The subtle intricacies of
the invisible world of
Deoxyribonucleic
Acid explained (for
teenagers and all ages beyond) by means of cut-out models and a
delightful
mini-book!
Learn about the extraordinary influence of genetics, bacteria and
viruses
on all aspects of
life on Earth. You can even build your own virus and see how it injects
its DNA
into a parasitised cell in this inventive book. Tarquin
Publications, ISBN
0906212758.
The book and its model
featured
with other Van Loon DNA-related work
(about half a dozen pieces) in an exhibition
called 'Representations of the Double Helix' at the Whipple
Museum, Cambridge, U.K. - next door to the
famous Cavendish laboratories - throughout 2003
to celebrate 50 years since the discovery of the
structure
of DNA by not only Crick and Watson, but also
Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin (whose
work was a vital contribution). The accompanying
book of the same title by S. de Chadarevian and H.
Kamminga
(ISBN 0 906271 207) includes a full colour
spread on Borin's model and book cover shown
here,
plus mono illustrations from 'DNA for
Beginners' and 'Introducing
Genetics'.
Reviews
"...Talking about paper models, I must bend my own
rule, to mention a book for sale by Borin Van Loon entitled DNA:
The Marvellous Molecule which seems to cover all this ground as well.
With a double helix model, a nucleotide model, a baculovirus model to
build to see how it injects its DNA into a parasitised cell, a 32 page
minibook describing the material in accessible language and as an added
bonus a storage box for the models. I haven't seen it but it sounds
impressive. Borin Van Loon exhibited his work at the Whipple Museum in
Cambridge, U.K. - next door to the famous Cavendish laboratories..."
(Kirok of L'Stok, New South Wales, Australia)
Letter to Gerald Jenkins, Tarquin Publications: 'Thank
you for the
copy
of 'DNA: The Marvellous Molecule'. The text is full of important
biological
information [presented] in an interesting way and the models look as if
they are a lot of fun to make. My secretary enjoyed reading the text. I
plan to pass it on to my grandchildren, though I should perhaps tell
you
that my wife really dislikes the drawing of Jim and myself; but then
she
... is an artist.' (From
Francis Crick, The Salk
Institute, San
Diego,
California. May 1, 1991.) (This
recently rediscovered letter is
most
gratifying. It's also interesting that Borin has often found that
caricatures
of famous people are seldom liked by their subjects, though everyone
else
agrees it looks just like them.)
Great! (Well for an esoteric bunch of people anyway :-)
The double
helix
and lambda phage are really cool models to display in your office, lab
(or
living room :-) if you work in the field of genetics research (and have
an immature streak in you, like me :-). My PARENTS gave me this as a
Christmas
present about eight years ago, and I spent an enjoyable few hours
ignoring
my relatives and making the two main models instead :-)!! Of course,
most
people who think the models are cool will know the facts in the book
backwards,
so I'm not really sure who it's meant to be aimed at. Probably kids,
but
they might not be quite interested enough to take the time to bother
making
the model unless they're really into it and are budding geneticists of
the
future. I mainly recommend it for (immature) genetics researchers/
students/
enthusiasts, who are permitted to ignore the text :-) (well, apart from
the bit explaining which bit to glue to which bit; that's kinda useful
:-)
(LAE (lae2@dr.com))
DNA for Kids. The book is
written for young adults in mind. DNA is
simplified
with cut-out models, colored pictures, diagrams. It is only 32 pages.
Perfect
book for explaining DNA to Young Adults. It is expensive but I could
not
find any other book to show DNA to young people and get their
imagination
going. (hacibey from Boston, Ma USA) (Expensive?
Some
mistake,surely?)
Basic
facts for people interested in learning a new subject.
I wanted to use this book to learn the basic facts about DNA. It is not
very clear, but it manages to get the most basic information across to
its
audience. The books pages are arranged in a way which is easy to follow
and it's paragraghs aren't over powering and full of huge words. I feel
it is aimed at a younger audience as it contains a pull out section
where
you make your own DNA model. It would be ideal for a child studying DNA
at GCSE level. I found it most helpful as an extra revision practise
book.
All in all a good informative book. Well done! (A reader from South
Yorkshire,
England) (We think this must
be what's called "a mixed review"...)
Dna-riffic.
This book is very informative about the
operation
of DNA, it includes a fact-full mini-book and complete model of the DNA
molecule. It also has a model of a Virus cell. (A reader from Waipawa,
Central
HB New Zealand)
Yesterday I wrote
>Recently I ran across a paper model book of DNA structure--sort
of
a
'paper doll' book for DNA. It's got a double helix, as well as a set of
base pairs to illustrate complementarity and a (rather impressive and
sophisticated)
model of a virus. This morning I found a request in my emailbox to post
the ISBN. The book is called "DNA: The Marvellous Molecule", and
it's by Borin Van Loon. ('DNA Explained!' is splashed across the front.
Unfortunately, close examination has not revealed the key to my thesis
project.
So it goes.) It's got a double helix model, baculovirus model,
nucleotide
model, a wordy little 'minibook', and--bonus!--a storage box for your
models.
Some assembly required. ISBN is 0-906212-75-8; published by Tarquin
Publications,
Norfolk, England; copyright 1990.
Cheers, AK (Angelina Kantola, University of Washington, Seattle)
You would have to be a loon to
not enjoy this book
Every school in the country should have one of these to teach children
science
from an early age. It is exciting and informative yet still shows that
science
can be fun. Definitely Marvellous!! Get your glue at the ready . . . (A
readerfrom
Tooting, UK )
Geodesic Domes
Geodesic means
'earth-dividing' and this book explains how,
from
the plotting of
imaginary 'great circles' on the surface of the globe, man has tackled
the
seemingly
impossible task of dividing up the surface of a sphere into flat
surfaces.
By mathematical
means we see how Platonic solids, the octahedron and icosahedron, are
used
to derive the
beautiful domes made famous by Buckminster Fuller. You can make a
family
of cut-out models
from the very simple to a faceted hemisphere which makes a very
striking
dome. Tarquin
Publications, ISBN
0906212928.
Reviews
--
Domes of invention. Here
are jpg photos, one of Sarah's cabin
(left),
the others of my new office (unfinished in the snow and near-complete).The miniature dome in right
foreground is actually a little wooden
model
Gerry built to guide him during construction of the main dome. But Jack
the Cat now uses it as sleeping quarters on hot summer days. Yes, it
gets
really hot in Quebec in summer -- and really cold in winter. A range of
about +30 to -30 degrees C.
Gerry Toomey, Quebec, Canada (GeraldToomey@cs.com) Friday
7/2/03 Just
a quick note so say how much I enjoyed your little book,
Geodesic
Domes. If it's intended for
children, then I guess I'm a big kid.
Anways,
the book has inspired me to build three small geodesic domes here in
Quebec,
Canada. Basically, I just wanted to tell you how helpful your book as I
made the difficult transition from paper cutouts to woodframe
structures.
Building things you can walk around in is, at least for me, certainly
more
fun than paper and scissors. But you need a good starting point, like
Geodesic
Domes, for direction and inspiration.
My most recent project, which includes a small loft, will become my
office
next summer. I still have wiring and insulation to install, as well as
the
exterior cedar cladding to nail on. The building (a 3-frequency
rendition
of the octahedron) is about 20 square meters, with a small annex still
to
be erected next spring. My neighbour Mary quite likes its cozy look and
has jokingly threatened to move in as a squatter!
Your book was a major stimulus for me to re-learn and go beyond my high
school trigonometry and apply it to small geodesic buildings -- with
the
help of a compound miter saw and a scientific calculator, of course. I
even
figured out some of the required formulas after wracking my brain to
remember
algebra. It's amazing what dusty old ideas still lurk in the brain of
an
aging baby-boomer!
My step-daughter Sarah has also benefitted from all this. She has her
own
little geodesic cabin now in which to camp out with friends at our
lakeside
property during the summer. This wooden building is far more
bear-resistant
than a nylon or canvas tent!
Best regards and may you continue to be inspired with both amusing and
provocative
ideas, Gerry
P.S. For several years I've hoarded a copy of your "Geodesic Domes",
on loan from a good friend of mine. Last month I visited the Eden
Project
in Cornwall and there in the bookstore I found the latest
edition/reprint.
So I bought a copy and gave it to my friend, keeping the old dog-eared
1994
edition for myself. Update: Spring, 2003: "Dear
Borin, I finally installed cedar
shingles on the dome's riser walls and the basswood door is in place (see
third photo above). Insulation
and electric wiring work are in
progress.
With a little luck, I'll complete the dome extension on the righthand
side,
about 60 sq. ft., by August. Then I can start using the building as an
office.
The municipal building inspector will be paying a visit shortly to
check
my progress. Thanks again for the mathematical and spatial inspiration!
Maybe it's time for you to write Geodesic Domes II!"
Good dome primer. bought the
book. good primer for we neophite
dome
builders. good pictures, cut out models, some math. (Barnes &
Noble
site: 4 out of 5 stars)
The geometry of geodesic domes
using cut-out models. This is
classified
as a children's book, but it isn't so simple. It would be suitable for
teenagers
but the mathematics is relevant whatever your age and it is described
clearly
and concisely. However, if you're looking for a book on dome
architecture
this is not for you. There are two models that demonstrate the ideas
about
the subdivision of triangles to approximate the sphere based on the
octahedron
and the icosahedron. Then there are three 'architectural' dome models
and
lastly a model of the carbon molecule bukminsterfullerene. Each model
is
included for a reason and there's an explanatory text to accompany each
one. The book does not cover real examples of domes much (only a sketch
of the Expo 67 pavilion), although the introduction briefly explains
the
history and reason for them. It is important to understand that this is
not a book about dome architecture: it covers the math behind the
concept
and explains it using cut-out models. (Alan Chuter from Madrid, Spain)
The children's book Geodesic
Domes by Borin van Loon has the
simplest
explanation of geodesic dome geometry and terminology I have ever seen,
plus it has several paper cut-out models of many varieties of geodesic
structures
including the "Bucky Ball" (which is not a true geodesic, but
which is famous since the early 1990's because of the carbon molecule,
buckminsterfullerine).
(Dr. Michael J. Gourlay -
http://www.colorado-research.com/~gourlay/dome/)
Geodesic Basics. The book
provides basic insights into
geodesic
design
of higher frequency structures from the fundamental icosehdral blocks.
Cut
out patterns provide some hands on builds. Worth the money. Rating: 4
(http://www.anybook4less.com/detail/1840460768.html)
Childrens book with cutout
domes. Don't be fooled by the
title
of
this book. It is not an architectural treatise, it's a children's book
with
cutouts that let you make a paper model. If you want a good book on the
architecture of Geodesic Domes, buy a biography of Buckminster Fuller.
Rating:
1 (Borin says: Only one? I'm
not sure that a biography of Fuller -
interesting
though that might be - would really tell you much about the
technicalities
of geodesy and dome structure.)
(http://www.anybook4less.com/detail/1840460768.html)
For ages 12 and up.
Each of the models in this book is both
beautiful
and interesting. It was Buckminster Fuller who pioneered this type of
building.
The book explains the underlying theory that enables the construction
of
light and strong buildings with no internal support. The US exhibit at
the
Montreal World's Fair in 1967 and my children's jungle gym in the
backyard
are two examples. For ages 12 and up. (http://www.mathk-phd.com/art.htm)
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