In this classic, originally published 25 years ago and now reprinted with a new Afterword by the author on how he came to write the book, Judson tells the story of the birth and early development of molecular biology, in the US, the UK and France. In particular, the fascinating account of the remarkable golden period from the revelation of the double helix structure of DNA through to cracking the genetic code and solving the basic problems of how genes are regulated, is told largely in the words of the main players in the unfolding drama, all of whom were interviewed extensively by Judson in preparing this acclaimed volume. As well as the new Afterword that appears here for the first time, the current edition contains the material added by the author to the earlier "Expanded Edition" (CSHL Press 1996) on some of the principal figures involved, particularly Rosalind Franklin, together with the Afterword added at that time which sketches the further development of molecular biology into the era of recombinant DNA.

《双螺旋:发现DNA结构的故事》内容简介：20世纪在科学发展史上是一个辉煌的世纪，以物理学和生物学的创新性成果为标志的科学成就，极大地改变了世界的面貌，改变了人类的认知水平、生产方式和生活方式。20世纪也是科学史上的一个英雄世纪，一大批别具一格的科学大师风云际会，相继登场，使科学的舞台展现出前所未有的绚丽风采。20世纪发生了两次世界大战，二战催生的原子弹，使社会公众了解了科学的巨大威力，也促使人类认真地审视科学，了解到科学必须要与人类的良知，与人文精神结合在一起，只有合理地利用，才能造福于人类，才能有利于和平，有利于人类社会的可持续发展。进入20世纪80年代，人类更进一步认识到必须携起手来保护生态，控制环境污染，探索可持续发展的道路。可持续发展理念的形成，是20世纪阶级社会发展观进步的一个重大的事件。 回顾20世纪科学走过的道路，从突飞猛进的科学创造，到科学与人文伦理的深度撞击，形成与人文精神交融并进的局面，最终在人类文明史上留下了不同寻常的篇章。