The Gene

In "The Gene: An Intimate History," Pulitzer Prize-winning author Siddhartha Mukherjee weaves together science, history, and personal narrative to explore the intricate history of genetics and its profound impact on human identity, fate, and choices. This #1 New York Times bestseller, which served as the basis for a PBS documentary by Ken Burns, chronicles centuries of groundbreaking research, from ancient philosophers to modern-day innovators who mapped the human genome. Through emotional stories—including reflections on his own family's struggles with mental illness—Mukherjee illustrates the transformative power of genetic understanding and its implications for the future.