The Quest For Life In Amber (Helix Book) [Paperback]

George Poinar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 1995 | Series: Helix Book

George Poinar began collecting amber specimins over thirty years ago, but it was only recently that he, Roberta Poinar, and the rest of his research team astounded the scientific community with the news that they had obtained ”live” DNA strands from an insect over 40 million years old. The news was so significant that it made headlines throughout the world. Since that time, their lab has remained extraordinarily active, and in the summer of 1993, they were able to announce the successful extraction of preserved DNA strands over 125 million years old. Thus, there is now DNA available for study dating from the early dinosaur period.In passages that read more like an Indiana Jones screenplay than a story about scientific research, the Poinars describe how what began as a hobby grew into a semi-obsession which ultimately led to a breakthrough scientific discovery. Along the way, they encounter all manner of unusual characters, from threatening black marketeers and gun-toting guerrillas to extraordinarily talented scientists, and of course, the luminously beautiful specimins captured in the still-life of amber.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

George Poinar, an entomologist at UC-Berkeley, and Roberta Poinar, an electron microscopist there, began with an avocational interest in amber and a simple question about the possibility of cell preservation in fossils often found in the hardened resin. It was only coincidence, they maintain, that their 1991 discovery that the tissue of bees preserved in amber contained DNA 25-40 million years old closely fit the subject of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. Here the husband-and-wife team details how a hobby led to a compelling thesis, taking readers on a tour of the world's fossil amber beds from Scandinavian beaches to the Caribbean to Russia, Africa and New Zealand, offering bits of gemology, social history and molecular science. The likelihood of a Jurassic Park scenario playing out in real life remains firmly theoretical, the Poinars reiterate, in their engaging tale of an absorbing search. Photos.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-The Poinars, an entomologist and an electron microscopist, respectively, investigate some scientific secrets. Their interest in amber began in the mid-1960s; together they roamed the world gathering samples and, in their laboratory, meticulously searched for ways to examine the stones in order to gather evidence about the ancient forests that produced them. The authors and their colleagues successfully extracted and preserved DNA strands that were over 100 million years old and disclosed exciting information about ancient life. This book illustrates the challenges scientists encounter in their work and how diverse groups within the scientific community can work together for common goals. One chapter addresses the question of cloning dinosaurs, and another treats scientific ideas expressed in the movie Jurassic Park. The final chapter discusses the implications for the future and the many new areas of research opening up. Young scientists will be excited by both the authors' adventure and the intriguing new field of ancient-DNA study.
Penny Stevens, Fairfax County Virginia Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; First edition (October 25, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201489287
• ISBN-13: 978-0201489286
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,912,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read all around!, August 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quest For Life In Amber (Helix Book) (Paperback)

I was digging for books about amber to write a genetics report and chose this one. I couldn't have chosen a better book! It was more than a scientific study, it was an all around adventure book! The author draws you right in. I'd suggest this book to anyone anyday!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and easy to see the scientific adventure., September 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quest for Life in Amber (Helix Books) (Hardcover)

This book is very interesting and easy to readers who want to know about scientific quest for ancient animals and plants in amber. The authors wrote this book very well to describe and explain scientists' life for exploring secret and truth of Nature. It isn't too scientific for people to understand about amber. And it isn't too plain to describe the scientific quest. I think this book is good for both students who are going to study biology and people who would like to explore the world of science.

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn what an insect in amber tells about the forest where it lived., November 29, 2011

By 

Searcher (Rochester,NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Quest For Life In Amber (Helix Book) (Paperback)

This is true story as read from the amber. Well experienced and respected researchers draw us into an investigation of amber and what the enclosed insects, hair, plant parts etc reveal about the environment in which they were living. Oh, you don't have to be a biologist to learn from this book; and you will see how observation and questions reveal more than you expected. The professionals will learn from the discoveries and references.