Review of The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson, who frequently writes about male scientists and business leaders, devotes an entire biography to female scientist and Nobel prize winner, Jennifer Doudna.  Though Isaacson has often written about great men, e.g., Leonardo Da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, and Steve Jobs, he dramatically changes course in 2021. 

With the publication of Code Breaker, Isaacson focuses, for the first time, on a female innovator and businesswoman, Jennifer Doudna, the co-winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2020.

Isaacson's portrait of Doudna, who co-created CRISPR is balanced and nuanced. Isaacson describes the career difficulties she faced, her competitive drive, and judiciously considers the claims of her detractors. 

According to Isaacson, there have been three revolutionary discoveries--the discovery of the atom, the bit, and the gene--that were watershed discoveries. 

The discovery of the atom in the beginning of the twentieth century led to many inventions, including the atomic bomb. The digital age ensued from the discovery that a "bit" that could encode information. Lastly, the discovery of the gene led to the knowledge of the genetic code. 

Isaacson captures details about her early life that prefigures her future success. He explains that Doudna became inspired to study science not only because she explored Hawaii's wildlife but also because of a seminal work, The Double Helix by Francis Crick. Doudna's father left the book on his daughter's bed when she was a pre-teen because he knew it would fascinate her. 

Ignoring a school counselor's misgivings, Doudna majored in chemistry at Pomona College. From there, Isaacson takes readers on Doudna's intellectual journey--her early successes and triumphs--while also revealing her competitive spirit. 

Doudna's first husband did not share her drive and that ultimately led to their breakup. Her second husband shared her enthusiasm for RNA--a molecule that would become her primary focus. While other scientists were content to read the genetic code, Doudna wanted to edit it using RNA. 

To be fair, Isaacson has long recognized the accomplishments of women. His book, The Innovators, for instance, warmly commends Ava Lovelace and Grace Hopper. Code Breaker is, however, the first time Isaacson focuses exclusively on a female innovator.   

The Gift of Animals by Alison Hawthorne Deming

 

Alison Hawthorne Deming (Science and Other Poems) has compiled a collection of 90 poems that rings alarm bells, reminding readers that the world is losing animals and their gifts at a horrifying rate. The poems are written by a wide range of contributors—some well-known, some relatively new. Some writers based their work on oral traditions. 

 

With topics that range from praise to the future of animals to companionship, the poets consider the grandeur of animal life, the grief of impending loss, and hope for future generations. 

 

Some of the animals that are in peril are seen as protectors; in “Tecolote,” Jose Hernandez Diaz expresses his thanks for owls, the “protector(s) of the moon and sky.” While, arguing against the idea that snakes are sinister and sly, Denise Levertov writes, “Come into animal presence. / No man is so guileless as / the serpent.” 

 

In nature, there are no hard lines, and Nickole Brown’s “A Prayer To Talk to Animals” sums this up beautifully, “Am I not an animal / too?” 

 

A thought-provoking collection of poetic gems that will inspire and remind readers of the importance of connecting with the natural world.

https://medium.com/@chantal.walvoord

Jane's Jam: Inspiration to Create Your Super Awesome Life by Jane Enright

 

Jane's Jam is a blueprint to navigate personal and professional setbacks, something we all need during these turbulent times. The author’s first book, Butter Side Up, explored hardships Enright faced during her worst year, but her latest focuses on the framework she developed to bounce back from her struggles. 

She calls her approach, the OMG playbook, which encourages “outside in” thinking and taking steps to practice mindfulness and gratitude. She believes difficulties, when viewed through the right lens, can become opportunities. 

 

Enright explains this process in 12 chapters and a summary. The “Go Routes” are activities she provides to make this easy to incorporate into daily living. She also includes 52 inspirational quotes from her previous book and additional resources, and she references motivational writers and studies that back her claims. 

 

Numerous examples of sports figures, such as Terry Fox and others who have transformed their lives, are an inspiring read. Some may even want to become head coach of their own lives using Enright’s strategy.