Sunday, March 29, 2026

Book Review – The Violinist’s Thumb

The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic CodeThe Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code by Sam Kean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Though I enjoyed this as much as I liked the other Sam Kean books I’ve read, I admit I found the subject a bit more inaccessible than usual. That’s likely due in no small part to the complex, technical nature of DNA. I’m sure it’s hard to simplify without losing the essential points, and personification – analogizing by attributing emotion and intent to molecules – doesn’t help. But interesting intersections between science and history abound, which keep the author well within the realm where he excels.

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