Publisher's Summary
From Pulitzer Prize-winning author Siddhartha Mukherjee comes a masterful journey through the past, present, and future of genetic science. Spanning centuries and continents, The Gene traces the quest to understand the fundamental unit of heredity that makes us who we are.
Beginning in 1856 with a monk's groundbreaking discovery in Moravia and colliding with Darwin's theory of evolution, this epic story encompasses the horrors of Nazi eugenics, the race to decode DNA, and the revolutionary potential of modern genetic technologies. Mukherjee weaves together scientific history with intimate personal narrative, exploring his own family's history of mental illness to illuminate the profound ways genes shape our lives.
As we enter an era where we can read and write the human genome, The Gene provides both a definitive history and a vital perspective on the future of human identity and scientific innovation.
Featured Reviews
"Masterful Scientific Storytelling"
Mukherjee brilliantly combines scientific rigor with personal narrative, making complex genetic concepts accessible while never losing sight of their human implications.
"History Meets Science"
An extraordinary blend of historical research and contemporary genetics. The narration perfectly captures both the scientific precision and emotional depth of Mukherjee's writing.