Apprentice to Genius: The Making of a Scientific Dynasty [Paperback]

Robert Kanigel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1993

Robert Kanigel takes us into the heady world of a remarkable group of scientists working at the National Institutes of Health and the Johns Hopkins University: a dynasty of American researchers who for over forty years have made Nobel Prize- and Lasker Award-winning breakthroughs in biomedical science.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Corporate mentors are well known. Less visible are the "mentor chains" that from generation to generation produce eminent scientists. Kanigel traces one such chain in neuroscience and neuropharmacology that accounts for such resarchers as Steve Brodie, Julius Axelrod, Sol Snyder, and Candace Pertall brilliant scientists whose relations are characterized by camaraderie, envy, and frustration. The author's thesis is that participation in elite science through mentor chains provides more than grants, access to laboratories, and awards. It instills the ability to critically and creatively strike at the heart of a research question. An exciting story of discovery that evenly handles the inevitable conflicts. Recommended. Michael D. Cramer, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ. Lib., Blacksburg
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A beguiling combination of sociological and scientific scholarship, straight reporting and titillating voyeurism.

(Isis )

Making extensive use of interviews and anecdote, Kanigel depicts how, in a mentor-to-protege chain starting with James Shannon and moving to Bernard Brodie and then to Julius Axelrod, the legacy of creativity and empirical style has passed to Snyder and then to Pert.

(Science )

As compelling as a Jackie Collins novel, though with bigger words.

(Chicago Tribune )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press (November 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801847575
• ISBN-13: 978-0801847578
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert Kanigel was born in Brooklyn, NY, but for most of his adult life has lived in Baltimore, MD, where he lives today. He has written seven books, on wildly differing subjects. His second, "The Man Who Knew Infinity," was named a National Book Critics Circle finalist, a Los Angeles book Prize finalist, a New York Public Library "Book to Remember," and has been translated into Italian, German, Greek, Chinese, and other languages. His latest book, for which he was named recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship, is "On an Irish Island," set on a windswept island village off the coast of Ireland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent look at how mentoring in academics works....., September 2, 1998

By 

John Aaron Atkins ([e-mail]) (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apprentice to Genius: The Making of a Scientific Dynasty (Paperback)

While seemingly on a mundane and complicated subject (pharmacology and its researchers), it is an easy read for any layman and very, very interesting (especially on the topic of malaria medications and their discovery and problems)... Very interesting how hitching your star to the right person can make your career...and how pettiness and back-stabbing can be so cruel and counterproductive... A very, very good read for anyone even remotely interested in science...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scientific excellence is inheritable!, July 6, 2001

By 

HL Wong (Nara, Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apprentice to Genius: The Making of a Scientific Dynasty (Paperback)

Several years ago, my former mentor circulated this book in the lab. Until quite recently, my friends still found me quoting from it while talking about scientific ideas. Now, after reading the book for many times, and studying the characteristics of great mentors around me, I conclude that it's a marvelous book. Anyone who plan to have a bright scientific career should read this book. My only dissatisfaction is the book is so old. I demand a new edition or a sequel! And, I want more examples of such lineage of excellent scientists as described in the book.Surely, it's book that I will share with my student.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all aspiring scientists, February 20, 2010

By 

Jill Weathington "neuro girl" (Atlanta, Ga USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Apprentice to Genius: The Making of a Scientific Dynasty (Paperback)

This book was entertaining and germane to all aspiring and current scientists. Your scientific geneology will take on a new meaning and you will never be so proud to work in a field with curresnt mentor-apprintice relationships. After reading this book I found out that through my mentor, I am distantly related to Anne Frued!