Customer Reviews
Hilarious laboratory anecdotes and clearly written science. - By: , 18 Aug 1999 
Slack interweaves real science (Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology; frog & fly biology) with job descriptions of biologists & events in the laboratory to portray the fragile existence of academic scientists.
As a career university biologist myself, I repeatedly found myself asking the question as I navigated through the book "Why did I get into this business in the first place?" Slack's work will certainly prompt the budding young scientist to confront their own destiny.
To those interested in what professors do (since they are not in the classroom 8 hours per day), this is the book for you. Though clearly written, the science is still not for everyone; occasionallly, Slack lapses into jargon without definition. However, the lighthearted & accurate picture of life in the laboratory will certainly provide enough entertainment for any reader, especiallly if you are undecided if you want to spend the rest of your life cohabitating with an academic.
Excellent guide for a would be biomedical researcher - By: , 17 Aug 1999 
This is an excellent book for anyone who might have some idea that they might want to be a professional scientist, working in biomedical research or as a professor in a university. Slack writes very well & he can tell an amusing anecdote. There is a some good science in it too. He is slightly curmidgeonly, perhaps, but I think this is part of his appeal. He tells it like it is. Read this book to find out that being a research scientist, perhaps unfortunately, is like being in the corporate world, & scientists have egos just like anyone else. There is a wealth of guidance for a new 'starry eyed' student. Slack is a good scientist & he portrays with a light touch some of the characters he knows, journals, government regulations & career structures. In addition he explains how he got into science & why. Anyone who is already a biological scientist will find much to chuckle at & I think that alll biology students should read it - particularly if contemplating going on to take a higher degree. This book is an antidote to the ridiculous idea that scientists are 'higher beings' concerned only with 'truth'.
