The double helix
by James D. Watson, Grover Gardner narrator, Alexander Gann, Jan Witkowski, David Maule · first published 1968
33% recommend56% neutral12% critical
Why HN recommends it
Candid, page-turning first-person account of the race to find DNA's structure in 1950s Cambridge. Accessible, with a look at lab and team dynamics; suits anyone considering grad school or research.
Common criticism: Dismissive, sexist portrayal of Rosalind Franklin
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
By identifying the structure of DNA, the molecule of life, Francis Crick and James Watson revolutionized biochemistry and won themselves a Nobel Prize. At the time, Watson was only 24, a young scientist hungry to make his mark. His uncompromisingly honest account of the heady days of their thrilling sprint against other world-class researchers to solve one of science's greatest mysteries gives a dazzlingly clear picture of a world of brilliant scientists with great gifts, very human ambitions, and bitter rivalries. With humility unspoiled by false modesty, Watson relates his and Crick's desper
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2008–2026The eighth day of creation
Horace Freeland Judson
Recommended by 10 · mentioned by 1010 recommend · 10 mention10 recommend · 1010 recommend
2022–2026Tuxedo Park
Jennet Conant
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 55 recommend · 5 mention5 recommend · 55 recommend
2009–2025Iwoz - Computer Geek to Cult Icon
Steve Wozniak, Gina Smith
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 75 recommend · 7 mention5 recommend · 75 recommend
2019–2025The dark lady
Mike Resnick
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 32 recommend · 3 mention2 recommend · 32 recommend
2010–2026Shadow Divers
Robert Kurson
Recommended by 18 · mentioned by 2218 recommend · 22 mention18 recommend · 2218 recommend
2008–2025Walt Disney
Neal Gabler
Recommended by 7 · mentioned by 87 recommend · 8 mention7 recommend · 87 recommend
Secret Race
Coyle, Daniel, Hamilton, Tyler
Recommended by 7 · mentioned by 107 recommend · 10 mention7 recommend · 107 recommend
2016–2025West with the night
Beryl Markham
Recommended by 8 · mentioned by 98 recommend · 9 mention8 recommend · 98 recommend
Absolutely. I found reading A. v. Humboldt absolutely fascinating. (He has the added merit of not only having been a brilliant scientist, but also a gifted prose writer.) And James Watson's "The Double Helix" was an intriguing insight into a period in biology when much of what we take for granted was just being discovered. One gains a deeper understanding for any system of thought when one learns how it came…
on “C.S. Lewis on the Reading of Old Books” ↗Yes. That is true. She passed away before the Nobel. Anyone interested in this topic should read "The Double Helix" by Watson. It is a real page turner and discusses how Watson and Crick kind of stole Franklin's research.
on “Scientists who never won a Nobel Prize” ↗Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, and Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology, by Ayn Rand. To a lesser extent, The Double Helix, by James D. Watson.
on “What is the book that has completely changed your way of thinking?” ↗…Shakespearian tragedy and quantum mechanics with a CS degree, for example). Here's some reading that might encourage you to rethink grad school. The memoir of James Watson (Watson and Crick, discoverers of DNA double helix) Avoid Boring People. Also, Hamming's speech "You and Your Research." (http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~robins/YouAndYourResearch.html) Both talk about why overspecialization is bad, and what you can do…
on “19 year-old Stanford Ph.D. dropout Andrew Hsu is Changing Education” ↗…by Objectivist authors, and not in any particular order): Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture by David Kushner The Soul of A New Machine by Tracy Kidder The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA by James Watson What Do You Care What Other People Think?: Further Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard Feynman Surely You're Joking,…
on “Ask HN: What are some books that changed how you think?” ↗“The Double Helix” Rich on so many levels—must read for anyone considering grad school with a real, research component. Also a good, broad look at team/organizational dynamics—and, surprise: the best self-promoter wins.
on “Ask HN: Books on specific topics that have applied to many areas of your life?” ↗I found it historically interesting thought the bit about entropy at the end seems slightly muddled. It's kind a bit of a prequel to Watson's The Double Helix which I found a good read.
on “Schrödinger’s cat among biology’s pigeons: 75 years of What Is Life?” ↗May I suggest The Double Helix by James D. Watson https://www.amazon.com/DOUBLE-HELIX-James-D-Watson/dp/B00A21...
on “What is an influential science book with wide reaching influence” ↗…tragedy. Locke: A biography by Roger Woolhouse ; the father of classical liberalism in a time of upheaval in England, interactions with the king, banishment to Holland, promoted religious toleration The Double Helix: James Watson; scientific discovery in 1950s Cambridge, the thrill of the race to be first, controversy with Rosalind Franklin The Caro books on Lyndon Johnson; insight into the ugly guts of politics,…
on “Ask HN: Biographies recommendations – both Westerner and Non-westerner” ↗"The Double Helix" by Watson delves into the highly competitive nature of this level of research. It is a candid and entertaining portrayal.
on “The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020” ↗…situations? Isn't the main complaint about Crick the fact that he was too loud (especially his laugh), too willing to solve other people's problems? And was Watson a nerd at all? I think the magic of The Double Helix is that Watson tells the truth (or "his truth") to a fault. That's necessary for good biography and it's very rare but I don't get the sense that Watson is unaware of what he's doing or what the consequences…
on “Fierce Nerds” ↗"The Double Helix" by James Watson is still a surprisingly accessible read that's very relevant here.
on “The FBHHRBNRSSSHK-Algorithm for Multiplication is still not the end” ↗To add some that haven't already been listed here: - The Billion Dollar Molecule: story of Vertex pharmaceuticals and their new approach to drug design - The Double Helix: story of the discovery of the structure of DNA by one of the principal scientists involved (Watson) More of a business/economic history but if you liked Titan by Chernow you would probably also like…
on “Ask HN: Good Books on the History of Technology?” ↗I read The Double Helix, Watson's autobiography (which I enjoyed), what are you referring to that he failed to mention?
…that establish the process by which Gosling's photo made it to Watson and Crick. Of all the accounts I've read, it seems to be the most factual. I think it's also worth reading Watson's account ("The Double Helix") and the book that originally brought the most attention to the treatment of Franklin ("Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA") I believe this article has some updated results: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/science/rosalind-franklin...…