Rosalind Franklin and the Structure of Life (Profiles in Science) [Library Binding]

Jane Polcovar (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up—Although many people associate the names Watson and Crick with the discovery of DNA, few know that Franklin took the photograph that led the two men to their conclusions. Written in an easy-to-read manner, this book highlights her personal and professional struggles, and readers interested in the history of science will marvel at how such a huge player in the discovery of the double helix could have been overlooked. Black-and-white and color pictures complement the text, and some of them illustrate scientific concepts. The book is carefully annotated, has a detailed index, and includes helpful Web sites. A fine addition to large science collections.—Delia Carruthers, Sunset Ridge Middle School, West Jordan, UT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

English scientist Franklin is perhaps best remembered for making the X-ray diffraction image that led to Watson and Crick's discovery of the structure of DNA. She died of cancer at 37, never knowing that they had seen that image or that it had been crucial to their breakthrough. Neither idealizing Franklin nor downplaying her importance, Polcovar writes a rattling good story on two fronts: a woman becoming a scientist in an age when that was still unusual and the complex dynamics of personalities in a field sometimes thought of as impersonal. The author very clearly explains the personality clashes in the lab and the competitive environment in the scientific community that preceded that DNA announcement as well as the efforts, begun soon after her death and still continuing, to give Franklin full recognition for her part in that discovery. Illustrated mainly with photos, some in color, this absorbing biography concludes with a time line, source notes, recommended Internet sites, and a bibliography. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 144 pages
• Publisher: Morgan Reynolds Publishing (October 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159935022X
• ISBN-13: 978-1599350226
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,766,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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