Time, Love, Memory: A Great Biologist and His Quest for the Origins of Behavior

Jonathan Weiner went to Harvard University with the intention of becoming a biologist, but found himself seduced by poetry. He went on to complete his degree in English and American literature. Yet, his love for biology never abated. His first foray into journalism was an article for Harvard Magazine on that very subject. He is now regarded as one of the best science writers of his generation. He won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1994 for his book about evolution, The Beak of the Finch. A mind for science and a heart for poetry is certainly a fortunate combination for a writer, but Weiner also has the dedication and obsessive attention to detail only found in the best scientists and authors.

In researching and writing Time, Love, Memory, Weiner spent nearly five years at the California Institute of Technology, observing biologist Seymour Benzer and his colleagues in what they call the Fly Rooms. Benzer — who worked with geneticists Francis Crick and James Watson to create the double-helix model — has dedicated his further research to the behavioral consequences of genes — how pieces of DNA actually shape behavior. Benzer has
often been labeled a maverick and his research includes groundbreaking work with the genetic code of the fruit fly. However, there is no doubting that his research is pertinent, particularly given today's interest in cloning. Weiner addresses the many controversial aspect of this issue in an evenhanded, informed manner. Time, Love, Memory is many things: a biography of Benzer, a peek over the shoulder of scientists at work, and an ode to genetic science. It is a compelling and whimsical ride, and the reader can't help getting caught up in the infectious enthusiasm of Benzer and his colleagues, which bubbles over throughout Weiner's text. Georgie, Powells.com

"A fascinating history--. Literate and authoritative--.Marvelously exciting." --The New York Times Book Review

Jonathan Weiner, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for The Beak of the Finch, brings his brilliant reporting skills to the story of Seymour Benzer, the Brooklyn-born maverick scientist whose study of genetics and experiments with fruit fly genes has helped revolutionize or knowledge of the connections between DNA and behavior both animal and human.

How much of our fate is decided before we are born?  Which of our characteristics is inscribed in our DNA? Weiner brings us into Benzer's Fly Rooms at the California Institute of Technology, where Benzer, and his asssociates are in the process of finding answers, often astonishing ones, to these questions. Part biography, part thrilling scientific detective story, Time, Love, Memory forcefully demonstrates how Benzer's studies are changing our world view--and even our lives.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Beak of the Finch" brings his brilliant reporting skills to the story of Seymour Benzer, the Brooklyn-born maverick scientist whose study of genetics and experiments with fruit fly genes has helped revolutionize our knowledge of the connections between DNA and behavior.

Jonathan Weiner lives in Bucks County, PA.