Machina Carnis: The Biochemistry of Muscular Contraction in Its Historical Development

Abstract

Dorothy Needham's study of the historical development of the biochemistry of muscular contraction has resulted in a book that is long, very important, elegantly illustrated, magnificently produced, intelligently indexed, and very expensive. In form and style the book is an interpretative review of the relatively recent literature to a greater extent than it is a historical study. The superb bibliography contains more than 3,000 citations; more than a third of them refer to articles published in the 1960's; fewer than 10% refer to work published prior to 1920. Such a review necessarily encompasses a great deal of abstruse material. Many details and even many major themes will elude the reader who is not a biochemist. Yet Mrs. Needham always attempts to explain and interpret the meaning and significance of the findings that she describes; in this task she is aided by her chronological and historical approach. The general reader willing

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