The Monk in the Garden: The Lost and Found Genius of Gregor Mendel, the Father of Genetics

An outsider’s view of scientific history deems that stories of scientific discovery are boring. After all, how could readers be interested in narratives about how people work in laboratories? To that, Henig pens her eloquent reply in an interesting tale of how an obscure monk in Eastern Europe transformed modern biology… after he died. Thus goes the all-too-human tale of humble Gregor Mendel.After joining a monastic order in the 1800s, Mendel studied science and grew peas systematically in a monastery’s courtyard. Certain traits would skip a generation and would consistently recur in 1/4 of the offspring. From this observation, he found what are now known as Mendel’s Laws of genetic inheritance. He published his findings… and received no acclaim. Barely anyone even read his publication. He later became abbot of the monastery and then died in obscurity.A few decades later, he was “rediscovered” by three scientists looking for a means for Darwinian evolution to proceed. Mendel’s Laws soon became a central point of scientific proof for evolution and are now universally taught wherever scientific education occurs. Mendel’s statue is presently erected overlooking the monastery in Brünn, Moravia.As shown by the book becoming a National Book Critic’s Circle Award finalist, Henig tells this story well. She captures the personalities involved and the human and scientific sides of an interesting tale. This saga is filled with inherent irony, and she does her best in drawing it out from the few historical sources. Obviously, Mendel’s discoveries have had a huge scientific impact as they have led to modern biology and a fount for medical research.Mendel’s life was lived with little fanfare. Fortunately, Henig’s book does not live in such a state. It is masterfully told, well-received, and reminds us that the “little guy” sometimes wins in the end. Her imagination and creativity impress as she spins this intellectual drama. The human twists and turns about how trait inheritance occurs in species brings the science to life. Her work would make the ever-curious and ingenious Mendel proud.

There isn't much on offer for Biographies of Mendel, who started Genetics. Unfortunately, this is a less, then great Biography. The human side of Mendel and his life seems to be well covered. But the author does not understand the Genetics she describes and misses much of the significance of how he conducted his work. His early shift from mice to peas is of great significance for his findings, which rest on stastistical arguments. You can study thousands of peas, but it's not practical to study thousands of mice. And you can eat the peas, but the mice are useless after the experiment. You're not going to send them to an old-age home for mice. The author is a Journalist and not a Scientist and doesn't seem to have been aware of her limitations.

This is a such wonderful a biography of Gregor Mendel, that I was startled to see so many 2 star ratings. It is easy to read and understand even if you lack a significant scientific education.Rather than citing just the bare facts, Robin Marantz Henig writes like a novelist. She interweaves the scientific debates before, during, and after Mendel's time with the importance of his discovery. Mendel had no model to follow, no fellow researchers to encourage him, no context into which to put his research, and no vocabulary to describe the genetics he was documenting. His paper on the subject was largely ignored... and then rediscovered 35 years later.Perhaps Mendel got a lucky break in choosing Moravian peas because their characteristics were readily identifiable. Or perhaps it is those characteristics, seed color, seed texture, plant height, that caused him find his work.In modern times it can be seen as rather ironic that the initial work in genetics, the work that was needed to support Darwin, was developed by a monk in a monastery. But monks were the conservers of all the great ancient works. Their monasteries contained the libraries of Europe throughout the middle ages. The monks were the literate class. St. Augustine stated that you talk to God when you pray, but God talks to you when you read. And Mendel's monastery followed Augustinian doctrine.That quiet isolation and contemplation may also have been essential to conducting the work. Growing and recording peas does not seem stimulating. Henig writes "By the time Mendel was done with this succession of crosses, recrosses, and backcrosses, he must have counted a total of more than 10,000 plants, 40,000 blossoms, and a staggering 300,000 peas."Mandel had fragile psyche, which was both the cause and effect of his failures. He could not pass a qualifying exam that would allow him to teach high school. His test anxiety was so great that on his second attempt, he started just one question and gave up. He would take to his bed for months at a time. He and his work were ignored while others attained fame and the respect of the scientific community. And yet, despite disappointments and lack or recognition, Mendel persevered.This is a biography well worth reading.

So easy to read and still very informative and thought provoking. Excellent writing and research. Was pleasantly surprised. You can enjoy this weather you know a lot or next to nothing about genetics. Inspiring life retold in a very interesting way

A little slow, but what else can you do when writing about Gregor Mendel? Overall through, this book provides some great insight into the life of the father of genetics. It was very fascinating to learn about him and his work.

I had to read this book for a class, but I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting the content was. Well written story about a man who quietly pursued his inner calling and changed our understanding of science and nature forever, without the least bit of fanfare.

Excellent