The Violinist's Thumb - Sam Kean

The Violinist's Thumb

By Sam Kean

  • Release Date: 2012-07-17
  • Genre: Life Sciences
4 Score: 4 (From 100 Ratings)

Description

From New York Times bestselling author Sam Kean comes incredible stories of science, history, language, and music, as told by our own DNA.

In The Disappearing Spoon, bestselling author Sam Kean unlocked the mysteries of the periodic table. In The Violinist's Thumb, he explores the wonders of the magical building block of life: DNA.

There are genes to explain crazy cat ladies, why other people have no fingerprints, and why some people survive nuclear bombs. Genes illuminate everything from JFK's bronze skin (it wasn't a tan) to Einstein's genius. They prove that Neanderthals and humans bred thousands of years more recently than any of us would feel comfortable thinking. They can even allow some people, because of the exceptional flexibility of their thumbs and fingers, to become truly singular violinists.

Kean's vibrant storytelling once again makes science entertaining, explaining human history and whimsy while showing how DNA will influence our species' future.

Reviews

  • The violinist's thumb

    5
    By Hhisurg
    I loved this book. It was an easy read about a complex subject with some amazing facts.
  • The Violinist's Thumb

    5
    By Emmy747
    Such an excellent book. Well written, exciting, funny, tragic and surprising. Couldn't recommend it more!
  • Reviews

    5
    By Bear&J
    Interesting! My friend really likes this and the Disappearing Spoon!
  • Kean

    5
    By duffyjosh
    This review is to balance the previous review.

Comments