Cover of The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code

The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code

by Sam Kean · 2012

+ Want to read

In The Disappearing Spoon, bestselling author Sam Kean unlocks the mysteries of the periodic table. In The Violinist's Thumb, he explores the wonders of the magical building block of life: DNA.

Read more

There are genes to explain crazy cat ladies, why other people have no fingerprints, and why some people survive nuclear bombs. Genes illuminate everything from JFK's bronze skin (it wasn't a tan) to Einstein's genius. They prove that Neanderthals and humans bred thousands of years more recently than any of us would feel comfortable thinking. They can even allow some people, because of the exceptional flexibility of their thumbs and fingers, to become truly singular violinists. Kean's vibrant storytelling makes science entertaining, explaining human history and whimsy while showing how DNA will influence our species' future.

Subject
sciencescienceMore like thisLess of thishistoryhistoryMore like thisLess of thishealthhealthMore like thisLess of thispsychologypsychologyMore like thisLess of thissociologysociologyMore like thisLess of this
Genre
historical fictionhistorical fictionMore like thisLess of this
Themes
medicalmedicalMore like thisLess of thisnaturenatureMore like thisLess of this
Setting
2010s2010sMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
long · 401 pages

Click a tag to see books like this one that share it. Point at it (on a phone, tap it) for less of it instead.

Read it? Sign in to help tag it.

BuyAmazonGoogle Books

BorrowOpen LibraryA library near you

MoreCompare pricesHardcover

Liked The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. Joined-Up Thinking Stevyn Colgan · 2008 Shares nonfiction, science, history
  2. The Art of Lying Down: A Guide to Horizontal Living Bernd Brunner · 2012 Shares nonfiction, science, history
  3. A Guinea Pig's History of Biology Jim Endersby · 2007 Shares nonfiction, science, biology
  4. Blood Feud: The Man Who Blew the Whistle on One of the Deadliest Prescription Drugs Ever Kathleen Sharp · 2011 Shares nonfiction, history, science
See more recommendations →

“People who read The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code tend to reach for these next.”

  1. Horseshoe Crabs and Velvet Worms: The Story of the Animals and Plants That Time Has Left Behind Richard Fortey · 2011
  2. Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History Penny Le Couteur, Jay Burreson · 1991
  3. Microcosm: E. coli and the New Science of Life Carl Zimmer · 2008
  4. My Beloved Brontosaurus: On the Road with Old Bones, New Science, and Our Favorite Dinosaurs Brian Switek · 2013

“If you want more of the same (science about medical), start with these.”

  1. The Book of Times: From Seconds to Centuries, a Compendium of Measures Lesley Alderman · 2012
  2. Dreamland: Adventures in the Strange Science of Sleep David K. Randall · 2012
  3. Tears of Mermaids: The Secret Story of Pearls Stephen G. Bloom · 2009
  4. The Deltoid Pumpkin Seed John McPhee · 1963

“If it was the history that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. On the Burning Edge: A Fateful Fire and the Men Who Fought It Kyle Dickman · 2015
  2. Poop Culture: How America Is Shaped by Its Grossest National Product Dave Praeger · 2007
  3. Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon: A Guide to the Best Time to Buy This, Do That and Go There Mark Di Vincenzo · 2009
  4. Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal Mary Roach · 2013

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. Genome: the Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters Matt Ridley · 1999
  2. When a Gene Makes You Smell Like a Fish: And Other Amazing Tales about the Genes in Your Body Lisa Seachrist Chiu · 2006
  3. The Language of Genes Steve Jones · 1993
  4. A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived: The Stories in Our Genes Adam Rutherford · 2016

Report a problem