I am having a hard time plowing through this one. It isn't the science, which is no more in depth than high school biology level. It is just that he goes on and on. I want to shout, "Get to the point!"
Well, it is good enough that I will finish it. I'm not as interested in what he might have to say about Bigfoot, or how many wolves dogs came from, but I might take a look at those books some day.
This one is about the Y chromosome. I would say the first three books I read by this author are better than this one, all about how modern DNA studies inform our understanding of how people moved across the earth in the distant past.
My library group choice this month I checked out, read two pages, and decided it was not for me. Fiction about the most divisive and depressing issue in the country did not appeal to me, nor did I trust my mouth to discuss the subject politely. I checked it in today, visited with the librarian, and checked out the next one.
Friday, March 15, 2019
Friday, March 1, 2019
8, 9, and 10. Two more about DNA, and a Murder Mystery
I read DNA USA and before that I forgot to record The Seven Daughters of Eve, both by Bryan Sykes. It doesn't matter much, but I read them out of order, and he has another one about Y-DNA out there, too, something about Adam.
This is science, but you wouldn't have to be a scientist to follow it if you have any interest in DNA. I enjoyed reading all three, and may look for the other one. These are nonfiction books where the reader gets to know the author in between the lines, more so in the last one. Enough about the trophy wife, though.
In the USA book, one very interesting thing he just mentions and then moves on is the "Cherokee Paradox" in which Native American / Asian ancestry does not show up on their DNA tests. I have lots of questions about that and would like to know more.
He falls all over himself saying he respects Native Americans' traditional beliefs where they come in conflict with science. I know more European Americans who think the world hasn't been around very long, and that life on Earth hasn't changed much, and they would be opposed to letting anyone end a pregnancy even if DNA tells the parents it would result in a short and painful life, but he doesn't say anything about their beliefs. They have been as outspoken against science as the Native Americans. Don't get me wrong, I say respect the dead, and only criminals should have their DNA used without their consent, but I sure would like to know more about that Cherokee DNA.
Then the murder mystery...
Dressed for Death, by Donna Leon, was also my third by that author. I like this series because it is so well written, the detective is likeable, and the setting is exotic Venice. She may be cynical about some of the same things I am. The wealthy are often corrupt, the bureaucrats cater to the powerful, somebody might have a hand in charities' funds, that sort of thing.
I was reading the Louise Penny series, but stalled out about three from the most recent. I like her books for many of the same reasons and really want to go to Quebec after reading them. Venice does not have the same pull to me, I'll be content with reading fiction set there. There is a limit to what fraction of my reading needs to be murder mysteries. With spring coming, there is a limit to how much time I want to spend reading, too. On a cold day like this one, it is lovely to be able to stay in and read.
This is science, but you wouldn't have to be a scientist to follow it if you have any interest in DNA. I enjoyed reading all three, and may look for the other one. These are nonfiction books where the reader gets to know the author in between the lines, more so in the last one. Enough about the trophy wife, though.
In the USA book, one very interesting thing he just mentions and then moves on is the "Cherokee Paradox" in which Native American / Asian ancestry does not show up on their DNA tests. I have lots of questions about that and would like to know more.
He falls all over himself saying he respects Native Americans' traditional beliefs where they come in conflict with science. I know more European Americans who think the world hasn't been around very long, and that life on Earth hasn't changed much, and they would be opposed to letting anyone end a pregnancy even if DNA tells the parents it would result in a short and painful life, but he doesn't say anything about their beliefs. They have been as outspoken against science as the Native Americans. Don't get me wrong, I say respect the dead, and only criminals should have their DNA used without their consent, but I sure would like to know more about that Cherokee DNA.
Then the murder mystery...
Dressed for Death, by Donna Leon, was also my third by that author. I like this series because it is so well written, the detective is likeable, and the setting is exotic Venice. She may be cynical about some of the same things I am. The wealthy are often corrupt, the bureaucrats cater to the powerful, somebody might have a hand in charities' funds, that sort of thing.
I was reading the Louise Penny series, but stalled out about three from the most recent. I like her books for many of the same reasons and really want to go to Quebec after reading them. Venice does not have the same pull to me, I'll be content with reading fiction set there. There is a limit to what fraction of my reading needs to be murder mysteries. With spring coming, there is a limit to how much time I want to spend reading, too. On a cold day like this one, it is lovely to be able to stay in and read.
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