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Origins of Life
Reviews (Ediled by A. R. Byownlie) ORIGINS O F LIFE
Introduction to Molecular Biology G. H. Haggis (Ed.) (London, Longmans, Green & Co. Ltd., 1964, 401 pp., 401-) Molecular Biology has been defined as being predominantly three dimensional and structural, searching beneath the large scale manifestation of classical biology for the corresponding molecular plan. The value of a book on such a topic to the forensic scientist is not immediately evident. Yet an understanding of molecular biology is probably essential for all our work, and it makes fascinating reading. Although five writers contribute to its twelve chapters the work is divided naturally into two sections. Initially a picture is built up of the cell and its metabolic activity a t molecular level. Information is obtained from ordinary light microscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and other physico-chemical methods. The second half of the book concerns itself with the mechanisms of inheritance including the chemistry of nucleic acids, the chromosomes and genes, concluding with chapters on the haemoglobins and protein synthesis. The whole is rounded off with a number of explanatory appendices and a most comprehensive bibliography. A work of this type illustrates the breakdown of the natural barriers that exist between the sciences of physics, chemistry, biology and genetics. All these subjects are allied in providing the information that leads to an understanding of the basic unit of life. B. R. J. Morgan
T H E MARTYRED PRESIDENT
The Official Warren Commission Report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. (New York, Doubleday, 1964, 888 Pp., 251-) On the premature death of John F. Kennedy a Special Commission was appointed to investigate and report upon the circumstances of the assassination "to the President, to the American people, and to the world". This lengthy book-it runs to 888 pages--contains all the evidence gathered, the factual findings of the Commission and the conclusions drawn by it. These include the Commission's unanimously expressed conviction (1)That Oswald shot the President, (2) that he was himself murdered by Jack Ruby and (3) that neither , killing was, according to the evidence, part of any conspiracy, domestic o r ' foreign; and the Commissions' clear criticisms of the F.B.I., Secret Service and , local Law enforcement organisations for a fatal and tragic failure in security ' arrangements. Historians of a later generation will thrive on the wealth of detail which overwhelms the contemporary reader. I The use made of the Zapruder film and the contents of the appendix dealing, with expert testimony are of special interest. W. Bryden 86
Introduction to Molecular Biology G. H. Haggis (Ed.) (London, Longmans, Green & Co. Ltd., 1964, 401 pp., 401-) Molecular Biology has been defined as being predominantly three dimensional and structural, searching beneath the large scale manifestation of classical biology for the corresponding molecular plan. The value of a book on such a topic to the forensic scientist is not immediately evident. Yet an understanding of molecular biology is probably essential for all our work, and it makes fascinating reading. Although five writers contribute to its twelve chapters the work is divided naturally into two sections. Initially a picture is built up of the cell and its metabolic activity a t molecular level. Information is obtained from ordinary light microscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and other physico-chemical methods. The second half of the book concerns itself with the mechanisms of inheritance including the chemistry of nucleic acids, the chromosomes and genes, concluding with chapters on the haemoglobins and protein synthesis. The whole is rounded off with a number of explanatory appendices and a most comprehensive bibliography. A work of this type illustrates the breakdown of the natural barriers that exist between the sciences of physics, chemistry, biology and genetics. All these subjects are allied in providing the information that leads to an understanding of the basic unit of life. B. R. J. Morgan
T H E MARTYRED PRESIDENT
The Official Warren Commission Report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. (New York, Doubleday, 1964, 888 Pp., 251-) On the premature death of John F. Kennedy a Special Commission was appointed to investigate and report upon the circumstances of the assassination "to the President, to the American people, and to the world". This lengthy book-it runs to 888 pages--contains all the evidence gathered, the factual findings of the Commission and the conclusions drawn by it. These include the Commission's unanimously expressed conviction (1)That Oswald shot the President, (2) that he was himself murdered by Jack Ruby and (3) that neither , killing was, according to the evidence, part of any conspiracy, domestic o r ' foreign; and the Commissions' clear criticisms of the F.B.I., Secret Service and , local Law enforcement organisations for a fatal and tragic failure in security ' arrangements. Historians of a later generation will thrive on the wealth of detail which overwhelms the contemporary reader. I The use made of the Zapruder film and the contents of the appendix dealing, with expert testimony are of special interest. W. Bryden 86