The Complete Idiot's Guide to Decoding Your Genes

by Linda Tagliaferro

A beginner's guide to the fascinating world of genetics demonstrates how genes are responsible for a host of traits and behaviors, from addiction to mental illness to sexual orientation, and assists readers in decoding their own genetic make-up. Original.

400 pages, Paperback

First published August 13, 1999

Reviews

[Riq Hoelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess if you have a modicum of intelligence you shouldn't bother with such books. I've never looked at one before. I'm not an idiot, just didn't know a lot about genetics and wanted a basic guide. So, I reasoned, get this book and even your most simple questions will be answered! Not so. For example, there's a lot of talk about how cells need walls to keep everything from falling out. OK then, so my first question is, what about the tops and bottoms of the cells? In the picture there's no cell wall there and yet nothing falls out? Simple, basic question, but no answer in this book. Later it talks a lot about how mistakes in copying genes can cause birth defects. But what causes this mistakes in the first place? Isn't that a very basic thing to wonder? To find out I had to read another book, Teach Yourself Genetics, which despite being a much smaller book devotes a whole chapter to the sources of radiation in our environment. At times the Tagliaferro book even makes me wonder whether she understands the concepts. If you read her book, you'll even get the idea that messagenger RNA and transfer RNA are the same thing. But you will get all the science interrupted constantly by this history of genetics research stuff which only distracts and really belongs in a different book. My recommendation: avoid this and get Teach Yourself Genetics which has the added advantage of being much more compact as well.

[Davia Finch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dated, but otherwise an excellent primer to a complex subject. The authors cover a lot of ground but remain clear and accessible throughout. (Lots of bad puns, but that's to be expected in an Idiot's Guide.) A great resource for writers looking for a broad understanding of gene science and its implications for society.