Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press has recently released a new biography,
Francis Crick: Hunter of Life's Secrets. It is the first full-length
intellectual biography of Francis Crick, a greatly admired and
influential scientist who co-discovered the structure of DNA and then
followed up this discovery with important contributions that shaped the
foundations of molecular biology. He later worked in the field of
neuroscience, studying vision and the biological basis of consciousness.
This book is an in-depth exploration of Crick's passion for the
discovery and understanding of the molecules that orchestrate the
essential processes of life.

Francis Crick: Hunter of Life's Secrets is written by Robert Olby, a
Research Professor in the History and Philosophy of Science Department
at the University of Pittsburgh and one of molecular biology's foremost
scholars. Before his death in 2004, Crick invited Olby to write about
his life and gave Olby full access to his archives, family, and friends.

"I have immersed myself in Crick's personal papers, spoken with many of
his friends, and sought to weave together the insights and vignettes
thus won with my account of his life as scientist," wrote Olby in the
book's preface. "This, then, is an attempt to shape a dynamic picture of
the remarkable evolution of Dr. Crick's career and his role in the
shaping of the new foundations for biology."

In 21 chapters, this engrossing biography reveals how, from somewhat
unpromising beginnings, Crick became a vital contributor to a remarkably
creative period in science. Olby chronicles Crick's life from his early
studies in biophysics, to the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953
and his critical role in deciphering the genetic code, to his later work
in neuroscience. In particular, Olby's detailed exploration of Crick's
scientific life to the point of the famous 1953 discovery provides a
clear demonstration of how chance does indeed favor the prepared mind.

The book contains quotes from personal papers and a gallery of family
photographs. It also includes a timeline to help readers track
significant events during the course of the 88-year span covered in the
book, as well as a biographical index and a full subject index. This
fascinating biography will be of interest to readers with a general
interest in science, as well as to professional scientists, science
historians, and students.

Olby's work on the book was supported by the National Science Foundation
and an Archives Fellowship award from Churchill College, Cambridge. His
previous works include The Origins of Mendelism (1966) and The Path to
the Double Helix: The Discovery of DNA (1994).

Francis Crick: Hunter of Life Secrets (2009; ISBN 978-087969798-3) is
published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. For more information
and a complete table of contents, see
http://www.cshlpress.com/link/crick.htm

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