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Apprentice to Genius: The Making of a Scientific Dynasty

by Robert Kanigel (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 27 ratings
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From the author of the best-selling The Man Who Knew Infinity, comes an unprecedented look at the traditional master-apprentice relationship alive today in modern science. 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 more than forty years have made Nobel Prize-and Lasker Award-winning breakthroughs in biomedical science. He brilliantly captures the drama of fine minds and explosice personalities at work-whether Bernard Brodie and Julius Axelrod discovering a new wonder drug called Tylenol or Solomon Snyder and Candace Pert unlocking the chemical secrets of the brain. And as we watch ideas debated, expierments working and failing, careers and relationships tested, and professional honors lost and won, we see close up all that is so deeply human in the practice of science. In a new epilogue to this edition, Kanigel brings us up-to-date on the lives and careers of these unforgettable personalities.

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  1. ISBN-10
    0801847575
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0801847578
  3. Publisher
    Johns Hopkins University Press
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 1993
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.76 x 8.5 inches
  7. Print length
    304 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

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

About the Author

Robert Kanigel is a professional science writer. His recent book, The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan, was a national bestseller and National Book Critics Circle Award finalist for biography in 1992.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Johns Hopkins University Press (November 1, 1993)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0801847575
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0801847578
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.76 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 27 ratings

About the author

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Robert Kanigel

Robert Kanigel

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Robert Kanigel is the author of nine previous books, most recently "Hearing Homer's Song: The Brief Life and Big Idea of Milman Parry." His "Eyes on the Street: The Life of Jane Jacobs" was long-listed for the 2017 Andrew Carnegie Medal for nonfiction and named an NPR best book of the year. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a Guggenheim fellowship, the Grady-Stack Award for science writing and, for his Milman Parry biography, a Public Scholar grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. His book "The Man Who Knew Infinity" was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and named a New York Public Library "Book to Remember"; it has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and was the basis for the film of the same name starring Jeremy Irons and Dev Patel. .Kanigel and his wife, the poet S. B. Merrow, live in Baltimore. His first memoir, "Young Man, Muddled," was published in late 2022. [robertkanigel.com]

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4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
27 global ratings

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read .Truly inspirational!
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2016
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Great read for anybody interested in medical research, the early days of the NIH and the virtues of perserverance.Julie Axelrod,failed to gain admission to med school due to mediocre grades as a Pre-med and racial quotas against jews in the early 1900's. He lost an eye due to an Ammonia lab explosion at 23.He spent 10yrs in a dead end job testing chemical ingredients in food.Nevertheless, he loved science.Went to night classes and obtained a Masters in Chemistry.He worked as a lab rat for a PI that stole his work and gave him zero credit.He took courage, at 42, despite being married and having 2 kids and took steps towards obtaining a PhD.Armed with a PhD, he embarked on research that revolutionized Pharmacology and the fundamental understanding of the transport of molecules in neuronal tissues.His determination, perserverance and hard work earned him a share of the nobel prize in Physiology and Medicine.
As someone interested in the uptake of molecules in cells and consequences for disease and Pathology, I found this book to be truly incredible. It's also true inspiration as I seek to find ways to use my Chemical Engineering background to find cures for diseases that afflict mankind and hopefully relieve human suffering .I recommend it to anybody interested in Physiology, Medicine, Pharmacology, the Politics of lab research etc.,I especially recommend it to women in research.There's a scene about a famous female researcher and how her contributions to pioneering research were stolen by her PI-who took all credit, enjoyed all the accolades, and never acknowledged the significant contributions made by the female student researcher.This is a must read for any serious future resarch scientist, or anybody that truly loves science.An extra bonus if you are familiar with DC and expecially the Rockville, Bethesda area. Lots of nuggets about pre-NIH , I-270 corridor.
3 people found this helpful
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M. Jantzen
5.0 out of 5 stars Inside the NIH, geniuses at work--and it's not all nice actions
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2020
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This is a very wide-ranging look into the National Institute of Health, from its formation to a decade or so ago. The actions and lives of several key players take center stage. This was an amazing time with amazing players in the game. That it was a game is described in considerable detail, something that one would not likely see from an official biography of either the key participants or the Institute itself.

My experience is not in the field of medical research, so there is a fairly large segment of detailed discussion of lab procedures and results that is beyond my understanding. I simply took it as factual; someone in the field might possibly find it less so. That said, the central story line is not at all impacted by ones' depth of knowledge or lack of it; it is the unfolding history of how brilliant people attracted other brilliant people; hence the title. Could this concept be widely applied to other activities? I think so, but that would require a pool of brilliant people willing to work their tails off for nothing more than to achieve results. A serious quest, especially in today's American culture.
2 people found this helpful
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John H. Hwung
5.0 out of 5 stars A monumental work on scientifc mentoring!
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2007
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How many books are there which talk about scientific mentoring? So very few. This book gives vivid portraits of how top-flight scientists pass down their "research genes" by mentoring their apprentices. This book gives the readers the inside look of the research lives of these prominent scientists and their disciples. Of course, not all things are glorious, but throughout the book, the author brought out the theme again and again that mentoring is essential to the producing of next generation of outstanding achievers.

This book should be read by every bright and ambitious graduate student and postdoc. Do you want to achieve greatness? Do you want to learn how to do great research? Attach yourself to a great scientist! Julius Axelrod, the 1970 Nobel Laureate, has a saying: "99% of the discoveries are made by 1% of the scientists." Sociologist Harriet Zuckerman reported that the single factor that most clearly differentiated Nobel laureates from outstanding but lesser scientists was training with another Nobel laureate. Thus, the importance of mentoring cannot be overstated for a young budding scientist!

This book should be read by every top scientist in the world. Your legacy lies not just in your individual achievement, but also in passing down your "research genes" to the next generation and thus greatly magnifying your legacy.

The author should be applauded for such a monumental work!
6 people found this helpful
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Traveler
5.0 out of 5 stars For people in academics, it is truly valuable.
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2012
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Robert Kanigel is a rare gem. I stumbled on his other book " Srinivasa Ramanujan: The Man Who Knew Infinity" and was completely bewildered by his exceptional detailing and story telling ability. This book is such a rare piece as well. It inspires you and makes you think about all the subtle nuances of inter-personal relationships in academics/research. As a grad student, I was thoroughly inspired by this book. It does a very good job of infusing passion.
After reading this book, I started reevaluating my grad life and decided to move to a different school to work with the right kind of people. Working and surrounding oneself with passionate and dedicated people can make so much difference and this is an excellent book on everything to do with scientific mentoring.
2 people found this helpful
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Rayan Harmouch
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for aspiring pharmacologists
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020
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Anyone interest in pharmacology must read this book! An amazing read.
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Jill Weathington
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all aspiring scientists
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2010
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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!
2 people found this helpful
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Aaron
5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable book
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2013
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It was the same as it was described. The Shipping time is OK.
This book introduce vivid portraits of aspiring scientists. I would highly recommend the bright and ambitious graduate students and postdocs to read it.
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