The Double Helix by James D. Watson


The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA is an autobiographical account of the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA written by James D. Watson and published in 1968. It has earned both critical and public praise, along with continuing controversy about credit for the Nobel award and attitudes towards female scientists at the time of the discovery.


The publication of the double helix structure of DNA has been described as a turning point in science; understanding of life was fundamentally changed and the modern era of biology began. It is listed by the board of the Modern Library as number seven in their list of 100 Best Nonfiction books.


Condition: VG+/VG+


Published in 1968 by Atheneum Press in New York City. First edition, second printing as indicated on copyright page. Octavo. In original blue cloth covered boards with yellow top-stain and red endpapers. Illustrated throughout.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


James Dewey Watson (born April 6, 1928) is an American molecular biologist, geneticist, and zoologist. In 1953, he co-authored with Francis Crick the academic paper proposing the double helix structure of the DNA molecule. Watson, Crick and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material".


Watson earned degrees at the University of Chicago (BS, 1947) and Indiana University (PhD, 1950). Following a post-doctoral year at the University of Copenhagen with Herman Kalckar and Ole Maaløe, Watson worked at the University of Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory in England, where he first met his future collaborator Francis Crick. From 1956 to 1976, Watson was on the faculty of the Harvard University Biology Department, promoting research in molecular biology.


From 1968, Watson served as director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), greatly expanding its level of funding and research. At CSHL, he shifted his research emphasis to the study of cancer, along with making it a world-leading research center in molecular biology. In 1994, he started as president and served for 10 years.


Between 1988 and 1992, Watson was associated with the National Institutes of Health, helping to establish the Human Genome Project, which completed the task of mapping the human genome in 2003.


CONDITION: VG+/VG+


This book is in VERY GOOD+ condition - firm binding, rubbed spine tips and corners. Colorful, unfaded boards. One leaf with a bent corner. Interior is clean with bright white pages and m no writing, stickers or ex libris marks.


The dust jacket is VERY GOOD+ - unclipped with minimal rubbing and edge wear - crinkling, light creasing and light chipping/small tears. One chip reinforced with book tape from jacket blind side. White rear panel impressively clean.


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