Hannah's Heirs

"Pollen excellently melds the histories of genetics and Alzheimer's disease research with his exposition upon [his patient's family] pedigree....Smoothly crafted, well-documented, at times exciting."--Booklist "A wonderful book."--Dr. Tim Johnson, Good Morning America "This book is crammed with human triumphs of both the intellect and the spirit, and deserves a wide readership."--Nature "A masterpiece....At time, this ambitious soon-to-be-a-classic book reads like a scientific mystery, with Pollen as the detective....Hannah's Heirs is a moving look at a courageous and generous family. Pollen provides a wealth of information--a veracious tracking of genetics as it pertains to Alzheimer's, complete with an honest appraisal of the competitive nature of research....It is, quite simply, an extraordinary book; well-written, timely and fascinating."--The American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease "Offers a penetrating look at the ongoing conflicts involved in scientific research when prestige and funding are on the line."--The New England Journal of Medicine "A remarkable and exciting history of scientific success. The book is exceptionally complete and up-to-date, incorporating recent important advances....Presents a moving story of the living history of science, and is highly recommended to those who enjoy a good adventure."--Neurology "Recommended reading for those wishing to gain additional knowledge of the trends in genetic research into this especially cruel affliction that is so devastating to its' victims and their families."--Alzheimer's Association "A history of our understanding of Alzheimer's, an examination of the techniques of modern molecular genetics, and a story of human courage and determination....Compelling, sensitively written portrait....Highly recommended."--Library Journal "The path to understanding the genetic causes of Alzheimer's has been long and tortuous; as neurologist Daniel Pollen so poignantly reveals in this saga of high technology and the lowest tech there is: people and families....Pollen presents the story of modern genetics."--Chicago Tribune "This account follows the subtle trail left by Alzheimer's in a woman's life and death....While Pollen explains the larger context of the scientific search for the cause of the disease, he also underscores the frustrations of those families affected by its ravages. Pollen's portrait of Hannah and her family bestows a human dimension to this complex scientific detective story."--Publishers Weekly "Hannah's Heirs wonderfully catches the mood of the hunt for the genes that tragically predispose some rare families to Alzheimer's disease. Through the success of this research, these genetically-haunted families will soon be able to look forward to futures without such bleak endings."--James D. Watson, Nobel laureate, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, and Director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory "High technology and human tragedy; luck and persistence; altruism and competition--they all come together in this absorbing tale of medical detection that spans decades and crosses continents....An exciting story that reveals much about how science is done--and that says something affirmative about the human spirit as well."--Kirkus Reviews "Pollen excellently melds the histories of genetics and Alzheimer's disease research with his exposition upon [his patient's family] pedigree....Smoothly crafted, well-documented, at times exciting."--Booklist "This is a 'Roots' not only for a family and the disease to which its members were heirs but 'roots' for description and understanding of that disease, for genetics in general, and the genetics of Alzheimer's disease specifically. The 3 or 4 separate roots are skillfully intertwined in a compelling and revealing story of what an inherited disorder of late onset and disastrous effects can mean to a family."--Victor A. McKusick, M.D., The Center for Medical Genetics, Johns Hopkins Hospital "This is both a highly personal book and superb medical history. It shows how priority funding and molecular genetics have helped to advance our knowledge of that most devastating condition, Alzheimer's disease."--Robert N. Butler, M.D., Brookdale Professor of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Chairman, Department of Geriatric and Adult Development, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Pulitzer-prize-winning author, and founding Director of the National Institute on Aging "Pollen...blends suffering and courage with a clear account of the advances of contemporary science as he follows researchers and their race to solve the mysteries of this disease." --The Washington Post "An engrossing and reverent account. The author is an attending physicians and indefatigable clinical collaborator to several indepdendent research teams. Pollen chronicles the technological advances that uncovered the gene and documents the organizational efforts required. . . . the well-informed technical accounts and the sensitive narrative."--Choice "Pollen...blends suffering and courage with a clear account of the advances of contemporary science as he follows researchers and their race to solve the mysteries of this disease." --David Armstrong, Tampa Tribune-Times "Rich in details and surprisingly up-to-date." --George M. Martin, American Journal of Human Genetics "A remarkable and exciting history of scientific success. The book is exceptionally complete and up-to-date, incorporating recent important advances. . . . presents a moving story of the living history of science, and is highly recommended to those who enjoy a good adventure." --Robert P. Friedland, MD, Neurology "An unusual book that is written in a remarkably interesting and comfortable style. Dr. Dan Pollen, the author, performed the ultimate family history with one of his patients, immersing himself in the saga of one of the important hereditary Alzheimer's disease families. The remarkable part of this book is that it is written in the midst of the most explosive years of Alzheimer's disease genetic research....Provides enough genetics to enhance understanding and not too much to be technically boring....The insights and information presented in this volume in an easily readable and logical manner will not go out of date. This is a must read for anyone, professional or lay, amyloid enthusiast or not, who is interested in Alzheimer's disease." --Allen D. Roses, MD, Duke University Medical Center, Amyloid-The International Journal of Experimental and Clinical Investigation