The Violinist's Thumb

In case you're wondering, the violinist referred to in the title of Sam Kean's The Violinist's Thumb (#322) is the renowned Niccolo Paganini.  And the reason he's of interest in this non-fiction work can be answered by the book's subtitle: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War,  and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code.  Sam Kean has done a masterful job of hooking the reader by combining humorous or salacious (in some cases, both!) anecdotes with a serious look into the history of the discovery of DNA and genetic research.  The result is both highly entertaining and educational.  And there are pictures!

Since many, if not most, of the major discoveries discussed in The Violinist's Thumb have taken place within living memory, or fairly recently around the beginning of the twentieth century it makes the content of this book even more compelling.  It also makes me appreciate just how up-to-date the science books were in my parochial elementary and high schools, since I was learning about many of these things just a few years after the events described.  Mr. Kean is spot on to credit, among others, Sister Miriam Michael Stimson, an American Dominican nun, for pushing science forward at a critical juncture.  It therefore surprised me a little that he also seems to pooh-pooh Francis Collins for his Christian beliefs when asked to take over the management of the Human Genome Project; he notes Dr. Collins responded by praying about it.  He might have benefited by reading Dr. Collins' book The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief about how his research in the field of DNA and genetics led him from atheism to a strong belief in God - just a thought.  Mr. Kean also failed to mention that Dr. Collins will, at the drop of a hat, pick up his guitar and serenade his audience with clever ditties about DNA.  I've been in the audience for that, and will never forget it! 

I know that I learned quite a bit more about DNA and genetics from reading The Violinist's Thumb because Sam Kean makes the tough material much more accessible to the average person, but I have to admit that there were sections of his book that left me shaking my head, because I still just don't get it.  The section where he describes how artists are using strands of DNA to create sculptures is a perfect example.  He goes into detail about how a bust of Beethoven was made (single DNA strands only - I guess the double helix shape doesn't lend itself well to the process).  This could definitely have used a picture to illustrate what he was talking about, if that's even possible. 

Speaking of pictures, one of the illustrations did put a whole new slant on the BBC America series based on human cloning Orphan Black.  If you've watched the series, you'll know exactly which one!But if you have even an ordinary size bump of curiosity, you'll be sure to find something to amaze, surprise and delight you in The Violinist's Thumb, even if like me, you can't find the Easter egg Mr. Kean has embedded in the book.