Matthew Cobb is Professor of Zoology at the University of Manchester where his research focuses on the sense of smell, insect behaviour and the history of science. His books include The Egg & Sperm Race and acclaimed accounts of the French Resistance during the Second World War and the liberation of Paris in 1944.

It is to Cobb's considerably credit that he manages to provide such an authoritative but nevertheless thrilling narrative, while also establishing, on a more serious level, how the genetic code has made its impact on everyday life50 years since it's discovery. In short, this is a first-class read. -- Robin McKie The Observer A fascinating reminder of just how hard-won are the seemingly obvious facts of modern biology... the cracking of the code of life is a great story, of which this is an accomplished telling. The Economist

Matthew Cobb is Professor of Zoology at the University of Manchester where his research focuses on the sense of smell, insect behaviour and the history of science. His books include The Egg & Sperm Race and acclaimed accounts of the French Resistance during the Second World War and the liberation of Paris in 1944.

It is to Cobb's considerably credit that he manages to provide such an authoritative but nevertheless thrilling narrative, while also establishing, on a more serious level, how the genetic code has made its impact on everyday life50 years since it's discovery. In short, this is a first-class read. -- Robin McKie The Observer A fascinating reminder of just how hard-won are the seemingly obvious facts of modern biology... the cracking of the code of life is a great story, of which this is an accomplished telling. The Economist

Matthew Cobb is Professor of Zoology at the University of Manchester where his research focuses on the sense of smell, insect behaviour and the history of science. His books include The Egg & Sperm Race and acclaimed accounts of the French Resistance during the Second World War and the liberation of Paris in 1944.

It is to Cobb's considerably credit that he manages to provide such an authoritative but nevertheless thrilling narrative, while also establishing, on a more serious level, how the genetic code has made its impact on everyday life50 years since it's discovery. In short, this is a first-class read. -- Robin McKie The Observer A fascinating reminder of just how hard-won are the seemingly obvious facts of modern biology... the cracking of the code of life is a great story, of which this is an accomplished telling. The Economist