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The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson
book_concierge's review
5.0
Book on CD read by Kathe Mazur and Walter Isaacson
5*****
Subtitle: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race
This is an engaging, interesting, informative, and thought-provoking biography cum history. While the focus is on Jennifer Doudna, Isaacson gives almost equal time to the many other researchers who contributed to the scientific discoveries and applications.
The book starts out with basic biographical background, moves into the excitement of discovery and the international race to obtain patents, and to publish first, then on to ethical questions surrounding the application of new technologies, and finally focuses on the ways that these teams of scientists worked to address COVID19.
Isaacson frequently puts himself into the narrative, writing in first person about his encounters and reactions.
The audiobook is narrated by Kathe Mazur, with an introduction and epilogue narrated by Isaacson. I was happy that I had the text handy because there are times when reading a passage helped me understand the science better than listening to it. But Mazur is a very talented voice artist, and she really did a magnificent job.
5*****
Subtitle: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race
This is an engaging, interesting, informative, and thought-provoking biography cum history. While the focus is on Jennifer Doudna, Isaacson gives almost equal time to the many other researchers who contributed to the scientific discoveries and applications.
The book starts out with basic biographical background, moves into the excitement of discovery and the international race to obtain patents, and to publish first, then on to ethical questions surrounding the application of new technologies, and finally focuses on the ways that these teams of scientists worked to address COVID19.
Isaacson frequently puts himself into the narrative, writing in first person about his encounters and reactions.
The audiobook is narrated by Kathe Mazur, with an introduction and epilogue narrated by Isaacson. I was happy that I had the text handy because there are times when reading a passage helped me understand the science better than listening to it. But Mazur is a very talented voice artist, and she really did a magnificent job.
mmamckinney's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
marieintheraw's review
4.0
I am a little surprised at how fast Walter Isaacson made the story of Jennifer's life seem to fly by while explaining it. I really enjoyed his biography style.
knittingdoc's review against another edition
5.0
Very interesting topic
I enjoyed the audio book as well as referring back to the text. The were some areas of disjoint but overall a very satisfactory book about an exciting topic. I would love to learn more about gene editing.
I enjoyed the audio book as well as referring back to the text. The were some areas of disjoint but overall a very satisfactory book about an exciting topic. I would love to learn more about gene editing.
waynediane's review against another edition
5.0
Most excellent book current history of mRNA patenting, and a very competitive look at CRISPR gene editing. Almost a biography of Jennifer Doudna and competition between Berkeley and MIT.
zainab's review
5.0
I think this book provided a great overview of the history and development of crispr technology. The language was simple and concise and only delved into the complicated when explaining the science behind the technology but even that had enough explanatory statements to make it simple.
It also provided great insight into the world of academia. I’d recommend new or prospective students interested in biology to pick up this book.
It also provided great insight into the world of academia. I’d recommend new or prospective students interested in biology to pick up this book.
vendea's review
3.0
It was fine, I guess. As far as covering the subject matter in an understandable way, it certainly did that. It tended to belabor most of the points it was trying to make, so the middle of the book dragged something terrible. I think the funniest part was perhaps just how catty everyone was all the time - and then there's this attempt to portray scientists/academic researchers as somehow above it all...sure. I wouldn't read it again. I'm not sure I'd even recommend it to someone seeking to learn more about CRISPR - there's gotta be Wikipedia articles that are more to the point.