Molecular Biology of the Gene.

WATSON, James D.

Item Number: 1194

New York: W.A. Benjamin, Inc, 1965.

First edition of the Nobel Prize-winning scientist’s first book. Octavo, original illustrated wrappers as issued. Signed  “J.D. Watson” on the title page (as his custom with this book, as that is how it appears on the title page). Editor’s foreword by Cyrus Levinthal. In very good condition. Uncommon signed.

Written three years before Watson's capstone, The Double Helix, The Molecular Biology of the Gene set a new standard for textbooks, particularly through the use of concept heads-brief declarative subheadings. Watson provided a historical basis for molecular biology, concise descriptions of fundamental chemical concepts, and a discussion of standard techniques and model organisms commonly used in molecular biology studies. The Molecular Biology of the Gene can be seen as Watson laying groundwork for what would culminate with the publication of The Double Helix.