The Genetic Strand: Exploring a Family History Through DNA
by Ball, Edward
- Used
- Very Good
- Paperback
- Condition
- Very Good/No Jacket as Issued
- ISBN 10
- 0743266587
- ISBN 13
- 9780743266581
- Seller
-
La Porte, Texas, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Synopsis
The Genetic Strand is the story of a writer's investigation, using DNA science, into the tale of his family's origins. National Book Award winner Edward Ball has turned his probing gaze on the microcosm of the human genome, and not just any human genome -- that of his slave-holding ancestors. What is the legacy of such a family history, and can DNA say something about it? In 2000, after a decade in New York City, Ball bought a house in Charleston, South Carolina, home to his father's family for generations, and furnished it with heirloom pieces from his relatives. In one old desk he was startled to discover a secret drawer, sealed perhaps since the Civil War, in which someone had hidden a trove of family hair, with each lock of hair labeled and dated. The strange find propelled him to investigate: what might DNA science reveal about the people -- Ball's family members, long dead -- to whom the hair had belonged? Did the hair come from white relatives, as family tradition insisted? How can genetic tests explain personal identity? Part crime-scene investigation, part genealogical romp, The Genetic Strand is a personal odyssey into DNA and family history. The story takes the reader into forensics labs where technicians screen remains, using genetics breakthroughs like DNA fingerprinting, and into rooms where fathers nervously await paternity test results. It also summons the writerÂďs entertaining and idiosyncratic family, such as BallÂďs antebellum predecessor, Aunt Betsy, who published nutty books on good Southern society; Kate Fuller, the enigmatic ancestor who may have introduced African genes into the Ball family pool; and the authorÂďs first cousin Catherine, very much alive, who donates a cheek swab from a mouth more attuned to sweet iced tea than DNA sampling. Writing gracefully but pacing his story like an old-fashioned whodunit, Edward Ball tracks genes shared across generations, adding suspense and personal meaning to what the scientists and Nobel laureates tell us. A beguiling DNA tale, The Genetic Strand reaches toward a new form of writing the genetic memoir.
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Seller
- Bookmarc's (US)
- Seller's Inventory #
- EC28442BB
- Title
- The Genetic Strand: Exploring a Family History Through DNA
- Author
- Ball, Edward
- Format/Binding
- Paperback
- Book Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket as Issued
- ISBN 10
- 0743266587
- ISBN 13
- 9780743266581
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 2007
- Keywords
- BIOGRAPHY MEMOIRS AMERICAN HISTORY GENETICS EVOLUTION SCIENCE ADVANCE UNCORRECTED READERS' PROOF ARC
- Bookseller catalogs
- Biography / Memoirs; Science / Evolution;
- Size
- 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall
Terms of Sale
Bookmarc's
Bookmarc's has a 100% money back guarantee on books returned within 30 days of the date they are mailed to you and it is not as described.
NOTE: For International Orders (Any orders outside of the United States)
We regret that we are no longer able to cover the shipping costs for any international orders that are lost or damaged in transit. We are able to provide refunds for the book only.
Our shipping provider using United States Postal Service was recently acquired by Stamps.com which allows us to continue to purchase insurance on the book but not on the postage
About the Seller
Bookmarc's
About Bookmarc's
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Reading Copy
- Indicates a book that is perfectly serviceable for reading. It may have a defect or damage. As such, reading copy is not a...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Shelf Wear
- Shelf wear (shelfwear) describes damage caused over time to a book by placing and removing a book from a shelf. This damage is...
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...