Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA

Brenda Maddox

Why I looked at this book

Rosalind Franklin played an important part in the discovery of DNA, but there has been much argument about the recognition she deserves. Should it be Watson, Crick and Franklin? Was she denied recognition because she was a woman? Or was it more that in a fast-moving competitive world, someone else ended up winners? I'm hoping that this book will answer some of these questions.

First impressions

As is common with biographies, much of the sample looks at Rosalind's ancestors (who appear to go back to King David in the bible). But there is a prologue, introducing the reader to Rosalind's story and the book does get on to her childhood. It seems very readable, and I'm eager to continue reading.