samsamsam

Beginners guide to winning the nobel prize, by Peter Doherty.




Finished this book at last after a long while holding on to it and restarting it think thrice. Frankly, it's actually a good enlightening book but I just dont know why I took so long to wrap it up.

It talks little of deep science, more of philosophy and how he looks at things science or scientifically related, like the environment, religion, the future of science.

The first chapter is about the what he went through after being told he won teh Nobel Prize. Then he goes on to talk about why he won that prize and the crux of his work. It goes on to talk of how a modern lab is run; what the principle investigator (boss) does, what each member does, where the money comes from adn where it goes to, and how things are done. quite interesting to read of a formal account of something I do without thinking of everyday. Felt like this was teh best chapter in the book.

Then he talks of scientist's role in preserving the environment, and America as the superpower of research and development. The next chapter touches on how science and religion can co-exist and alot of what he says is true. The last chapter is his personal advice to budding scientists. It basically says 'work hard, then work harder'.

IMHO, not worth the S$35 I paid for the book. If you are interested, drop me a line and i'll lend it to you .... for a small price....

Maybe if you're not from science you would find the book more entertaining and illuminating. But for me, it doesnt bring me one inch close to winning that Prize.