Table of Contents

Foreword Joshua Lederberg Preface 1. The Vitamin Hunters 2. Joining the Enzyme Hunters 3. Never a Dull Enzyme 4. Bless the Little Beasties 5. The Synthesis of DNA 6. Creating Life in the Test Tube 7. Astonishing Machines of Replication 8. Frontiers in Replication 9. Gene Hunters and the Golden Age 10. Reflections on My Life in Science Chronology Bibliography Glossary Index

About the Author

Arthur Kornberg was Professor of Biochemistry at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He received a Nobel Prize for the laboratory synthesis of DNA.

Reviews

Kornberg is a gifted writer and the book contains sentences of both wisdom and beauty… For the Love of Enzymes is at the same time charming, stimulating and informative, a reflection of its author. If widely read—and I very much hope it is—it will greatly contribute to the scientific education of the public.
*Nature*

A well-written history of the field and Kornberg’s role in it, full of explanations of the science itself and clear-eyed observations about the process of research. Readers will find here the first-rate mind of a first-rate scientist, and there is pleasure in that. It is rare to read such a lucid account of epoch-making science.
*Los Angeles Times*

Kornberg’s book shines with a love of science… Let us hope that there are those like him today who will, in 50 years’ time, be able to inform, instruct and amaze us with a book such as this.
*New Scientist*

This is the life of a great scientist, told with modesty and wit.
*Chicago Tribune*

Kornberg’s new book For the Love of Enzymes…traces the origins and development of his research on the biosynthesis of DNA, work that was to bring him a Nobel Prize in 1959. Although largely devoted to science, the book is written from a distinctly personal point of view, which adds greatly to its interest not only because of what we learn about Kornberg the man but also because of the light it sheds on how the personality of a researcher may be reflected in the style of his work… The fusion of biochemistry and genetics that has led to the dramatic emergence of molecular biology and genetic engineering in the past few decades is perhaps the most notable event in science in the later 20th century. For the Love of Enzymes offers a unique and fascinating insight into the life and thought of a man whose work was at the center of these grand developments.
*Science*

This is a first-rate book. I had difficulty in putting it down. Kornberg is refreshingly frank and writes with a lively wit as well. It has a wealth of important biochemical facts and history, which are brought to life with clarity and style. The book is a paradigm for how to convey factual information in a way that is easy to remember and to enjoy.
*Paul Schimmel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology*

Kornberg is a gifted writer and the book contains sentences of both wisdom and beauty... For the Love of Enzymes is at the same time charming, stimulating and informative, a reflection of its author. If widely read-and I very much hope it is-it will greatly contribute to the scientific education of the public. -- Efraim Racker * Nature *
A well-written history of the field and Kornberg's role in it, full of explanations of the science itself and clear-eyed observations about the process of research. Readers will find here the first-rate mind of a first-rate scientist, and there is pleasure in that. It is rare to read such a lucid account of epoch-making science. -- Lee Dembart * Los Angeles Times *
Kornberg's book shines with a love of science... Let us hope that there are those like him today who will, in 50 years' time, be able to inform, instruct and amaze us with a book such as this. -- Maxine Clarke * New Scientist *
This is the life of a great scientist, told with modesty and wit. -- Peter Gorner * Chicago Tribune *
Kornberg's new book For the Love of Enzymes...traces the origins and development of his research on the biosynthesis of DNA, work that was to bring him a Nobel Prize in 1959. Although largely devoted to science, the book is written from a distinctly personal point of view, which adds greatly to its interest not only because of what we learn about Kornberg the man but also because of the light it sheds on how the personality of a researcher may be reflected in the style of his work... The fusion of biochemistry and genetics that has led to the dramatic emergence of molecular biology and genetic engineering in the past few decades is perhaps the most notable event in science in the later 20th century. For the Love of Enzymes offers a unique and fascinating insight into the life and thought of a man whose work was at the center of these grand developments. -- Eugene Kennedy * Science *
This is a first-rate book. I had difficulty in putting it down. Kornberg is refreshingly frank and writes with a lively wit as well. It has a wealth of important biochemical facts and history, which are brought to life with clarity and style. The book is a paradigm for how to convey factual information in a way that is easy to remember and to enjoy. -- Paul Schimmel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology