Muscles and Molecules

“Muscles and Molecules, written by Gerry Pollack, is a beautifully produced, single-authored text by one of our more thoughtful, if unconventional, authorities on the mechanism of muscular contraction… Clearly and elegantly written, and with a charm and grace not often seen in modern scientific writing, the book is beautifully produced, well-indexed and exquisitely illustrated. Both the author and publishers are to be congratulated on publishing a book of this quality for such a reasonable price.”

“For those who wish to use this book for gaining knowledge of muscle contraction in line with dogmatic views, this book will be a rude surprise. However, for those who believe that interesting research is not to reinforce existing dogmas but to challenge them for the purpose of opening new frontiers, this book will be most exciting and attractive. In other words, this book is not for the faint-hearted who would like to believe whatever is written without asking questions, but for those who are independent thinkers.”

“Pollack states in his Preface, ‘At the very least, I hope this book reestablishes the legitimacy of controversy–for controversy, after all, is the life blood of science.’ In fact, this book might reestablish the legitimacy of controversy if individuals take the time to address his arguments… He challenges students and scientists to take a fresh look at the established dogma… most upper division undergraduates and graduate students could easily follow the arguments.”

“The opening sentence sets the tone of the book. ‘The field of muscle contraction is one in which controversy is absent,’ deliberately placed to ruffle the first feathers. But his writing style is good-humoured and lively, and few will want to put it down after reading the preface. (Do not start at the end and flick backwards – this work is to be read like a novel.)”