It highlights the many ways this could shape our future as well as all the dangers that lurk in the shadows through using the new technologies now available to manipulate heredity. Despite the book’s daunting length, Zimmer has taken a complicated topic and turned it into a page turner that is difficult to put down.
From beginning to end, this is a fascinating tour de force on the subject. In an amalgamation that combines historical and scientific detail, Zimmer enriches his tale with fascinating character studies of the scientists who advanced our knowledge. In doing so, he has created a scientific tome that reads like a novel. It reveals not only how our genes have shaped the nature of who we are, but also the role environment plays in the process. She Has Her Mother’s Laugh is a work that should be read by anyone curious about the topic. One does not need a scientific background to fully appreciate Zimmer’s book.
Robert Up At Dawn 