John Quackenbush

A quick look at the past, present, and future of human genome research. This book is thorough but accessible. I only wish there had been citations in the endnotes, to give suggestions for further reading.

I really liked that the author is a scientist who actually worked on the Human Genome Project, and could give his personal experience with it. It is worth noting, however, that the book is about human genome research, particularly the Human Genome Project, and not about the human genome in general. I think it would have been more accurate to title the book "The Human Genome Project: The Book of Essential Knowledge".

I wasn't sure about the strange size and shape of the book at first. (It is shorter and wider than most books, like a miniature textbook) but in the end it was comfortable to read and that is all that matters.… (mehr)

A superior exploration of the human genome, genomics, genetics, and molecular biology. It is always difficult to take a complecated and variable topic (whether it is statistics, economics, or genomics) and explain it to the enthusiastic lay reader. Some books attempt to do this by dumbing down the topic. Quackenbush, however, takes a far superior approach adn works more like a fluent translator that organizes and present the different aspects of genomics to the interested layman. My favorite part was chapter 6 where he explores genomics and evolution. Each chapter could be a book unto iteself, but Quackenbush's tight, well paced book kept me wanting to untangle the mystery even more. Bravo.… (mehr)

This is my first read of a book from the "Curiosity Guide" series and I can say that I will be looking for others!

At first, I expected The Human Genome to be a very dry, technical book, but also thought that as part of a series, maybe it would be readable for a non-geneticist or molecular biologist. Once I received it, I was also hesitant to start reading. BUT - Once I started, it was such a quick, clear, concise and engaging read, I couldn't put it down. I actually finished it in 4 sessions.

As a renaissance man, I have many, many hobbies, including devouring scientific knowledge. However, if things get too technical (e.g. mathematical formulas in a quantum physics book), I quickly glaze over. In this book, Quackenbush does an excellent job of presenting enough technical details at a reasonable level of abstraction that it will appeal to a wide range of readers. It was about 1/2 between "blue eyed mom and brown eyed dad have a xx% chance of a brown eyed child" and "tendency of left-handed folding of proteins based on mRNA mutations" (i just made that up but it sounds like some of the stuff I've attempted to read). In other words, it is written at just the right level to engage the lay person, but provide believable scientific details for the more 'scientific' types.

Others have written very detailed reviews, referencing chapter-by-chapter details. If you want that level of review - read those! They are great.

I really enjoyed the book and find that my knowledge of genetic research and specific implications for future medicine has greatly increased.… (mehr)