Art and Politics of Science - Paperback

by Harold Varmus (Author)

A PhD candidate in English literature at Harvard University, Harold Varmus discovered he was drawn instead to medicine and eventually found himself at the forefront of cancer research at the University of California, San Francisco. In this "timely memoir of a remarkable career" (American Scientist), Varmus considers a life's work that thus far includes not only the groundbreaking research that won him a Nobel Prize but also six years as the director of the National Institutes of Health; his current position as the president of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; and his important, continuing work as scientific adviser to President Obama. From this truly unique perspective, Varmus shares his experiences from the trenches of politicized battlegrounds ranging from budget fights to stem cell research, global health to science publishing.

Back Jacket

The Art and Politics of Science is a unique work by a remarkable global leader: a brilliant scientist with the sensibilities of an artist and the leadership skills of a consummate politician. Harold Varmus has done it all-Nobel Prize-winning breakthroughs in cancer biology, masterful leadership of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during its period of greatest expansion, statesmanship of the highest order in global health, and cheerful trench warfare to bring biomedical publications to the open-source Internet age. [This] book is captivating, fascinating, and ever instructive. It will be read the world over with enormous delight and benefit.-Jeffrey D. Sachs, director, The Earth Institute "Through an artful melding of science and policy, Harold Varmus conveys not only the excitement of forefront research but also the richly textured human dramas that swirl around pivotal discoveries."-Brian Greene, author of The Elegant Universe "Varmus makes this era's revolution in biological knowledge as comprehensible as it possibly can be. Varmus's broad abilities in scientific, literary, and political realms are evident in this graceful and often gently humorous book."-James Fallows, author of Blind into Baghdad: America's War in Iraq "If you've ever wondered about the early life of a budding scientist, the experience of doing cutting-edge research, or the translation of brilliant work into public service, read the account of this passionate, politically engaged, deeply humane scientist and marvel at the richness of a life well spent."-Andrea Barrett, National Book Award-winning author of Ship Fever "Harold Varmus is a person of legendary charm and limitless vision who has put his gifted mind to the service of science, health, and above all . . . the people of the world. I loved this book."-Donna E. Shalala, president, University of Miami, and former secretary, Health and Human Services "Any time any one of us has a cancer scare, or worse, we can be grateful to Harold Varmus and his extraordinary life in science. We are all lucky that Dr. Varmus left literature for medicine. And now, reading this book, we can be grateful that he is so very gifted in both."-Jonathan Weiner, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Beak of the Finch