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Unravelling the Double Helix: The Lost Heroes of DNA
An insightful history of the first hundred years of DNA, Unraveling The Double Helix tells the story one of the greatest triumphs of modern science.
Unraveling the Double Helix covers the most colorful period in the history of DNA, from the discovery of "nuclein" in the late 1860s to the publication of James Watson's The Double Helix in 1968. These hundred years included the establishment of the Nobel Prize, antibiotics, x-ray crystallography, the atom bomb and two devastating world wars—events which are strung along the thread of DNA like beads on a necklace. The story of DNA is a saga packed with awful mistakes as well as brilliant science, with a wonderful cast of heroes and villains. Surprisingly, much of it is unfamiliar. The elucidation of the double helix was one of the most brilliant gems of twentieth century science, but some of the scientists who paved the way have been airbrushed out of history. James Watson and Francis Crick solved a magnificent mystery, but Gareth Williams shows that their contribution was the last few pieces of a gigantic jigsaw puzzle assembled over several decades.
The book is comprehensive in scope, covering the first century of the history of DNA in its entirety, including the eight decades that have been neglected by other authors. It also explores the personalities of the main players, the impact of their entanglement with DNA, and what unique qualities make great scientists tick.
Unraveling the Double Helix covers the most colorful period in the history of DNA, from the discovery of "nuclein" in the late 1860s to the publication of James Watson's The Double Helix in 1968. These hundred years included the establishment of the Nobel Prize, antibiotics, x-ray crystallography, the atom bomb and two devastating world wars—events which are strung along the thread of DNA like beads on a necklace. The story of DNA is a saga packed with awful mistakes as well as brilliant science, with a wonderful cast of heroes and villains. Surprisingly, much of it is unfamiliar. The elucidation of the double helix was one of the most brilliant gems of twentieth century science, but some of the scientists who paved the way have been airbrushed out of history. James Watson and Francis Crick solved a magnificent mystery, but Gareth Williams shows that their contribution was the last few pieces of a gigantic jigsaw puzzle assembled over several decades.
The book is comprehensive in scope, covering the first century of the history of DNA in its entirety, including the eight decades that have been neglected by other authors. It also explores the personalities of the main players, the impact of their entanglement with DNA, and what unique qualities make great scientists tick.
504 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2019
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396 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 21, 2021
This book is a history of how the molecular structure and biological function of DNA were gradually determined over a period of about a century before the Watson-Crick double helix announcement in 1953. The structure and function of DNA are treated, but only in a peripheral way. The focus of the book is on the steps and the struggles in the investigation of DNA, the good and the bad theories, the important turning points, and the personal stories of the small army of scientists who were involved in one way or another. History of science, but with a lot of human interest.
The book is worth looking at just for its front matter, which includes a detailed timeline listing the dates of important points in the history, and a Who’s Who which lists 29 of the main scientists, along with birth and death dates and thumbnail biographical sketches. There are also many good photos and illustrations, and a fine glossary of the technical terms.
The range of subjects investigated as part of the DNA story is amazing: orchids, pus cells, garden peas, fruit flies, X-ray diffraction, Bessel functions, hydrogen bonding, a lot of difficult chemistry…And the range of personalities and life experiences of the scientists is also fascinating.
The book reads almost like a detective story. For example, it was found that dead bacteria could transform the genetic characteristics of live bacteria – how did that happen? Another example: chemical analysis of DNA showed that the amounts of adenine and thymine were always equal, as well as cytosine and guanine. Now, any biology textbook today will tell you that the DNA base “A” always goes with “T” and “C” goes with “G”, but that used to be a mystery. It was obvious that having equal amounts of A and T and C and G just HAD to be important, but why in heaven’s name?
Along with all the successes in the scientific work, the book also tells about mistakes and bad guesses along the way. The following are some of the dead ends: the belief that DNA had no part in genetics – proteins did everything; the bitter fight against Mendelian genetics; and the belief that DNA consisted of just four nucleotide subunits instead of millions. Probably the strangest error was Linus Pauling’s proposed DNA structure. He was one of the world’s best chemists, but he came up with a structure that was judged absurd. “Not even wrong.”
So if you are interested in the history of science, this is a great book.
The book is worth looking at just for its front matter, which includes a detailed timeline listing the dates of important points in the history, and a Who’s Who which lists 29 of the main scientists, along with birth and death dates and thumbnail biographical sketches. There are also many good photos and illustrations, and a fine glossary of the technical terms.
The range of subjects investigated as part of the DNA story is amazing: orchids, pus cells, garden peas, fruit flies, X-ray diffraction, Bessel functions, hydrogen bonding, a lot of difficult chemistry…And the range of personalities and life experiences of the scientists is also fascinating.
The book reads almost like a detective story. For example, it was found that dead bacteria could transform the genetic characteristics of live bacteria – how did that happen? Another example: chemical analysis of DNA showed that the amounts of adenine and thymine were always equal, as well as cytosine and guanine. Now, any biology textbook today will tell you that the DNA base “A” always goes with “T” and “C” goes with “G”, but that used to be a mystery. It was obvious that having equal amounts of A and T and C and G just HAD to be important, but why in heaven’s name?
Along with all the successes in the scientific work, the book also tells about mistakes and bad guesses along the way. The following are some of the dead ends: the belief that DNA had no part in genetics – proteins did everything; the bitter fight against Mendelian genetics; and the belief that DNA consisted of just four nucleotide subunits instead of millions. Probably the strangest error was Linus Pauling’s proposed DNA structure. He was one of the world’s best chemists, but he came up with a structure that was judged absurd. “Not even wrong.”
So if you are interested in the history of science, this is a great book.
January 15, 2020
I found this to be a book taken in small bites rather than as a binge, but it was enjoyable. It’s a thoroughly researched and well told story of how scientific knowledge advanced from the first identification of a new nuclear substance in 1869 to Watson and Crick’s sleight of hand in 1953 to win the Nobel for the “discovery” of DNA structure. Aside from Mendel, there aren’t many saints in this bunch!
December 28, 2019
“We all stand on each other’s shoulders”
- Rosalind Franklin
This book is an incredibly thorough journey through scientific history, and an excellent reminder that no scientist works alone or without some foundation in what has come before. This sort of book should be required reading for students of science - a reminder that even the gods of science are usually just the lucky ones among the multitudes who work tirelessly for the advancement of knowledge.
- Rosalind Franklin
This book is an incredibly thorough journey through scientific history, and an excellent reminder that no scientist works alone or without some foundation in what has come before. This sort of book should be required reading for students of science - a reminder that even the gods of science are usually just the lucky ones among the multitudes who work tirelessly for the advancement of knowledge.
July 12, 2020
Ce livre permet de percer le voile de la découverte de l'ADN en présentant les nombreux évènements et acteurs qui y ont participé. Le livre a les défauts de ses qualités, car on se retrouve rapidement innondé de personnages et une deuxième lecture serait à mon sens bénéfique. On y découvre la passion des chercheurs, leurs différents caractères et leurs intrications personnelles et professionnelles. De plus, j'en ressort avec une meilleure compréhension (quand même très limitée), de cette structure qui est à la base de la vie. Je recommande!
August 25, 2025
It's rare to see such a well researched and yet entertainingly written book on the market; I think that one of the unique points about the author's tonality is that they understand how to play juxtaposition and irony very well to counterpoint the narrative. I think that it takes a particularly creative mind to see and join the dots of the facts of history, and inject a little insight or quip about how silly something is - or how ironic - juxtaposed against the greater backdrop of things. It's Williams's commentary that's often dry, bleak, or ironic that is very fascinating to read.
June 28, 2019
The most sciencey book I've ever read... and I coped. Couldn't always understand the science and I didn't totally like the style, but the personalities gripped me and that's a testimony to the author. Next I want to read The Search by C P Snow which apparently is based on JD Bernal, who's a central real life character in this book. If a book makes you want to go and read more on related topics, then it's a 4
January 28, 2020
What an interesting read. I enjoyed the history behind the discovery of the structure of DNA. The writing was very good. The subject matter was at times difficult but, in my experience, a good, somewhat difficult, book engages my curiosity and motivates me to learn more about this topic and related subject matter. Mr. Williams definitely peaked my interest to learn more about DNA.
June 25, 2020
Deeply researched and wonderfully written, Unravelling the Double Helix celebrates the many forgotten scientists who contributed to the discovery of DNA and restores them to their rightful place in history. See my full review at https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2019...
December 22, 2025
Williams really tries to tell the complete journey of the discovery of DNA. So, not only the Watson-Crick period but all the many (not so famous) people that came before or worked with them get the notice that they deserved. Very complete and well written.
December 13, 2020
Great deeds. Small men. Flat writing.
June 11, 2021
A bit of a slog the first part of the book but well worth it as the last part is exciting!
June 29, 2021
June 2020: I'm writing very long review for this book--which I received a free copy of from the publishers for the the purposes of reviewing it--for a journal and when that's published will provide a link. Until then, I have take my hat off to a writer who has skillfully woven together many more strands than DNA has to provide a narrative that loses neither the plot nor the forest for the trees.
June 2021 (one year later): Many many months later, my official essay review of the book has been published. Here's the link for those who like reading this sort of thing: https://inference-review.com/article/...
June 2021 (one year later): Many many months later, my official essay review of the book has been published. Here's the link for those who like reading this sort of thing: https://inference-review.com/article/...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews