Kostas Kampourakis is the author and editor of books about evolution, genetics, philosophy, and history of science, and the editor of the Cambridge book series Understanding Life. He is a former Editor-in-Chief of the journal Science & Education, and the book series Science: Philosophy, History and Education. He is currently a researcher at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, where he also teaches at the Section of Biology and the University Institute for Teacher Education (http://kampourakis.com).

'This book was interesting. I appreciate that the preface ties in science fiction and how it compares to the reality of genetics as well as how the modern perceptions of genetics is not always the same as the scientific reality. It was well organized, the charts and images were well chosen and strategically placed so as to best support the text. I enjoyed how much of the history of genetics was woven through the book. The writing was quite good for a science text, the book is clear and not too heavy.' Jessica Fick, NetGalley Reader

• 1. The Public Image of Genes; 2. The Origin and Evolution of the Gene Concept; 3. The Devolution of the Gene Concept; 4. There are No 'Genes For' Characteristics or Disease; 5. What Genes 'Do'; 6. The Dethronement of Genes.

Kostas Kampourakis is the author and editor of books about evolution, genetics, philosophy, and history of science, and the editor of the Cambridge book series Understanding Life. He is a former Editor-in-Chief of the journal Science & Education, and the book series Science: Philosophy, History and Education. He is currently a researcher at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, where he also teaches at the Section of Biology and the University Institute for Teacher Education (http://kampourakis.com).

'This book was interesting. I appreciate that the preface ties in science fiction and how it compares to the reality of genetics as well as how the modern perceptions of genetics is not always the same as the scientific reality. It was well organized, the charts and images were well chosen and strategically placed so as to best support the text. I enjoyed how much of the history of genetics was woven through the book. The writing was quite good for a science text, the book is clear and not too heavy.' Jessica Fick, NetGalley Reader

• 1. The Public Image of Genes; 2. The Origin and Evolution of the Gene Concept; 3. The Devolution of the Gene Concept; 4. There are No 'Genes For' Characteristics or Disease; 5. What Genes 'Do'; 6. The Dethronement of Genes.