Review
“Ms. Armstrong’s book comes alive in the sections where she explores cancer’s human toll . . . She also captures the excitement of researchers as they come upon eureka moments.” ―The Wall Street Journal
“She covers every aspect of cancer development, giving us a sense of how this evasive illness persists, even in the face of modern medicine . . . As Armstrong paints a picture of hope in the book, she apologizes for the slow progress that medical science makes. With her optimistic outlook, we can sleep better at night knowing that someone’s at the helm.” ―San Francisco Book Review
“As in the best travel writing, it’s not the destination that’s important here, but the journey. This is not only a story about the gene on chromosome 17, nor only about the nature of cancer, but also about how science works.” ―The Boston Globe
“A succinct, accessible study of humanity's genetic bulwark against cancer.” ―Nature
“A brilliant narrative that captures the essence of the scientific challenges faced by researchers in this pursuit and the progress that has been made in our understanding of p53.” ―Science Magazine
“Armstrong’s book is genuinely engrossing on many levels, and the story is very well told. It has considerable depth, yet sufficient clarity to be able to reach a wide audience.” ―Cell Magazine
“Armstrong adroitly untangles the complex story of this impressive gene.” ―Booklist








