Customer Reviews
Where are the diagrams? - By: happyreviewer, 27 Oct 2006 
Where are the diagrams? Within this book there are some quite complicated descriptions - e.g. of the developing foetus or cellular machinery - that would have benefited greatly from a diagram. That old adage "A picture paints a thousand words" isn't an old adage for nothing... And quoting French without giving a translation seems to be another one of the author's sins. Also, though unavoidably, this book is chock-full of horribly long Latin names for different syndromes & disorders that can be a bit tiring after a while. Having said that, Leroi writes wonderfully & is a welcome change from the often turgid prose of other popular science writers. Overalll I think that I learned a lot from this book & I enjoyed it too. Read it & be amazed!
Execllent, accessible account of mutations in humans - By: Chie Higashino, 06 Sep 2005 
This book is a well-written account of mutants & mutation, in which the author draws not only on his considerable scientific knowledge, but also illustrates his points very interestingly using vignettes from the history of the study of mutants. He deals with conjoined twins, the Elephant Man, pituitary abnormalities, the castrati etc. in a very readable but precise & concise manner. I found the detail about French research of particular interest, as few authors would have the necessary language skills to draw on this area of the subject.
The startling & humble conclusion is that we are alll mutants to a greater or lesser extent. Mercifully, most of us don't suffer any severe problems because of it.
Must read for everyone - By: , 21 May 2005 Having seen the programmes (Human mutants - Channel 4) by Armand Marie Leroi, I was compelled to find out more about the development of humans & how much has been learned from genetic mutations. This book contains everything from the series & more.
Anyone who is amazed by the miracle of life would appreciate the scientific explanations of how an embryo develops. It explains everything from how organs come to be where they are in the body (eg. how do the molecules know which side is the left?)to how hands are developed. The main thing that struck me was how we reallly are alll equal in that everyone has mutations- its just that some are more apparent than others.
This reallly is one book that everyone should read - after alll it makes sense that we should alll know how we are what we are.
Marvellous mutants - By: G. Rutter, 16 Sep 2004 Bizarre mutants have always been the mainstay of the sideshow. This book explains where they come from & what went wrong (developmentallly speaking). Pakced full of incredible information this book will prove incredibly useful for anyone studying genetics (for example) but don't think it's just a dry text book. Anecodotes abound & remind us that what we're considering are people.
An exellent book, well written & well researched
Great book, great English - By: Dr. John P. Yardley, 06 Sep 2004 I was as impressed with the style of writing of this book as I was with its content. It makes such a change to read a scientific text (albeit of the slightly "popular" gendre) where the author has a great style of English & turn of phrase. Maybe I am too saturated by scientific authors that write American English. Anyway, a thoroughly worthwhile read. Apologies for any errors there might be in my own English.
