Readership: General readers of memoirs and biography, particularly scientific biography. Readers of popular science, scientists, and those interested in 20th century science history. This book will especially appeal to those who have enjoyed Watson's previous books, particularly his bestselling The Double Helix and A Passion for DNA.
James D. Watson, Past Chancellor, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
"Frank, humorous and replete with aphorisms...This is a most enjoyable read, but what Watson's exuberant and candid memoir leaves plenty for science and historians. He satisfies two Watson maxims: be first to tell a good story and avoid boring people." - Chemistry World.
Review(s) from previous edition"...a deliciously detailed account of his life...Watson remains one of the most fascinating scientists of our time, as iconic in some respects as his double helix. - Nature
"A lively and provocative book." - Financial Times, Books of the Year
"The story is frank, personal, revealing" - Peter Lawrence, Literary Review
"...with entertaining revelations...[and] interesting insights and anecdotes..." - Financial Times
"...a fascinating story." - The Times
"It's never dull." - The Herald (Glasgow)
"Scientists will find the book most interesting." - Irish Times
Foreword Preface 1: Manners acquired as a child 2: Manners learned while an undergraduate 3: Manners picked up in graduate school 4: Manners followed by the Phage Group 5: Manners passed on to an aspiring young scientist 6: Manners needed for important science 7: Manners practiced as an untenured professor 8: Manners deployed for academic zing 9: Manners noticed as a dispensable White House advisor 10: Manners appropriate for a Nobel Prize 11: Manners demanded by academic ineptitude 12: Manners behind for readable books 13: Manners required for academic civility 14: Manners displayed to hold two jobs 15: Manners maintained when reluctantly leaving Harvard Epilogue Cast of Characters
