Summer reading: The Gene

Book cover for The GeneThe Gene: an Intimate History
Siddhartha Mukherjee

There are no greater connectors between human beings, our families, our ancestors, and even our futures than genes. We all know the basic biological facts about DNA and evolution, but this book skillfully connects ancient assumptions about heritability with modern techniques of recombination to gently expand that common knowledge. Like all great works of popular science, Siddhartha Mukherjee makes you feel like you understand, in 592 pages, a subject so complex that its development has spanned (and is likely to continue to span) literally all of human history.

AMETHYST FRECH
Class of 2020
Legal Studies major

This book is part of theĀ 2020 Berkeley Summer Reading List. Stay tuned for more weekly posts!