Epigenetics: How Environment Shapes Our Genes

There is definitely a market for a good popular science book about epigenetics, and I eagerly awaited this one. But it fell short of my expectations. It simply is too short, and too lacking in depth. For the epigenetics of inheritance and evolution, there already is an excellent book out there: Evolution in Four Dimensions: Genetic, Epigenetic, Behavioral, and Symbolic Variation in the History of Life (Life and Mind: Philosophical Issues in Biology and Psychology) . However, the book by Jablonka & Lamb is getting a little old (in this field, things sure develop rapidly), and it lacks the issues that I was most interested in - the effects of epigenetic change on health. However, I'll restate, for the evolutionary side, the Jablonka & Lamb book is great.

Back to the book by Francis, 160 pages is just too short. I will acknowledge the great many notes and large bibliography included, but the first 160 pages are so superficial, I doubt the author finds the right audience for the notes/bibliography.

The author's writing style and explanations are fine, so if you want a quick overview on a topic of which you have zero knowledge before, this book will serve you well. However, for many of us, we must wait for a book with more depth, or a vastly expanded second edition.

For an example of excellent and in depth popular science writing, try Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life.

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Epigenetics: How Environment Shapes Our Genes