ISBN: 9780199548187

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Avoid Boring People

And Other Lessons From A Life In Science

James D. Watson, James D. Watson


James D. Watson looks back on his extraordinary and varied career -- from its beginnings as a schoolboy in Chicago's South Side to the day he left Harvard almost 50 years later, world-renowned as the co-discoverer of DNA -- and considers the lessons he has learnt along the way.

The result is both an engagingly eccentric memoir and an insightful compendium of lessons in life for aspiring scientists. Watson's 'manners' range from those he learnt bird-watching with his father during the Great Depression ('Avoid fighting bigger boys and dogs' and 'Find a young hero to emulate') to the manners appropriate for a Nobel Prize ('Have friends close to those who rule'). He evokes his time as a graduate student in the 1940s ('Hire spunky lab helpers'); the excitement of working in DNA for the first time as well as having his first dates; his time working as a White House advisor; and at Harvard in the '70s.

Avoid Boring People is a quirky, original, wise, and infuriatingly un-put-downable blend of candid anecdotes and revealing insights into the life of one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century.

  • James D. Watson is one of the greatest living scientists. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962 for his part in the discovery of the structure of DNA.
  • A candid reflection on the lessons learnt during an extraordinary career in science.
  • Full of fascinating insights into science, scientists, laboratories, fame, and how to succeed in both science and life.
  • Watson describes the varied experiences of his scientific life, and alongside the stories and anecdotes he dispenses lessons in life - ranging from the wise to the witty and eccentric, each as insightful as the next.
  • Entertainingly written, combining popular science with stories told with real momentum and humour.
  • Conveys the passions, rivalries, and friendships of working during of the most exciting junctures of 20th century science, with many of the most important scientists of the time.
Foreword Preface 1. Manners acquired as a child 2. Manners learned while an undergraduate 3. Manners picked up in graduate school 4. Manners followed by the Phage Group 5. Manners passed on to an aspiring young scientist 6. Manners needed for important science 7. Manners practiced as an untenured professor 8. Manners deployed for academic zing 9. Manners noticed as a dispensable White House advisor 10. Manners appropriate for a Nobel Prize 11. Manners demanded by academic ineptitude 12. Manners behind for readable books 13. Manners required for academic civility 14. Manners displayed to hold two jobs 15. Manners maintained when reluctantly leaving Harvard Epilogue Cast of Characters
In 1953, while working at the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge University, James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the double helical structure of DNA. For their discovery they were awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, with Maurice Wilkins. Watson was appointed to the faculty at Harvard University in 1956. In 1968, while retaining his position at Harvard, he became director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL). In 1988 he was appointed as associate director of the National Institute of Health (NIH) to help launch the Human Genome Program. A year later he became the first director of the National Center for Human Genome Research at the NIH, and was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1997. In 2007 Watson retired from the position of Chancellor of CSHL.

Reviews from previous edition:
'...a deliciously detailed account of his life...Watson remains one of the most fascinating scientists of our time, as iconic in some respects as his double helix.' (Nature )

'A lively and provocative book.' (Financial Times, Books of the Year )

'The story is frank, personal, revealing' (Peter Lawrence, Literary Review )

'...with entertaining revelations...[and] interesting insights and anecdotes...' (Financial Times )

'...a fascinating story.' (The Times )

'It's never dull.' (The Herald (Glasgow) )

'Scientists will find the book most interesting.' (Irish Times )