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  • How to Win the Nobel Prize: An Unexpected Life in Science
  • Mel Greaves
J. Michael Bishop. How to Win the Nobel Prize: An Unexpected Life in Science. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press, 2003. 271 pp., illus. $15.95 (paper).

This book is a highly readable compilation of narratives by an erudite and eloquent biomedical scientist, Michael Bishop. He just happens to have won the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine. The key discovery, jointly with Harold Varmus, evolved out of Bishop's fascination with the molecular biology of viruses. One, avian sarcoma virus, causes cancer in birds. Bishop and Varmus's insight was to show, by what seems in retrospect to be a deliciously simple experiment, that the single gene within the virus that causes this mayhem had been historically derived or "stolen" from normal cells, probably in one innocent chicken. A Pandora's box was opened, leading to the delineation of the central role of mutant cellular genes in human cancer. Bishop laments that he has not turned his work to bear directly on clinical disease, but his discovery and others that followed now impact directly on screening, genetic counseling, diagnosis, prognosis, and in some cases treatment of cancer. He has good cause to be pleased. And well rewarded, though there is perhaps something odd about the preeminence and kudos of the Nobel science prizes. Bishop offers the credible explanation that this has much to do with the royal seal of approval, the accompanying large sackful of kronas, but perhaps especially, the illustrious pedigree of its laureates. Who wouldn't want to join the [End Page 383] same exclusive club as Erhlich, Einstein, Curie, Bohr, Fleming, Crick, and Watson?

The series of five essays is derived from the Jerusalem-Harvard Lectures that Bishop gave in 2000, some eleven years after the call to Stockholm. His colorful and legendary writing style is on full display. He has a gift for vivid phrases, though poetic licence is sometimes taken, as with "Those of us who love the creative act must dare to stare at the sun" (p. 75). Phooey!

"The Phone Call" describes how in 1989 Bishop was awakened by his son with the news that he had been awarded the Nobel Prize. By his account, he was genuinely surprised, and his ensuing tale of the ceremonials in Stockholm recalls the surreal experience in which he felt barely deserving and extremely fortunate, an accidental hero. James Watson presents a different view in The Double Helix—but then who expects all scientists to be the same?

This first essay also contains a succinct and entertaining summary of the history of the Nobel Prizes, with amusing asides on the somewhat peculiar character of the eponymous donor. Another personal essay charts the rise (and rise) of Bishop as reluctant medic, passionate researcher, teacher, Washington advocate for biomedical science, and university chancellor. One thing sort of led to another, with the young Michael following his nose rather than a master plan. This biographical sketch is replete with wise advice to young scientists (the importance of luck, timing, patronage, resolve, and risk-taking)—and also very insightful about alternative routes to scientific discovery. One is inspirational guesswork followed by the successful search for proof; the other, a more mundane stumbling toward a fundamental truth whose importance is then grasped. Bishop is refreshingly candid in placing his own success in the latter category.

"People and Pestilence" is a well-informed romp through the ancient but persistent Darwinian confrontation between microbes and humans. Others have charted these waters at some length and depth (W. H. McNeill's Plagues and People being the classic), but Bishop provides a steady stream of colorful characters and anecdotes to enliven a story that is both fascinating and frightening.

"Opening the Black Box of Cancer" is Bishop's historical perspective on how the enigma of cancerous cells was eventually cracked by molecular biology and places his prize-winning discovery in context. The tale has been told many times now, but Bishop's account is as good as any in its lucid portrayal of biological shenanigans inside our cells.

"Paradoxical Strife" finds Bishop at his best—worried, angry, and justifiably so. How...

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