Avoid Boring People: Lessons from a Life in Science

"Avoid Boring People: Lessons From a Life in Science," by James D. Watson, Alfred A. Knopf, NY 2007. ISBN-978-0-375-41284-4, HC 327 pages, plus 13 pgs. Cast of Characters and a brief Foreword & Preface, 74 B & W photographs, 9 1/2" x 6 1/2".Dr. James Dewey Watson, 1962 Nobelist with F. Crick and M. Wilkins for discovery of the Double Helix DNA structure, is now an octogenarian who's authored eight widely-read and acclaimed books whose prose goes from A to Z & at 1 to 60 mph in contemplation's of sophisticated molecular biology using scientific jargon, OR as one that mirrors, chronologically, an attentive preoccupation in disclosing personal introspective revelations of one's musings on people and events that he, seemingly, evaluates critically and unceasingly in acute terms of being good, bad or even ugly. His cast of formidable characters includes more than 88 notables, most world-renowned scientists or ranking scholars, but no less importantly emphsized are his characterizations of various teaching and research centers or facilities, living quarters or residences in which he lived, taught, visited or studied at.This Chronicle is thoughtfully divided into 15 chapters, each conclude with enumeration of a half-dozen learned manners or lessons beginning in childhood until the present time terminating with the year 2006 resignation of Harvard's 27th president, Larry Summers, in favor of Drew Gilpin Faust. The book is unsettling, revealing some censuring and condemnations emanating from his intensely preoccupied quest for scientific discoveries at expense of acquiring and thus a void in balance of societal skills, being virtually incapable, thereby, of "small talk" and appreciably introverted and ego-centric, but none-the-less an acclaimed research biologist of first magnitude.His personal evaluation of Larry Summers's flaws (Harvard's youngest to matriculate) includes a conjecture of possessing Asperger's syndrome variant and speculating a 5 to 10 point IQ drop, an age-adjustment, in wunderkind Summers' intellect, musing that being genetically based Summers should find some sympathy from the furor triggered by his 'women-and science' firestorm that preceded his resignation and must be viewed as 'divinatory' in light of the 'race-IQ-diversity' fury Watson himself precipitated while touring the UK in October 2007 touting this book whose title, is itself, enigmatic - readable either as 'do not bore people' or 'avoid people who may bore you'.It is comforting to read and know Dr. Watson is happily married to Liz (Lewis), a Columbia University graduate, and that they have two sons to keep them busy; Watson knows full-well that avant garde research is for the young & restless so he ought bask in glories past.The book is an important read, for despite the furor which led to Watson's step down as Chancellor of CSHL, he is one of our important scientists who was well aware of treacheries in inciting anger when political correctness must take precedence over anything else, but has at certain ages and/or for diverse reasons perhaps, some lessons or manners do get lost and one becomes vulnerable and thusly must either seek or be provided protection by a murder of crows, publicists or peers or be hung out to wither as forgiveness is not always on the table. Unfortunately, there is not enough money in the world to conduct any further testing of IQ betwist racial groups, representing perhaps that unique or singular study which may not be conducted because the non-sicentists, i.e. society, will not license it.This reviewer, a Harvard graduate, has heard Watson speak, has read his many books and wishes him success with his books and many years to fully indulge in his family life, including catching up with that small talk, something he denied himself in the past. He, like McArthur, is/was a good soldier but not one who will fade away.

My husband had been wanting this. He really likes it and has been quoting from it.

I picked up this book after reading the positive review in the journal Science. It has a point of view of life as a scientist that is rare to hear so clearly, reduced to its human terms, anywhere else. In a way, it is a sad story, where his lifestyle is so devoid of family life until the age of about 45, and a fulfilling story, where world-class problems are tackled and solved.The commentary on university structure and politics remains relevant today, and the homilies summarized at the end of each chapter are pithy and accurate, although a bit annoyingly pedantic, as is the wont of Harvard profs (excepting my seismologist friends, of course).The references to women were confusing, at best. There are constant references to women to whom he is attracted, with the uniform theme that he chased them and was rejected. Not exactly the role women in science are hoping for, and I doubt the storyline was so simple in reality.On the subject of his research, the author tried to make the genetics accessible, but he mostly confused me through a combination of arcane detail and lack of interest. I generally wound up skimming the paragraphs about races to research results, but which are less than a quarter of the narrative, and not essential to the tale.So I'd summarize the book as somewhat uneven - overall a very good and unique read. The closest comparison for me is Feynman's books. "Boring" is less urbane and amusing but a deeper picture into the reality of a very successful scientist.

Double Helix by James Watson is one of my most loved books about doing science, so I anticipated a very interesting reading about Watson's life from childhood until leaving Harvard in the 70's. But this memoir is a too big collection of people, places and facts in Watson's life to make an interesting reading about any of them. It all goes "I met this one, and then I worked with that one", and so on, and so on. Don't expect any deep insights into personalities of Jim's famous grad students, friends, scientific advisors or collaborators - the space for that in this book is taken by many names and events you wouldn't remember. Watson's feelings about the events in the books are also scarce - death of his mother, for example, has the same space in the book as some absolutely non-important trip to the sea. There is also - the biggest disappointment - too little space for a clear explanation of science done by his lab and other people, so for a non-biologist the importance of many successes mentioned in the book would remain obscure.Nevertheless this book was enjoyable to read, and as a biologist I was very thrilled to find here so many of legendary molecular biologists and cancer researchers, and discover some interesting details about discoveries in phage biology, DNA structure, protein synthesis and tumor virology.So in the end I would recommend this book only to biologists or people with a deep interest in our science.

It record almost the whole life of James Watson, the most exciting person with distinctive characters and enjoyable opinions. It is really good experience to take his view of scientific and personal achievements. It is really a lot of fun to read this book. For example, his little tips even include that you may gain weight after you won Nobel Price because some many people want to invite you for dinner. I love this book!

I read this when it came out, and even years later, I love thinking about little stories in it. Of course, the Double Helix is vastly more important, but if you're thinking about a life in academic research, this book is well worth reading and thinking about.

Love the lessons. Lessons can be very specific and may not be relatable to non-science or academic minded individuals.

Welcome to the world of academe and biology research! Research for the good of mankind? Forget it! These young men and women are there to compete, and to fulfil personal ambition. But perhaps that's the only way for great discoveries to be made, who knows?This is a kind of a biography of a kind of nerd, a very naïve one. One who says exactly what he thinks about individuals in this and other books he writes, never mind who's going to be offended in the process, even his co-discoverer of the double helix, Francis Crick.Someone who is clearly attracted by a `pretty face', daydreams about each one that he meets, and is then disappointed to find she has a boyfriend. Shows himself to be very un-PC in the process, in those PC-conscious 1960s and 1970s, even when it comes to recommending or otherwise a woman for a job. He would clearly would love to find himself a girlfriend, but you can just see what they all think, `He's a fun bloke as a friend, but date him? No way!'Does he get a girl? Read this fascinating book to find out. And don't worry about the incomprehensible science, just skip those paragraphs!

L'autore è un arrogante egocentrico, nonostante la sua sia stata una delle scoperte più importanti della biologia, e questo è indiscusso. In questo libro da consigli agli scienziati ed aspiranti tali su come comportarsi nella vita, specialmente all'inizio della loro carriera scientifica, portando esempi personali.Nonostante non abbia una grandissima stima per l'autore riconosco che questo libro dovrebbe essere letto da tutti coloro che intraprendono studi scientifici prima di iniziare il lavoro di lauera e ancora una volta prima di scegliere un posto di dottorato!

This is the 3rd autobiographical book of Jim Watson. The book follows up on the events described in Genes, girls and Gamow, mostly about author's engagement at Cold Spring Harbor Lab. The book is again full of girls. Every chapter ends with a set of take home messages for the reader (presumably junior scientist), one of which is "avoid boring people". These are lessons from Watson's life, many of which are applicable nowdays. Highly recommended!

The book is a detailed account of the authors academic life. At the end of each chapter are pieces of advice for a life in science which I quite liked. Anyone pursuing or thinking or pursuing a career in science should have a read of his advice. Apart from that the book was a little dull in my opinion.

Its ok, neat condition and received in good condition.