Double Helix: The Story of the Discovery of DNA Structure

Author: J.D. Watson (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: The 20th century was a glorious era in the history of scientific development, marked by groundbreaking achievements in physics and biology that profoundly transformed the world, human cognition, production methods, and lifestyles. It was also a heroic century in the history of science, where a group of unique scientific masters emerged one after another, showcasing the science stage with unprecedented brilliance.
The 20th century witnessed two world wars. The atomic bomb born from World War II revealed the immense power of science to the public, compelling humanity to seriously examine science and recognize that it must be combined with human conscience and the spirit of humanity. Only by using science rationally can it benefit humanity and contribute to peace and the sustainable development of human society.
Entering the 1980s, humanity further realized the need to work together to protect the ecology, control environmental pollution, and explore sustainable development paths. The formation of the concept of sustainable development was a major event in the advancement of the social development perspective in the 20th century.
Looking back at the journey of science in the 20th century, from rapid scientific innovation to profound collisions between science and humanistic ethics, a situation emerged where science and the spirit of humanity intertwined and progressed together, ultimately leaving an extraordinary chapter in the history of human civilization. The extraordinary scientific achievements and the abundant intellectual nourishment created by the scientific and philosophical masters of the 20th century gave rise to a series of outstanding popular science works, providing the public with rich spiritual sustenance. People could follow the eloquent writings of masters like Einstein, Schr?dinger, Gamow, Watson, Weinberg, and Hawking to explore the of scientific creation, embark on journeys to climb scientific summits, and witness the magical landscapes of these peaks. They could accompany Carson in Silent Spring to contemplate the fate of robins, or join Sagan in observing the universe and life.
Today, most of these scientific and philosophical masters have passed away, but these outstanding popular science works remain their immortal spiritual legacy for future generations.
The 20th century has passed, and the 21st century is undoubtedly an era of globalization and knowledge. It is also a time of internationalization and networking of science and technology. Sustainable development remains the only path for human progress, and natural sciences, social sciences, and the spirit of humanity will intersect and integrate. The cultural environment of the world will undergo significant changes, and Eastern and Western cultures will further merge and elevate through a process of dynamic interaction, creating a new culture with both international and national characteristics.
In the next 15 years, China aims to complete the transition to an innovative nation. The foundation for establishing an innovation system and supporting mechanisms lies in significantly improving the cultural education levels and scientific literacy of the population, transforming China's vast population into unparalleled innovative human resources. Disseminating and popularizing science and technology knowledge and the spirit of science in a country as large as China is a grand systematic project that requires active efforts from the government and all sectors of society.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences also shoulders a glorious and arduous task. We have the obligation to integrate the resources of the entire academy to make and improve popular science work, playing a greater role for the nation and society.
Science Press is a strategic force in the publication of popular science books and should play a significant role. The 20th Century Popular Science Classics Collection presents the authentic works of classic popular science to readers of the new era, supplemented by Chinese commentary—a commendable attempt. We hope these classic works will inspire readers, broaden their scientific horizons, and even more, serve as models to advance the creation and publication of our own original popular science and science culture works.