Natural Obsessions: The Search for the Oncogene

by Natalie Angier, Lewis Thomas MD (Foreword)

Describes the search for the genes that control cancer, explains the difficulties of research in molecular biology, and assesses progress towards a more detailed understanding of cancer

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Medicine, History, Biology

394 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1988

About the author

Natalie Angier is a nonfiction writer and a science journalist for The New York Times.

Reviews

[Leslie (updates on SG) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I worked on my biology doctorate in the 90's across the street from Weinberg's lab, so could thoroughly identify with the trials and tribulations (if not the glories) described in the book. Although I was sometimes got annoyed by Angier's dramatizations (especially when describing the physical characteristics of the scientists), overall I thought she did an admirable job of humanizing this Boston institution.

[Diane Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the Washington Post described, this book "portrays the look and feel of science" in the competitive and stimulating years of the race to discover the cancer gene. Personally, it gave me a far better view of what was all quietly going on when I visited Boston in the late spring of 1982 and connected with a sib of a friend who was working in cancer research at MIT. I enjoy Natalie Angier's style and benefit from her persistence in putting out writing in science for interested laypeople.

[Rohi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes the flowery prose obfuscates the science that she's talking about. Maybe that's just me reading it from the perspective of a scientist. I'm not totally sure what the intended audience is but maybe this wouldn't be as frustrating for someone reading it from a non-science background.

[Zeke · Rating 3 out of 5]

In general a good book, but too wide a scope. The scientific discussion is pretty weak for the first half of the book, and the character portraits don’t always pay off - I didn’t have a good idea of the lab personalities until the very end of the book.

[Ravi Warrier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Natalie is a great story teller, but this book was 40-50% longer for my liking. Nevertheless, for someone who loves chronological narration of scientific discoveries or progress, you'll like this book.

[Alison Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a scientist, I thought this was a great book to share with non-scientist friends and family to give them a sense of the day-to-day of a lab.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the politics of science & how labs are run interesting

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to read, which includes many of the behind the scenes moments of doing science. I work in a laboratory myself and the ups and downs of the discovery journey are well described. The politics of science is all too real and something I naively not foresee as young researcher. A great book to read for college students who are considering research as a career or for any other person interesting in understanding the human side of science

[Stewart]

Angier spent a good part of the year in Robert Weinberg's molecular biology lab and put it to good use with this volume. It conveys the excitement and dedication of those working at the cutting edge of study of the human cell, how it works and how it goes wrong. A don't miss for those interested in science in action, biology, genomics, or medical history.

[珮晴 黃 · Rating 5 out of 5]

All kinds of thoughts from scientists had run through my mind at my college years... Now as a research assistant, my everyday life is vividly described by Natalie. And I really like the tone and the real lives of scientists she depicted in the pages; the failures and frustrations we dealt at lab. :)

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read book (non-technical) capturing the the passion and experiences that scientists go thru in trying to discover. The foreward by the always eloquant Lewis Thomas, MD, always makes me a little misty eyed.

[Jim Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book. Although I am a scientist, one need not be though to truly enjoy this book and the tremendous science involved. The author did a tremendous job of capturing the passion involved in this groundbreaking work.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A day in the lab of Weinburg and his cancer research crew. Interesting window into the working of cancer research.

[Paul Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An oldie, but a goodie.

[Santhosh Girirajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was interesting to read about how scientists and trainees worked on cutting-edge problems in the late 80s and early 90s. I enjoyed reading this book.

[April Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read a book before or since that so turned bench science into a thriller