University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

Operators and Promoters describes the birth and early development of the field of molecular biology. Written by Hatch Echols and edited by Carol Gross, two scientists who made significant contributions to the field, this book explains the key experiments and the scientists who were responsible for them. Descriptions of the philosophy behind important advances, as well as the sometimes accidental nature of discovery, provide a clear picture of the process of scientific inquiry. Echols captures the personalities of the scientists and the atmosphere surrounding this exciting time. I was privileged to meet many of these scientists later in their careers, and it was inspiring to read about how they established the field I work in.