PanThe Wall Street JournalThe prelude to modern genetics, particularly the ideas of Darwin and Mendel and their eventual integration, is well told. The book has many deft narrative passages, including lively descriptions of Mr. Mukherjee’s two mad uncles. But the uncles pop up randomly and, because there is as yet no genetic treatment for their disease, never really connect with the main theme. After a lively beginning, The Gene gets sidetracked into the history of eugenics...Mr. Mukherjee’s book will command attention because of its ambition and the success of his previous book. Its virtue is that it covers a broad, complex field in an accessible way. Too bad that he has marred a good yarn: The fascinating history of modern biology didn’t need to be spiced up with politicization and misguided hand-wringing.
