The Juggler's Children
A Journey into Family, Legend and the Genes that Bind Us
-
-
4.1 • 16 Ratings
-
-
- $14.99
-
- $14.99
Publisher Description
Carolyn Abraham explores the stunning power and ethical pitfalls of using genetic tests to answer questions of genealogy--by cracking the genome of her own family.
Recently, tens of thousands of people have been drawn to mail-order DNA tests to learn about their family roots. Abraham investigates whether this burgeoning new science can help solve 2 mysteries that have haunted her multi-racial family for more than a century. Both hinge on her enigmatic great-grandfathers--a hero who died young and a scoundrel who disappeared. Can the DNA they left behind reveal their stories from beyond the grave?
Armed with DNA kits, Abraham criss-crosses the globe, taking cells from relatives and strangers, a genetic journey that turns up far more than she bargained for--ugly truths and moral quandaries. With lively writing and a compelling personal narrative, The Juggler's Children tackles profound questions around the genetics of identity, race and humanity, and tells a big story about our small world, with vivid proof that genes bind us all to the branches of one family tree.
Customer Reviews
Novel, science journal or genealogical primer?
As I start on my own path of genealogical research I was captivated by this book. It is a fascinating story with a solid science background. It is also inspiring as a "how-to", creating a desire to dig further but with my eyes wide open. Ironically, it was my mother who discovered the book before I told her about my joining the Genographic project.
Captivating
I was reading the Reader's Digest on the subway to work and found an excerpted version of this in the magazine. It was very captivating, and reading it felt like an adventure, until that version ended in a cliff hanger. So I just had to shell out the $15 and buy this book. The full book is seemingly much more detailed, and reading it feels like a slow, aromatic adventure into a world that I'm far less familiar with. If you like reading science fiction and epic fantasy novels, I guarantee that you will enjoy this book.
Interesting but bit drawn out
Interesting and surprising, some sections bit drawn out, just too long and drawn out so I just had to skim. But overall enjoyable.