Although this is a set of essays rather than an autobiography--"I do not have the proper temperament for a good book about myself," Cairns says--several incidents of the distinguished physician-researcher's life surface amusingly; for instance, his description of Nobel laureate Max Delbruck's sniff of disdain when he learns that Cairns is an M.D., not a Ph.D., is delightful. Primarily, though, using cancer as the thread that binds the essays together, Cairns shows how the party line on the causes of cancer has changed and how this has affected the choice of subjects for research and the relationship between clinical and research medicine. He examines the history of molecular biology, using primarily simple, informative drawings to augment his lucid prose. He argues that the war against cancer would have met with more success had it emphasized prevention rather than treatment. Well documented, the entire book has much to offer for serious general readers interested in hard medical science topics. William Beatty
Review
"A brilliant and impressive analysis. . . [t]his book should be in everyone's personal library for many reasons; first, because Cairns is a lyrical writer and, second, he writes about science and molecular biology based on vast scientific knowledge, stressing the importance of history and of appreciating ultimate causes for all aspects of our lives and all that affects us. Interwoven are his perceptions of the beautiful and gracious things in life-art, music, literature-all with exquisite clarity. Matters is a joy to read." -- Choice
"Although this is a set of essays rather than an autobiography. . . several incidents of the distinguished physician-researcher's life surface amusingly. . . . Well documented, the entire book has much to offer for serious general readers. . . . " -- Booklist
"[Cairns's] lucid exposition shows how experiments, observations, and calculations support some of the grand conclusions of modern biology. He offers fresh--although sometimes controversial--insights." -- Joel E. Cohen, Nature
Although this is a set of essays rather than an autobiography. . . several incidents of the distinguished physician-researcher's life surface amusingly. . . . Well documented, the entire book has much to offer for serious general readers. . . . -- Review
Graceful essays from the pen of a keen observer who is blessed with a wideranging intellect and a familiarity with molecular biology, human origins, epidemiology, and the origins of human cancer. -- Robert A. Weinberg, author of Racing to the Beginning of the Road
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