History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

The Genetic Code and the Origin of Life (Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit (Unnumbered).)

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The Genetic Code and the Origin of Life (Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit (Unnumbered).)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0306478439

Book Description

The Genetic Code and the Origin of Life celebrates the 50 ^th anniversary of the discovery of the double helix. This book combines two complementary approaches to address the question of the development of the Genetic Code. The first chapters provide general perspectives into the most important features of the evolution of life and the code. The rest of the chapters provide detailed analyses on the features and evolution of independent components of the code. Thus the book combines a general overview with detailed descriptions. This volume provides a general reference for the academic audience interested in evolution and, simultaneously, consolidates our most detailed knowledge on the biological characteristics of the components of the genetic code.

The Human Genome Project: Cracking the Genetic Code of Life

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The Human Genome Project: Cracking the Genetic Code of Life
Thomas F. Lee
Manufacturer: Plenum Publishing Corporation
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ASIN: 0306439654

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Disappointing, but what was I to expect
God Code
God Code reveals a Hidden Message
EVERYONE LISTEN UP!!!!!!!
Where is the evidence?

The God Code
Gregg Braden
Manufacturer: Hay House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1401902995

amazon.com

Author and computer systems designer Gregg Braden wrapped this entire book around the premise that God's name is literally encoded into every human body. According to Braden's logic, the basic elements of DNA--hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon--directly translate into specific letters of the Hebrew alphabets (YHVA), which then translate into the original name of God. Braden's hope is that knowing that God's signature is carried within each cell of the estimated six billion humans on earth will give humankind the evidence we need to overcome our differences and renew our faith:

Beyond Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Shinto, Native, Aboriginal, white, black, red, or yellow; man, woman, or child, the message reminds us that we are human. As humans, we share the same ancestors and exist as the children of the same Creator. In the moments that we doubt this one immutable truth, we need look no further than the cells of our body to be reminded. This is the power of the message within our cells.

One could argue that this melding of spirituality and science may be the next frontier in human evolution. Nonetheless, skeptics could also argue that this DNA=YHVA equation is an eerie coincidence, instead of a quantum breakthrough--like folding a $20 bill in a certain shape and seeing the twin towers in flames (Braden dispels such skepticism by asserting that the "odds that this relationship has occurred by chance are approximately 1 in 200,000"). This is neither a consistent or easy read. Some passages are filled with dense, analytical stretches of cross referencing ancient texts with modern science. Others are more prosaic as Braden explains his beautifully optimistic hope for peace on Earth. --Gail Hudson

Book Description

A coded message has been found within the molecules of life; deep within the DNA in each cell of our bodies. Through a remarkable discovery linking Biblical alphabets to our genetic code, the "language of life" may now be read as the ancient letters of a timeless message. Regardless of race, religion, heritage or lifestyle, the message is the same in each cell of every woman, child and man, past and present.

With nearly one third of the world's nations currently embroiled in armed conflict, such proof of a universal bond offers compelling evidence that we are greater than any beliefs that have separated us in the past. Through this newly found expression of unity we find a place to begin when our differences seem insurmountable.

In this all-new original research, Gregg Braden shares the life-changing discovery that led him from a successful career in aerospace and defense to an extensive 12-year study of the most sacred and honored traditions of humankind. Through his global search and controversial findings:

• Discover the coded message of our cells from the day of our origins
• Experience that message as a universal principle of unity that makes war based in our differences obsolete
• See the recently revealed fragment of the Dead Sea Scrolls validating the text discovered in our cells
• Discover tangible and unprecedented evidence that we are part of a greater existence
• Learn how the message in your DNA becomes the foundation to resolve conflict; and offers a method, and a reason to believe that peace is possible within families and between nations

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing, but what was I to expect.......2007-09-19

I came upon this book by accident and given some of the great reviews and the claim by the author to have worked for many years as an engineer, I expected this would be a logically sound book. I was very disappointed to learn that not only was the book mostly(about 95%) a compilation of works from other authors and just common knowledge, but to make the leap from what the author wants to believe and what he presents to be so undeniable is just absurd. There is no proof, nor did I expect any, but I did expect a logical progression to making logically sound points, which were missing. Assumptions were made left and right to come to a conclusion that the author wanted to believe in more than anything. Very disappointed with this book, would not suggest this book to anyone, and unfortunately I've bought two books by this author before being acquainted with his work, so I'll just have read The Divine Matrix and provide my review independent of The God Code.

God Code.......2007-07-23

Thought provoking. Makes you wonder about all that we don't know about our history and about our prehistory.

God Code reveals a Hidden Message.......2007-07-15

Like so many books that delve into the more esoteric aspects of reality, the God Code explores the hidden, unseen aspects of codes. Hidden in our DNA, and applying gematria (Hebrew letters which are assigned number values), we get a very important message that God is eternal and within our bodies.

For some people, a few of Braden's conclusions will be a stretch and seem far-fetched. However, I totally relate to all the numerological relationships Braden puts forth, so I really enjoyed the God Code. The book actually helped me understand several important connections about YHVH (Hebrew name of God) and the four DNA bases that make up all life. Because this was important to me, I referenced his observations in the book I was writing at the time.

EVERYONE LISTEN UP!!!!!!!.......2007-04-04

YOU HAVE TO GET THIS BOOK. THE WHOLE WORLD NEEDS THIS MESSAGE. I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING DOWN A SIMILAR PATH AND CAME TO THE SAME BASIC CONCLUSIONS. THE TIME FOR AWAKENING IS HERE AND WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME. GREGG BRADEN HAS PUT HIS MONEY WHERE HIS MOUTH IS. HE IS BRILLIANT AND TIMELY...GREAT READ....

Where is the evidence?.......2007-02-13

The Cod Code presents an interesting theory but then proceeds to insist that it is the TRUTH with no supporting evidence. I was disappointed. I wanted to see some justification for Mr Braden's theory. I wish the book had left me with more than the knowledge of Mr Branden's belief.

Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters

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Understanding what makes us, US
Compelling
review of genome
Genome
Remarkable

Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters
Matt Ridley
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060194979

Amazon.com

Science writer Matt Ridley has found a way to tell someone else's story without being accused of plagiarism. Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters delves deep within your body (and, to be fair, Ridley's too) looking for dirt dug up by the Human Genome Project. Each chapter pries one gene out of its chromosome and focuses on its role in our development and adult life, but also goes further, exploring the implications of genetic research and our quickly changing social attitudes toward this information. Genome shies away from the "tedious biochemical middle managers" that only a nerd could love and instead goes for the A-material: genes associated with cancer, intelligence, sex (of course), and more.

Readers unfamiliar with the jargon of genetic research needn't fear; Ridley provides a quick, clear guide to the few words and concepts he must use to translate hard science into English. His writing is informal, relaxed, and playful, guiding the reader so effortlessly through our 23 chromosomes that by the end we wish we had more. He believes that the Human Genome Project will be as world-changing as the splitting of the atom; if so, he is helping us prepare for exciting times--the hope of a cure for cancer contrasts starkly with the horrors of newly empowered eugenicists. Anyone interested in the future of the body should get a head start with the clever, engrossing Genome. --Rob Lightner

Book Description

The human genome, the complete set of genes housed in twenty-three pairs of chromosomes, is nothing less than an autobiography of our species. Spelled out in a billion three-letter words using the four-letter alphabet of DNA, the genome has been edited, abridged, altered and added to as it has been handed down, generation to generation, over more than three billion years. With the first draft of the human genome due to be published in 2000, we, this lucky generation, are the first beings who are able to read this extraordinary book and to gain hitherto unimaginable insights into what it means to be alive, to be human, to be conscious or to be ill.

By picking one newly discovered gene from each of the twenty-three human chromosomes and telling its story, Matt Ridley recounts the history of our species and its ancestors from the dawn of life to the brink of future medicine. He finds genes that we share with bacteria, genes that distinguish us from chimpanzees, genes that can condemn us to cruel diseases, genes that may influence our intelligence, genes that enable us to use grammatical language, genes that guide the development of our bodies and our brains, genes that allow us to remember, genes that exhibit the strange alchemy of nature and nurture, genes that parasitise us for their own selfish ends, genes that battle with one another and genes that record the history of human migrations. From Huntington's disease to cancer, he explores the applications of genetics: the search for understanding and therapy, the horrors of eugenics and the philosophical implications for understanding the paradox of free will.

Customer Reviews:

Understanding what makes us, US.......2007-07-12

This is a great primer for anyone wanting to understand what genes are - and they are not there to cause diseases!!!. The writing style is informative without being weighty and the book is an easy read for the non-scientific.

Compelling.......2007-06-27

I love this book. I only gave it 4 stars because I haven't finished it yet. It's one of those books that you can read over and over and learn new material each time. Matt Ridley's writing style is very easy to follow and he makes the discoveries of science compelling. It's a well organized piece that will most likely intrigue your friends and family as it makes for great conversation. I'm planning on checking out his other published works as well. Great gift too!

review of genome .......2007-05-29

I only read one chapter but i thought it was well written and easy to read despite the complex subject matter.

Genome.......2007-02-07

This is one of the most interesting books I have read in a long time. I am in the field of music and business. This book broke it down so that I could understand most of the major concepts. It is a very good overview of what the Genome Project is and begins to discuss some of the implications that it may have for the future.

Remarkable.......2006-12-31

Fascinating revelations about the workings of genes by a talented writer who makes a complex subject entertaining, insightful, and informative without overloading the non-scientist with arcane scientific and technical jargon. Perhaps even puts a thumb on the scale when a person weighs the contibutions of nature verses nurture in determining who we are and who we will become.

Genomic Regulatory Systems: Development and Evolution

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Great book - pity about the illustrations
Dense but worthwhile reading
Clear introductory material
Meaty, but decidedly not for beginners

Genomic Regulatory Systems: Development and Evolution
Eric H. Davidson
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0122053516

Book Description

The interaction between biology and evolution has been the subject of great interest in recent years. Because evolution is such a highly debated topic, a biologically oriented discussion will appeal not only to scientists and biologists but also to the interested lay person. This topic will always be a subject of controversy and therefore any breaking information regarding it is of great interest.
The author is a recognized expert in the field of developmental biology and has been instrumental in elucidating the relationship between biology and evolution. The study of evolution is of interest to many different kinds of people and Genomic Regulatory Systems: In Development and Evolution is written at a level that is very easy to read and understand even for the nonscientist.

* Contents Include
* Regulatory Hardwiring: A Brief Overview of the Genomic Control Apparatus and Its Causal Role in Development and Evolution
* Inside the Cis-Regulatory Module: Control Logic and How the Regulatory Environment Is Transduced into Spatial Patterns of Gene Expression
* Regulation of Direct Cell-Type Specification in Early Development
* The Secret of the Bilaterians: Abstract Regulatory Design in Building Adult Body Parts
* Changes That Make New Forms: Gene Regulatory Systems and the Evolution of Body Plans

Customer Reviews:

Great book - pity about the illustrations.......2005-05-19

This is a very intersting book on an amazing topic which is straightforward enough for an interested educted layman to understand. But unfortunately it is a wierd mix of chatty remarks and pointlessly obstruse passages that read like letters to Nature.

The very worst thing is the illustrations and blurbs. The design is so bad that it really is hilarious at times. Sometimes the blurbs are so long they are spread onto the next page. The contain three or four different fonts in the same sentence. The sources of the information are pointless mixed with non-technical information about the content...

There is no logic in the way "subillustrations" are combined to illustrations. (Why do they insist on subillustrations at all? Why not make separate illustration?) They are just slapped together any old way. Sometime there are additional frams, sometimes not. Even the numbering convention varies. The order that the subillustration appear in the illustrations is also random.

The book is almost impossible to read. It needs to go back to the publisher and be totally reorganized for readability.

What a pity. The content is actually fascinating.

Dense but worthwhile reading.......2002-02-12

This book is complementary too, but on a more advanced level than Sean Carroll's From DNA To Diversity, which I strongly recommend as a great intro book to evo-devo. Davidson's book is tough going in places, which is why I gave it one star off, but the material is in fairness quite complex. He emphasizes the role of cis-regulatory sequences in genes and the structure of the systems that regulate gene expression in development and evolution in some detail. It becomes clear how minor mutations in the regulatory part of a gene can transform how it is expressed, and why the importance for evolution in mutations in gene expression is clearly much greater than for mutations in the protein coding sequence. His explanation for what is responsible for the incredible homologies in, for example, the pax 6 gene that regulates eye development across phyla is very illuminating. A must read for anybody interested in the molecular basis for development and evolution.

Clear introductory material.......2002-01-21

Genomic Regulatory Systems : development and evolution, by
Eric Davidson

The book is about how the genome actually works in [embryo?] development.
It is a beautiful book with many attractive illustrations.
The book's introductory material and
that of each chapter is clear and interesting.
I enjoyed about 3 valuable hours with this book
before getting lost because of my inadequate background (nonbio major).
He gives 4 reasons why this field has been so exciting over the past decade:
(1) We can now bring regulatory hard wiring at
the DNA nucleotide level into concise functional focus,
(2) We now have the full DNA sequence,
(3) Good minds from evolution and from development have converged,
(4) A lot of confusion in molecular phylogeny has been cleared up.

The book is mostly about bilaterians.
The size of the genome within a clade [some very similar critters]
can vary by a factor of ten whereas
the variation in protein coding (mRNA) is much smaller.
Amniotes [embryo in sac] have 4 hox clusters on 4 chromosomes.
There are remarkable examples of diverse usage of similar genes
of diverse organisms.
I don't think he defines the difference between cis- regulatory elements
[within the chromosome] and trans- [across chromosomes] so I needed
to do some guessing or find some other references.
Next time I take another look at this book,
I'll probably restart back about page 9.
I noticed on page 110 on the morphogenesis of heart parts
that different genes were identified for right and left sides
of the heart -- a matter of interest to me as my apparantly healthy 25 year old son ...died suddenly and unexpectedly
of natural causes,***many tears***, presumably a heart attack.
Perhaps the next decade or two will bring life-saving diagnostics.

Meaty, but decidedly not for beginners.......2001-08-25

On the back of this book's cover we read, "authoritative and easy to read". We may grant the first, but hardly the second. Davidson has worked for a long time at the cutting edge of cell-biological research, and makes it quite clear that our knowledge of the process by which the genes produce the organism they give rise to, is far from complete. Presenting numerous interesting examples, always supported by excellent illustrations, he offers us a fascinating sketch of the way the genetic DNA material in the chromosomes is translated into a developmental process in the organism, from fertilized egg to adult. He carries us far beyond the revolutionary ideas in Darwin's "Origin of Species" from 1859, and also beyond the "Neo-Darwinians", whose ideas on evolution and development dominated most of the 20th century. Not being a biologist, but rather a historian of ideas, predominantly in the field of natural science, I am impressed by the recent advances in biology after Crick's and Watson's discovery of the DNA double spiral as the material basis of the genome. We might say that the Neo-Darwinists, like Darwin himself, regarded the genes as fairly independent "elements", or "atoms" of heredity, each responsible for its own part (or characteristic trait) of the organism. The essentially random variation of those elements provided the raw material for Natural Selection, and thereby Evolution. That was also for a long time my own view. This book has forced me to adopt a new perspective. However, it seems to me that the "elemental" view of the genes has an entrenched position among the general public, who use it in arguments both for and against the Darwinian theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. Davidson insists that the genes are by no means independent elements. They are very much dependent on each other. In particular, a rather limited number of them, which he calls regulatory genes, are especially important in evolution (and of course also in the development from the fertilized egg to the adult). He also stresses very strongly that the characteristics of an organism are not at all the creation of individual genes, but of a considerable number of genes working in concert, to a large extent orchestrated by the regulatory genes. Thus the whole process stands out as much more powerful, but also as extremely complicated. This is as it should be: who would deny that life is a complex phenomenon? To anybody interested in Evolution -- and in Man's place in Nature -- Davidson's book provides much food for thought. But note: unless you have a good grounding in biology, do not expect an "easy read".

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Even the genetic code can evolve

Evolution of the Genetic Code
Syozo Osawa
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

The genetic code was deciphered experimentally around 1966 and for a number of years scientists considered it to be "universal" for all forms of life. In 1981 researchers shocked the scientific community with the discovery that the code differs in mitochondria and certain other organisms - the genetic code was still evolving. This book discusses the distribution and origin of the non-universal codes and examines the possible mechanisms of the code changes, making it essential reading for all those interested in evolutionary genetics.

Customer Reviews:

Even the genetic code can evolve.......2000-11-27

The genetic code, for example, the fact that 'AAA' in the mRNA codes for the addition of lysine amino acid to the growing protein chain, was formerly thought to be frozen since the same code was found in the initial lifeforms explored, and since logically a change in this fundamental code would simultaneously disrupt a large number of the cell's or organelle's proteins. However, continued research found exceptions to the genetic code. For example, in the mitochondria of echinoderms 'AAA' does not code for lysine but instead for the amino acid asparagine. This reference discusses the codon capture theory and how such evolution of the very fundamental genetic code could occur. In the echinoderm mitochondrial 'AAA' example, its ancestral tRNA-lysine had an anticodon that translated both 'AAA' and 'AAG' to lysine, which is correct according to the standard genetic code. Due to selective pressure of having a genome higher in content of G-C nucleotide pairs, the 'AAA' codon gradually was replaced by 'AAG' until the 'AAA' codon disappeared. In the standard genetic code asparagine is coded for by similar codons, 'AAU' and 'AAC'. Years later, as evolution continued, one day 'AAA' was 'recaptured' to be used as another code for the asparagine amino acid. This short, easy to read book shows that the genetic code is not an arbitrary theoretical construct, but is also subject to evolutionary pressures. Readers that are suspicious of phylogenetic representations of the evolution of life, ie, the splitting of eukaryotes, archaebacteria and eubacteria from the common ancestor billions of years ago, and the myriad of branchings since, may also want to review this reference to see how the DNA code in modern organisms can be used to infer branchings that occurred many millions of years ago.

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Horrible Book
BEAUTIFUL DESCRIPTION ABOUT GENES AND GENOMES ! SUPERB

Genetics: Analysis of Genes and Genomes
Daniel L. Hartl , and Elizabeth W. Jones
Manufacturer: Jones & Bartlett Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0763709131

Book Description

Genetics: Analysis of Genes and Genomes represents the most current, comprehensive, and progressive introduction to genetics and genomics at the college level. Keeping pace with the latest developments in genetics, the authors, Hartl and Jones, treat classical, molecular, and population genetics as distinct but unified subjects that illuminate and reinforce each other throughout the textbook. This integrated approach to teaching genetics is a logical progression in an era when the various subdisciplines of genetics are so closely interwoven.

Customer Reviews:

Horrible Book.......2006-05-24

Absolutely horrible book. Chapters are written very poorly. They don't follow a pattern, but if I had to say there were one it would be tell you the big picture first so you have no idea what they're talking about then go into detail about each of the units and then after you've read the whole chapter you find it useful to reread the beginning again because you now know what the authors are talking about. Inconsistent use of vocabulary as well, they talk in colloquial terms and then all of the sudden use the word 'nascent' for instance, then you never see the word again. Nothing wrong with such things but the lack of consistency in the book makes it extremely poor in my opinion. Very poorly written, the information is there but organization is pathetic

BEAUTIFUL DESCRIPTION ABOUT GENES AND GENOMES ! SUPERB.......2004-10-23

GOOD PICTURE REPRESENTATION WITH EXCELLENT NOTES AND LOTS OF EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT GENE AND GENOMES . PROBLEMS HAVE SOME ERRORS ITS LITTLE CONFUSING BUT OVERALL A FABALOUS TEXT BOOK OF GENETICS. GOOD FOR STANDARD EXAM PREPARATIONS AND ALSO FOR UNDERGRAD/GRAD STUDENTS . ALL THE BEST CHECK FOR FOR MINNOR ERRORS IN THE TEXT .... TAKE THE BEST OUT OF IT .....

The Shattered Self: The End of Natural Evolution

Average customer rating:

Yawn
interesting ideas from the imagination of a mathematician
Way too speculative; Interesting topics but poorly executed.
The end of natural evolution is here. . .
A proud man that needs to be "shattered" himself

The Shattered Self: The End of Natural Evolution
Pierre Baldi
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Biotechnology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

Throughout history, we have selected and manipulated the genomes of plants, animals, and even ourselves. Until now, however, such control could be exerted only at the level of the entire organism. Scientific and technological advances now allow us to manipulate genomes directly at the level of single genes and their constituents, with a speed and precision that far exceed what natural evolution has been able to achieve over the past 3.5 billion years. These advances open new possibilities for medicine, biotechnology, and society as a whole. We already have in vitro fertilization and animal cloning; in the future human cloning and the exploitation of embryonic stem cells, among other capabilities, may be routine. At the same time, we are developing machines that will surpass the human brain in raw computing power and building an interconnected world of information-processing devices that makes science fiction pale in comparison. In this book Baldi explores what it is about these phenomena that makes us so uneasy--the shattering of the human self as we know it.

Through evolution our brains have been wired to provide us with an inner sense of self, a feeling that each of us is a unique individual delimited by precise boundaries. We have also been wired to reproduce ourselves in a certain way. Baldi argues that this self-centered view of the world is scientifically wrong. Its past success lies in its being an adequate model during our evolutionary bootstrapping: a world without molecular biotechnology, human cloning, and the Internet. Eventually we must come to terms with the fact that genomes, computations, and mind are fluid, continuous entities, in both space and time. The boundary between the self and the world has begun to blur and ultimately may evaporate entirely. Baldi offers not predictions but an open-eyed exploration of our current state of knowledge and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Customer Reviews:

Yawn.......2004-06-30

Most of what this books says is reasonable, but not much seemed surprising, and it is cautious enough that I'm fairly certain that the changes it discusses will seem fairly minor 20 or 30 years from now.
For instance, he wonders whether the effects of growing up with 20, 50, or 1000 clones will be qualitatively different from the effects of twins growing up together. But when discussing the effects of direct interfaces between neurons and silicon, he stops short of wondering whether that will produce people with dramatically enhanced intelligence. Nor does he seem to think that machine intelligence will have dramatic effects, at least in this century.
He claims to believe that technological growth tends to follow exponential curves, but the magnitude of the changes he foresees suggests he tends to expect technological progress to be closer to linear.

interesting ideas from the imagination of a mathematician.......2004-04-07

Baldi's ideas are challenging, but this book is far too much science-fiction, far too little science.

Applying math and cs to some gene research (Baldi's research at UCI) does not qualify him to make some of his ridiculous claims on the progress and future of natural science.

Way too speculative; Interesting topics but poorly executed........2003-01-21

This book is essentially an exercise in unchecked speculation - and don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with looking ahead and attempting to see where we, as a species and as a society, are heading, it's just that this book is a very poorly executed attempt to do so. The author repeatedly makes statements to the effect of "while we can't do that yet, we should be able to in the next fifty years." For some of these statements, he explains why; for many, however, he does not - leaving these statements without any basis in fact whatsoever. The issues he considers - cloning, brain-machine interfaces, etc. - are extremely timley and important to humanity, it's just that he doesn't do a good job exploring them thoroughly or expressing himself clearly (and it's not just that I'm a layman and it's too technical - to the contrary, the book is too simplistic in many areas). The author also seems to get too caught up in the "nature vs. nurture" debate, and posits bizarre hypotheticals such as attempting to recreate the environment of a cloned child's life exactly by also cloning their parents, siblings, and friends, building an exact replica of the child's childhood home, etc., in an attempt to make sure that the "nurture" side of the equation is balanced with the "nature" side. There are better books out there if you are interested in these topics. Check out "The Age of Spiritual Machines" by Ray Kurzweil, or "Our Posthuman Future" by Francis Fukuyama.

The end of natural evolution is here. . ........2002-07-13

This wonderful book is a great companion to The Age of Spiritual Machines and in many respects, updates some of the science of that volume. But of interest to me is the discussion of all the competing moral values that we will have to face as we move forward with genetic manipulation of our genetic material and that of other animals and plants.

Baldi has achieved his goal of making the book very readable for the lay person while compiling additional details in the appendices for those a bit more interested delving into the details. His thoughts are clear and articulate as he lays out the pros and cons of several competing moral values we face now and those we might face in the future.

Baldi does not shy away from the long controversial or taboo subjects. His comments on sex are cogent and up to date. For example, he states; "Sexual and reproductive issues have long affected our societies in ways that created tensions between 5the sexes and were not always favorable to women. After all, even today in many countries men earn higher salaries than women for the same jobs. This is hard to justify from first principles in democratic societies, which are supposed to be founded on equality among humans." He then goes on to explain how cloning technology will further strain the relationship as the sexual act itself becomes unnecessary for evolution or preservation of genetic material.

We are also warned that, "In this new reality [biotechnologies and the internet] of more or less continuous genotypes and phenotypes, all kinds of new creatures are beginning to pop up at a rapid pace, forcing us to revise our concepts, our laws, and our sense of whatever makes us human." This book should be on the must read list for any person interested in the establishment of ethical processes and models that allow us to choose between competing moral values.

A proud man that needs to be "shattered" himself.......2002-02-27

(1) Baldi does not know the history of science too well.
(2) Baldi used derogatory terms against the Bible and religions, which would have been most offensive to great Chrisitian scientists such as James Clark Maxwell, Issace Newton, Michael Faraday, Lord Kelvin, Hertz, etc. (the list goes on and on...)
(3) Baldi, as a trained mathematician, does not know the subject of physics or chemistry too well either. He claims that almost all scientists in these traditional disciples know everything about the laws of nature already. Baldi stated that only computer science and biology are the areas that we human beings do not yet know well, which is another biased statement as we physicists could not even understand the origin of the gravitational force or the Big Bang yet.

Book Description

Building on a range of disciplines – from biology and anthropology to philosophy and linguistics – this book draws on the expertise of leading names in the study of organic, mental and cultural codes brought together by the emerging discipline of biosemiotics.

The book’s 18 chapters present a range of experimental evidence which suggests that the genetic code was only the first in a long series of organic codes, and that it has been the appearance of new codes – organic, mental and cultural – that paved the way for the major transitions in the history of life.

While the existence of many organic codes has been proposed since the 1980s, this volume represents the first multi-authored attempt to deal with the range of codes relevant to life, and to reveal the ubiquitous role of coding mechanisms in both organic and mental evolution. This creates the conditions for a synthesis of biology and linguistics that finally overcomes the old divide between nature and culture.

The book will appeal to all those interested in the origins and evolution of life, including biologists (from molecular and cellular biologists to evolutionary and developmental biologists), ecologists, anthropologists, psychologists, philosophers of science, linguists, and researchers interested in the history of science, the origins of life, artificial life and intelligence, and information theory and communication technology.

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