Heraclitean Fire: Sketches from a Life Before Nature [Hardcover]

Erwin Chargaff (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Paul & Co Pub Consortium; First Edition edition (June 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874700299
• ISBN-13: 978-0874700299
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,262,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timely, profound, a classic!, February 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Heraclitean Fire : Sketches from a Life Before Nature (Mass Market Paperback)

I just finished reading Erwin Chargaff's "Heraclitean Fire: Sketches from a Life before Nature" and all I can say is--"Wow!" Not only are the author's insights and experiences offered with incredible wit and richness, but the book is as timely and profound today in the year 2000, as when it was first published, almost twenty-five years ago. This book, desperately, needs to be read by all concerned and intelligent people around the world, as well as, all students, among institutions of higher learning.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended reading for scientists, August 12, 2001

By 

Nom de plume "nom de plume" (saginaw, michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heraclitean Fire: Sketches from a Life Before Nature (Hardcover)

This book was written by the man who discovered one of the basic properties of DNA, information later used by Watson and Crick who received the Nobel Prize for working out the structure of that same molecule. The book tells of science and personality in a sardonic wit that would have provoked envy from Ambrose Bierce. Also recommended for those who want to know what really goes on in science rather than what they hear in the news.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent read, even for non-scientists!, July 13, 2007

By 

Sarah O'Hara (Seattle, Washington United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heraclitean Fire: Sketches from a Life Before Nature (Hardcover)

I agree with the other reviews that identify "Heraclitean Fire: Sketches from a Life before Nature" as a must read for would be scientists. It is written beautifully in a style I'm more likley to call prose, especially when compared to the majority of modern writing. Chargaff is somewhat bitter and his general attitude is a bit bemusing at times. The book is a mix of his life story and the hidden nature of the scientific field.

I'm a non-scientist so it's hard for me to judge how accurate his description of science in 1978 is to the year 2007. But I found a lot of the points he made about the direction of "American style" science very important.

This blend of superb writing, biography and discussion of science makes for an interesting read. It's the best kind of book for people who love new ideas and great minds. Don't let Chargaff's modesty fool you, he's a genius. And perhaps at a young age he should have followed his calling to writing.