The Epigenetics Revolution and The Astonishing Hypothesis; The Scientific Search for the Soul

The Epigenetics Revolution:
How Modern Biology is Rewriting Our Understanding of Genetics, Disease, and Inheritance -by Nessa Carey
 Accurate title. Pushing hard on my comprehension of molecular biology and genetics, but I think I'm getting the essence of what she is saying. Genes that express proteins are just the beginning of understanding what happens to our bodies in development and later life. Explosion of data and knowledge in this area. The complexity of the processes described in detail here make it hard to believe that anyone ever grows up without major defects. Nature has evolved some really clever ways to balance conflicting biochemical requirements and repair damage that occurs.Lots of jargon, but worth effort to grasp the ideas.

Also taking a top level look at the great Francis Crick's last book;
The Astonishing Hypothesis; The Scientific Search for the Soul.
 The hypothesis is that "You" ... are in fact no more than  the behavior of of a vast assembly of nerve cells and their associated molecules. Published in 1994, much progress in consciousness analysis, cognitive psychology and the brain sciences has been made since then , but his level headed, low hype approach to what was known at the time is the mark of a great scientist. Enjoying his clear writing and approach to interpreting research results. Also still a good primer about the brain and neurons. He does NOT make the claim that he has proved the hypothesis.
 "The Mind is What the Brain Does" ???

AMAZON links to reviews and samples;

http://www.amazon.com/Epigenetics-Revolution-Rewriting-Understanding-Inheritance/dp/0231161166/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364224839&sr=1-1&keywords=nessa+carey+-+the+epigenetics+revolution

http://www.amazon.com/Astonishing-Hypothesis-Scientific-Search-Soul/dp/0684801582/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364224897&sr=1-3&keywords=Crick+francis