Many people know Kary Mullis as the tripping surfer dude who won the Nobel Prize. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993, and for a very good reason. He invented a little technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a slick process where anyone with the proper materials can replicate DNA in a test tube.
Before launching into the book, I think it is important to understand just how important his contribution was to the scientific community. PCR is an essential technique for many fields: Genomics (human genome sequencing, gene cloning and expression), Forensic Science (DNA fingerprinting), Health Science (gene therapy, genetic testing, identifying infectious agents and their origin- e.g. anthrax) and Research Science (anything you can think of). Without PCR, the biological sciences would not be advancing at their present rates. If PCR did not exist, there would be no human genome project, no gene therapy studies and I would still be injecting myself with cow insulin.
What's so interesting about him?
Kary Mullis is a man who isn't afraid to speak his mind, no matter what controversy he will stir up. He has been considered a lunatic and a farce by the scientific community at large. How can somebody who won a Nobel Prize be considered a farce? Well, for one, he frequently talks about and encourages the use of mind altering substances (i.e. LSD). He also challenges the notion that HIV causes AIDS; in the scientific community this alone will leave you branded as a wack-job. It is a well known fact that anyone who goes against the grain in the scientific community is forever labeled a trouble-maker. Mullis isnn't bothered by this, he relishes it.
Writing Style
Most scientists write in a very dry and overly-technical fashion; Kary Mullis is a notable exception. He is a wonderful storyteller. He weaves fantastic tales that are chock full of colorful language and astonishing imagery. I have a very short attention span, but I can honestly say that this book sucked me into its pages. At 209 pages, it is a quick and easy read. Suitable for scientists and non-scientists alike. Very humorous.
Contents
Prizes and PCR
The novel just wouldn't be complete without telling us how he came up with his Nobel Prize winning idea, PCR. One small idea from one small man leads to many big and laughable situations. In 1992, Mullis was awarded the Japan Prize and this evolves into quite a little story. How many people would have the guts to say, "What does an empress do for fun?" If it were anyone else, I wouldn't believe it. Then comes the awarding of the Nobel Prize. His response is, of course, to go surfing. The trip to Stockholm was quite eventful, as you might imagine it involved a laser pointer and the police.
The Climb to the Top
Woven throughout the book are many tales from Mullis' youth. He weaves a fascinating story of how a young boy became a great scientist. His introduction to chemistry sets and electricity as a boy led to many an explosion, and eventually to the rise of a brilliant scientist. These tales of youthful indiscretions make the autobiography worth reading. During his years at college and graduate school he does quite a bit of experimentation, just not the kind in the lab.
The OJ Factor
You may not be aware, but Mullis was invited to testify by the defense during the O.J. Simpson trial. After all, who better to explain the pitfalls of DNA fingerprinting than the man who made it all possible. His drug usage, naturally, kept him off of the stand. O.J. did just fine without him.
Outrageous Claims and Important Messages
Mullis writes a series of sharp essays, urging the public to watch out for themselves and to question authority. He states something that many people forget, there is nobody out there keeping an eye on us. He writes:
"No wise men sit up there, watching the world from the vantage point of their last twenty years of life, making sure that the wisdom they accumulated is being used."
This rather eloquently written essay leads into an inquisition of the scientific method. Koch's postulate is very simple, to prove that an infectious agent causes a disease you must: 1) Isolate the infectious agent from a diseased subject, 2) Cause the same illness in a non-diseased subject by exposing them to the isolated agent and 3) Reisolate the same infectious agent from the diseased subject. This has never been performed with HIV, for obvious reasons. Mullis matter-of-factly concludes that HIV may not cause AIDS. I don't think that Mullis truly believes this. I think he uses this argument to discourage others from accepting things in blind faith. While I think his claim is outrageous, the message he is trying to deliver is actually quite sound.
The Absurd
Mullis writes a number of chapters about traveling on the astral plane and raccoons that glow in the dark. He freely admits that these experiences are chemically induced. Still, they do make for some interesting reading.
Loves and Losses
Is there a love story? Actually, there are several love stories. Throughout the book, Mullis recounts many tales of love and loneliness. He discusses many of his failed marriages and relationships in the book and at times he appears quite lonely. Searching for that one woman who might understand him is harder than anyone might expect. There is one pretty heart-wrenching moment about an ex-wife who is dying of cancer. No autobiography can be all fun and games.
So What's this Book About Again?
At times the book is a genuine autobiography that tells the story of one man's life. At times the book acts a soapbox for Mullis to question the way the world works and to espouse his personal opinions. And still, at other times, the book is pure creative writing. Despite the rather peculiar juxtaposition of unrelated chapters, much like Slaughter House Five, the book flows quite nicely.
Bottom Line
Prepare to disrobe your mind and dance freely in a world that has been created by one of the most brilliant scientific minds of our time. Read it and enjoy it. If I have not sold you on the book yet, I think that the book's last paragraph will convince you:
"The appropriate demeanor for a human is to feel lucky that he is alive and to humble himself in the face of the immensity of things and have a beer. Relax. Welcome to Earth. It's a little confusing at first. That's why you have to come back over and over again before you learn to really enjoy yourself. The sky is not falling."
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.