Genome

The Autobiography of the Species in 23 Chapters

Matt Ridley

By picking one newly discovered gene from each of the 23 human chromosomes and telling its story, Matt Ridley traces the history of our species and its ancestors. This fascinating journey shows the influence of genes, from condemning us to diseases to influencing our intelligence and guiding the development of our bodies and brains. The author explores the applications of genetics, the search for understanding and therapy, the horrors of eugenics and the paradox of free will.

First published:: 1999
Published by:: 4th Estate
Length:: Hardcover 344 pages

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About the author

Matt Ridley is a British scientist, journalist and author. He has written several science books including the The Red Queen (1994), Genome (1999) and The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves (2010). His books have sold over 800,000 copies, been translated into twenty-seven languages, and have won several awards. Ridley gave the Angus Millar Lecture on "scientific heresy" at the RSA in 2011 and his TED.com talk on "when ideas have sex" has been viewed 1.4 million times. He was recently elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and won the Julian Simon award in March 2012.