DNA is here to stay

When I was trying to learn bio-chemistry in the 1950s. DNA was the New Thing - very little about it in books and regarded by many as a 9-days wonder. I didn't understand although I knew what the letters stood for. Now, although I dare say few police officers know what Deoxyribonucleic Acid is, they all recognise DNA fingerprinting as the biggest forensic advance since fingerprints themselves. It's still a wonder.

This little book does an agreeable job of presenting DNA as the body's protein-designer; it's still a challenge to understand but the clarity with which the authors build up their picture makes it a lot easier for people at school now than it was for undergraduates forty years ago. The happy informality of Balkwill's text and Rolph's illustration ensures that this is not just a book for bio-boffins (although they'll probably get most out of it) and the whole is a fine example of synergy between the two - the kind of synergy that makes the double helix of DNA the vital thing it is.

A treasure for curious families (well, you know what I mean) as well as a real good help on library shelves.