---
product_id: 57054098
title: "Genome: The Autobiography Of Species In 23 Chapters"
price: "30763CFA"
currency: XOF
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/57054098-genome-the-autobiography-of-species-in-23-chapters
store_origin: SN
region: Senegal
---

# 100,000 words, deep yet accessible Explores genetics & free will 23 chapters = 23 chromosomes Genome: The Autobiography Of Species In 23 Chapters

**Price:** 30763CFA
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🧬 Decode your DNA story—because your genes are the ultimate bestseller.

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Genome: The Autobiography Of Species In 23 Chapters
- **How much does it cost?** 30763CFA with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sn](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/57054098-genome-the-autobiography-of-species-in-23-chapters)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
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## Key Features

- • **Unlock Human Evolution:** Discover how genes shape everything from intelligence to disease, revealing the blueprint of what makes us human.
- • **Stay Ahead of the Curve:** Join thousands of readers embracing the future of genetic understanding—because knowing your genome is the new power move.
- • **Explore Genetic Free Will:** Challenge biological determinism with groundbreaking insights into how free will is encoded in our DNA.
- • **Science Meets Storytelling:** A masterful blend of cutting-edge genetics and engaging narrative that demystifies complex science without the jargon.
- • **Chromosome-by-Chromosome Insight:** Dive into 23 chapters, each decoding a unique chromosome’s story—your personal genetic roadmap.

## Overview

Genome: The Autobiography Of Species In 23 Chapters is a bestselling, critically acclaimed book by Matt Ridley that unpacks the human genome through 23 chapters, each dedicated to a chromosome pair. With 100,000 words of accessible yet authoritative content, it reveals how genes influence evolution, personality, disease, and even free will. Ranked #41 in Genetics in Popular Science, this book offers a compelling, scientifically rigorous exploration of genetics that resonates with curious professionals eager to understand the blueprint of humanity.

## Description

The most important investigation of genetic science since The Selfish Gene, from the author of the critically acclaimed and best-selling The Red Queen and The Origins of Virtue. The genome is our 100,000 or so genes. The genome is the collective recipe for the building and running of the human body. These 100,000 genes are sited across 23 pairs of chromosomes. Genome, a book of about 100,000 words, is divided into 23 chapters, a chapter for each chromosome. The first chromosome, for example, contains our oldest genes, genes which we have in common with plants. By looking at our genes we can see the story of our evolution, what makes us individual, how our sexuality is determined, how we acquire language, why we are vunerable to certain diseases, how mind has arisen. Genome also argues for the genetic foundations of free will. While many believe that genetics proves biological determinism, Ridley will show that in fact free will is itself in the genes. Everything that makes us human can be read in our genes. Early in the next century we will have determined the function of every one of these 100,000 genes.

Review: Fascinating insight into genes and genetic engineering - This fascinating account of human inheritance has an elegant structure. Various genetic phenomena are discussed, each in one of 23 chapters: each one named (= numbered) after the chromosome pair which is most relevant to that particular subject. So we are guided through the genetics of intelligence, personality, immunity, and the gene-level basis of heart disease, cancers, Alzheimers, and other `partially inherited' diseases. Ridley, as ever, does his research thoroughly, and presents it with brilliant clarity. I found the account of apoptosis (cell suicide), effected by genes `for the good of the body', to be an informative evolutionary basis for better understanding cancer. In another chapter, he discusses the biological benefits of autonomy, comparing (admittedly generalising) the high status, in control, `high serotonin' state with the anxious, impulsive, atherosclerotic, suicidal, `low serotonin' scenario. New snippets of the evolutionary story are revealed. Head-tail and back-front differentiation genes are very similar throughout the animal kingdom, implying a common ancestry. Infidelity is a highly prevalent behaviour in many species.Genes from different animals (including humans) are to a surprising extent actually interchangeable. We glean further insights into the nurture/nature interplay. Environmental triggers can actually switch genes on and off; genes in turn can make us more or less sensitive to our environment. Ridley relates how, with age, as we often become increasingly able to select our own influences, the `genetic' proportion of our intelligence thus tends to increase. In another chapter again, he explores the construction of intricate `genetic geography' which reveal some racial `characteristics'. Conundrums are explored: why do inherited diseases persist in the gene pool? Because gene mutations (changes in the base sequence) often have two separate effects, one beneficial and one harmful. What is the function of all the `junk' (seemingly useless) DNA? A lot of it is random, `phenotype-free' : `hitch-hiking' a ride from generation to generation, on the back of the genes that bother to make the survival machines(bodies)that serve to reproduce DNA so effectively. What you learn depends on what you already knew; but there'll certainly be something for everyone here. I found most gripping the sections towards the end, as we become gradually more aware of the fantastic possibilities of genetic engineering. The account of the (gene-carrying) retrovirus therapy and other genetic `engineering' tricks was riveting. The principles of what had seemed a highly esoteric field became much clearer and more straightforward. He extends his discussions into philosophical areas also. I discovered that many countries - including the US and the UK - took significant steps towards developing and supporting eugenic customs and laws in the 20's and 30's. In another section Ridley briefly discusses the relationship between behavioural genetics and the problem of free will - does chaos theory have a relevance here, explaining the smaller scale unpredictabilities in our decisions ? Overall, this is a key modern topic to obtain some kind of grasp of, and Ridley's book must be as good a way as any of achieving that.
Review: Gene stories - Surprised to enjoy the book which is a bit of a whodunnit among genes. Lots of explanations for all manner of interesting human foibles. Very well written, flows along nicely, at a good pace, never mind you down with trivia - a refreshingly easy read. It is scientific but never that deep in science that you get lost. All in all, a book I'm well glad to have found and read.

## Features

- New Store Stock

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | 122,363 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 41 in Genetics in Popular Science 287 in Biological Evolution 649 in Biology (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,831 Reviews |

## Images

![Genome: The Autobiography Of Species In 23 Chapters - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61D7ww-Xo6L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fascinating insight into genes and genetic engineering
*by A***A on 30 October 2012*

This fascinating account of human inheritance has an elegant structure. Various genetic phenomena are discussed, each in one of 23 chapters: each one named (= numbered) after the chromosome pair which is most relevant to that particular subject. So we are guided through the genetics of intelligence, personality, immunity, and the gene-level basis of heart disease, cancers, Alzheimers, and other `partially inherited' diseases. Ridley, as ever, does his research thoroughly, and presents it with brilliant clarity. I found the account of apoptosis (cell suicide), effected by genes `for the good of the body', to be an informative evolutionary basis for better understanding cancer. In another chapter, he discusses the biological benefits of autonomy, comparing (admittedly generalising) the high status, in control, `high serotonin' state with the anxious, impulsive, atherosclerotic, suicidal, `low serotonin' scenario. New snippets of the evolutionary story are revealed. Head-tail and back-front differentiation genes are very similar throughout the animal kingdom, implying a common ancestry. Infidelity is a highly prevalent behaviour in many species.Genes from different animals (including humans) are to a surprising extent actually interchangeable. We glean further insights into the nurture/nature interplay. Environmental triggers can actually switch genes on and off; genes in turn can make us more or less sensitive to our environment. Ridley relates how, with age, as we often become increasingly able to select our own influences, the `genetic' proportion of our intelligence thus tends to increase. In another chapter again, he explores the construction of intricate `genetic geography' which reveal some racial `characteristics'. Conundrums are explored: why do inherited diseases persist in the gene pool? Because gene mutations (changes in the base sequence) often have two separate effects, one beneficial and one harmful. What is the function of all the `junk' (seemingly useless) DNA? A lot of it is random, `phenotype-free' : `hitch-hiking' a ride from generation to generation, on the back of the genes that bother to make the survival machines(bodies)that serve to reproduce DNA so effectively. What you learn depends on what you already knew; but there'll certainly be something for everyone here. I found most gripping the sections towards the end, as we become gradually more aware of the fantastic possibilities of genetic engineering. The account of the (gene-carrying) retrovirus therapy and other genetic `engineering' tricks was riveting. The principles of what had seemed a highly esoteric field became much clearer and more straightforward. He extends his discussions into philosophical areas also. I discovered that many countries - including the US and the UK - took significant steps towards developing and supporting eugenic customs and laws in the 20's and 30's. In another section Ridley briefly discusses the relationship between behavioural genetics and the problem of free will - does chaos theory have a relevance here, explaining the smaller scale unpredictabilities in our decisions ? Overall, this is a key modern topic to obtain some kind of grasp of, and Ridley's book must be as good a way as any of achieving that.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gene stories
*by M***N on 9 June 2025*

Surprised to enjoy the book which is a bit of a whodunnit among genes. Lots of explanations for all manner of interesting human foibles. Very well written, flows along nicely, at a good pace, never mind you down with trivia - a refreshingly easy read. It is scientific but never that deep in science that you get lost. All in all, a book I'm well glad to have found and read.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A fantastic tour of the human genome
*by M***S on 27 October 2025*

Informative, accessible and a really good read! Everything ypu wanted to know about the code that makes you up, but we're afraid to ask. Go pick up a copy and read it!

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*Product available on Desertcart Senegal*
*Store origin: SN*
*Last updated: 2026-08-16*