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Cambridge University Science Magazine
Sam Kean matches his bestselling predecessor - “The Disappearing Spoon” in the vibrancy of storytelling and may even supersede it. The book proves once again that Sam Kean can explain difficult concepts in a simple but not simplistic way, and to make science entertaining for any audience. Exploring the wonders of DNA, this book answers perplexing questions on heredity and tells how DNA shaped the past, is shaping the present and will shape the future. The book starts by examining the battle of ideas marking the early days of genetics, and ends with a discussion of modern attempts to harness the power of genes with cloning and gene editing. Every word and sentence contribute to the engaging narrative - the book is just impossible to put down!

The Violinist’s Thumb by Sam Kean was published by Black Swan in 2013. Reviewed by Nelli Morgulchik