104 used & new from £0.01
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
The Language of the Genes
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images
Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

The Language of the Genes (Paperback)

by Steve Jones (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


3 new from £5.00 101 used from £0.01
Other Editions: RRP: Our Price: Other Offers:
Hardcover (First) 22 used & new from £0.09
Paperback (2nd Revised edition) £8.99 £5.47 34 used & new from £1.23

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

In the Blood: God, Genes and Destiny

In the Blood: God, Genes and Destiny

by Steve Jones
4.7 out of 5 stars (3) 
Y: The Descent of Men

Y: The Descent of Men

by Steve Jones
3.5 out of 5 stars (6)  £5.16
Almost Like a Whale: The 'Origin of Species' Updated

Almost Like a Whale: The 'Origin of Species' Updated

by Steve Jones
3.9 out of 5 stars (14)  £7.77
Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters

Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters

by Matt Ridley
4.6 out of 5 stars (40)  £5.74
Introducing Genetics

Introducing Genetics

by Steve Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars (5)  £6.05
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 280 pages
  • Publisher: Flamingo; New Ed edition (14 Mar 1994)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0006546765
  • ISBN-13: 978-0006546764
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 13 x 2.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 185,304 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #42 in  Books > Science & Nature > Biological Sciences > Human Biology > Biological Anthropology
    #68 in  Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Anthropology > Physical

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Synopsis

Commissioned by the BBC to deliver the Reith Lectures in 1991, Steve Jones has used them as the basis for this book which argues that the evolution of our genes may be compared to the evolution of language. Genetics, argues the author, can help us unravel the mechanisms and fortunes of human evolutions in far more detail and with much greater confidence than was possible a few years ago. This book shows readers how close we are to success in the search for our origins. Drawing on complementary studies in anthropology and cultural history as well as the latest discoveries in the field of genetics, the book deals with pedigrees, mutation, natural selection and other processes that led to the origins of humanity and the divergence of human populations from each other and from their primate ancestors.

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
 
(9)
(8)
(6)
(6)
(4)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(2)
(2)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Language of the Genes
85% buy the item featured on this page:
The Language of the Genes 4.1 out of 5 stars (8)
Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters
5% buy
Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters 4.6 out of 5 stars (40)
£5.74
Almost Like a Whale: The 'Origin of Species' Updated
4% buy
Almost Like a Whale: The 'Origin of Species' Updated 3.9 out of 5 stars (14)
£7.77
In the Blood: God, Genes and Destiny
3% buy
In the Blood: God, Genes and Destiny 4.7 out of 5 stars (3)
Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
5 star:
 (5)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars (gtzer@hotmail.com) from Scotland is wrong, 9 Mar 2004
This review is from: The Language of the Genes (Paperback)
I learnt a great deal from the Language of the Genes. Jones not only writes lucidly about some rather subtle technical issues, he also gives readers space to think about the subject for themselves, which is not at all easy to pull off. I reject the suggestion that the book is cliched or inaccurate and that non-expert readers will be mislead. Though not a molecular biologist myself, I had fairly good knowledge of the subject before coming to the Language of the Genes. I found no conflict with my existing understanding.

I have read a great many popular science books - I even wrote a PhD thesis on them - and the Language of Genes is one of the most finely crafted, well-balanced examples of the genre I have ever come across. It is a good read for experts and non-experts alike. I can not think of a better introduction to genetics for people starting from scratch. I continue to recommend it regularly. It is the book I gave to my granny when she became interested in the background of the GMO debate.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A clear introduction to genetics, 1 Jun 2006
By Spider Monkey (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: The Language of the Genes (Paperback)
This is a clear, yet thoroughly engaging, look at our genes and how they affect us and society. It is lucid and easy to understand and not at all bogged down by scientific jargon or obscure references. It is a pleasure to read such an informative book, put forward in a highly entertaining way. A must read for any popular science book fan, or anyone with a passing interest in genes/genetics.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A superb read, 24 Nov 2004
By Joanna Cannon (Ashbourne, Derbyshire) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Language of the Genes (Paperback)
An amazing book, beautifully written and incredibly informative. Steve Jones writes in a witty, interesting and entertaining style and manages to educate the reader without the reader even being aware of it! There's no off-putting jargon, even complex ideas are explained clearly using excellent analogies, and the book is full of fascinating examples and stories which you will be quoting for many years to come. This is an essential read for anyone who is even vaguely interested in genetics - and an absolute must if, like me, you're sort of aware of what it's all about but not quite sure ...!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars ... but the genes do not explain everything
This review is of the revised edition of The Language of the Genes, published in 2000.

In his Preface, Steve Jones, Professor of Genetics at University College,... Read more
Published 14 months ago by trini

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Not your average genetic book its one of my favourite genetics books of all time a smart book very well written
Published on 6 Aug 2006 by Jose Miguel

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction
This book is based on a series of BBC programmes.
The main themes are evolution through mutation and natural selection, and heredity. Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2005 by Luc REYNAERT

2.0 out of 5 stars A book written for people who do not understand genetics.
The author succeeds in glamourising genetics. However, he uses gross generalisations and oversimplification which may not appeal to those who do know genetics. Read more
Published on 17 Jul 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on genetics you'll ever read
I already had the 1994 edition of this book, well-thumbed. Every other page has a post-it note stuck to it, marking something fascinating, amazing, thought-provoking or just... Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2000

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Look for similar items by subject








i.e., each product must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Feedback

Ad

Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.