The Nature of the Gene and Heredity

As The Gene traces the scientific history of the field of genetics from the mid-19th century to the present day, the main goal of that history and the scientists who feature in it is to illuminate and understand the nature of the gene and heredity. At first, this concept is broad as scientists like Mendel work to figure out the basic concepts of heredity. Gradually, with time, effort, and more research, the questions on the nature of the gene and heredity get more and more specific and microscopic (both literally and figuratively). The story of the gene, heredity, and their practical functions feels layered as one moves through the book. Each time one layer of understanding about the gene is pulled back and revealed, a new one appears at a more deeper level, prompting new questions on ever-progressively deeper layers of...