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Twins: And What They Tell Us About Who We Are
A New York Times Notable Book for 1998Critical acclaim for Lawrence Wright's
A Rhone-Poulenc Science Prize Finalist
""This is a book about far more than twins: it is about what twins can tell us about ourselves.""--The New York Times
""With plenty of amazing stories about the similarities and differences of twins, Wright respectfully shows, too, how their special circumstance in life challenges our notions of individuality. A truly fascinating but sometimes spooky (Mengele's experiments with twins at Auschwitz figure among Wright's examples) study.""--American Library Association
""Like so much of Wright's work, this book is a pleasure to read. Because he writes so well, without pushing a particular point of view, he soon has you pondering questions you have tended to comfortably ignore.""--Austin American-Statesman
""Informative and entertaining . . . a provocative subject well considered by a talented journalist.""--Kirkus Reviews
A Rhone-Poulenc Science Prize Finalist
""This is a book about far more than twins: it is about what twins can tell us about ourselves.""--The New York Times
""With plenty of amazing stories about the similarities and differences of twins, Wright respectfully shows, too, how their special circumstance in life challenges our notions of individuality. A truly fascinating but sometimes spooky (Mengele's experiments with twins at Auschwitz figure among Wright's examples) study.""--American Library Association
""Like so much of Wright's work, this book is a pleasure to read. Because he writes so well, without pushing a particular point of view, he soon has you pondering questions you have tended to comfortably ignore.""--Austin American-Statesman
""Informative and entertaining . . . a provocative subject well considered by a talented journalist.""--Kirkus Reviews
208 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1997
About the author
Lawrence Wright
74 books2,210 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Lawrence Wright is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American author, screenwriter, staff writer for The New Yorker magazine, and fellow at the Center for Law and Security at the New York University School of Law. He is a graduate of Tulane University, and for two years taught at the American University in Cairo in Egypt.
Wright graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School (Dallas, Texas) in 1965 and, in 2009, was inducted into Woodrow's Hall of Fame.
Wright is the author of six books, but is best known for his 2006 book, The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11. A quick bestseller, The Looming Tower was awarded the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize, the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, and is frequently referenced by media pundits as an excellent source of background information on Al Qaeda and the September 11 attacks. The book's title is a phrase from the Quran: "Wherever you are, death will find you, even in the looming tower," which Osama bin Laden quoted three times in a videotaped speech seen as directed to the 9/11 hijackers.
Among Wright's other books is Remembering Satan: A Tragic Case of Recovered Memory (1994), about the Paul Ingram false memory case. On June 7, 1996, Wright testified at Ingram's pardon hearing.
Wright also co-wrote the screenplay for the film The Siege (1998), which told the story of a terrorist attack in New York City that led to curtailed civil liberties and rounding up of Arab-Americans.
A script that Wright originally wrote for Oliver Stone was turned instead into a well-regarded Showtime movie, Noriega: God's Favorite (2000).
A documentary featuring Wright, My Trip to Al-Qaeda, premiered on HBO in September 2010. Based on his journeys and experience in the Middle East during his research for The Looming Tower, My Trip to Al-Qaeda covers topics ranging from the current state of the regime in Saudi Arabia to the historic underpinnings of 9/11.
Lawrence Wright is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American author, screenwriter, staff writer for The New Yorker magazine, and fellow at the Center for Law and Security at the New York University School of Law. He is a graduate of Tulane University, and for two years taught at the American University in Cairo in Egypt.
Wright graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School (Dallas, Texas) in 1965 and, in 2009, was inducted into Woodrow's Hall of Fame.
Wright is the author of six books, but is best known for his 2006 book, The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11. A quick bestseller, The Looming Tower was awarded the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize, the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, and is frequently referenced by media pundits as an excellent source of background information on Al Qaeda and the September 11 attacks. The book's title is a phrase from the Quran: "Wherever you are, death will find you, even in the looming tower," which Osama bin Laden quoted three times in a videotaped speech seen as directed to the 9/11 hijackers.
Among Wright's other books is Remembering Satan: A Tragic Case of Recovered Memory (1994), about the Paul Ingram false memory case. On June 7, 1996, Wright testified at Ingram's pardon hearing.
Wright also co-wrote the screenplay for the film The Siege (1998), which told the story of a terrorist attack in New York City that led to curtailed civil liberties and rounding up of Arab-Americans.
A script that Wright originally wrote for Oliver Stone was turned instead into a well-regarded Showtime movie, Noriega: God's Favorite (2000).
A documentary featuring Wright, My Trip to Al-Qaeda, premiered on HBO in September 2010. Based on his journeys and experience in the Middle East during his research for The Looming Tower, My Trip to Al-Qaeda covers topics ranging from the current state of the regime in Saudi Arabia to the historic underpinnings of 9/11.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Shelved as 'read-partially'
July 25, 2016Added 6/28/11
I read to page 60.
9/23/11 - I began reading this book about a week ago. Very interesting. I find that, by reading about how twins have inherited their traits, I can gain some insight about my own traits and where they came from.
10/12/11 - This book is due back at the library. I may get it again when I have more time to read it. I read to page 60.
Below are some excerpts which I copied from the book:
===============================================
p. 10: "... circumstances do not so much dictate the outcome of a person's life as they reflect the inner nature of the person living it."
p. 24:[B.F. Skinner] "believed that all behavior is genetically based... but he disputed the notion that there are separate traits for altruism or criminality or any other character trait." ... [Genes] "give us... the capacity to adapt to our environment."
p. 24: "Today, few on either side would argue that we are exclusively the creation of nature or the reflection of nurture."
==================================================
It's a complicated study with many statistics about the heritability of different characteristics, but at the same time it's fun to read, especially if one is interested in where our personalities and characteristics come from.
UPDATE - 7/25/16 - I read to page 111 but lost interest when the book seemed to get bogged down in statistics. Decided not to finish reading the book.
I read to page 60.
9/23/11 - I began reading this book about a week ago. Very interesting. I find that, by reading about how twins have inherited their traits, I can gain some insight about my own traits and where they came from.
10/12/11 - This book is due back at the library. I may get it again when I have more time to read it. I read to page 60.
Below are some excerpts which I copied from the book:
===============================================
p. 10: "... circumstances do not so much dictate the outcome of a person's life as they reflect the inner nature of the person living it."
p. 24:[B.F. Skinner] "believed that all behavior is genetically based... but he disputed the notion that there are separate traits for altruism or criminality or any other character trait." ... [Genes] "give us... the capacity to adapt to our environment."
p. 24: "Today, few on either side would argue that we are exclusively the creation of nature or the reflection of nurture."
==================================================
It's a complicated study with many statistics about the heritability of different characteristics, but at the same time it's fun to read, especially if one is interested in where our personalities and characteristics come from.
UPDATE - 7/25/16 - I read to page 111 but lost interest when the book seemed to get bogged down in statistics. Decided not to finish reading the book.
October 29, 2014
The big take away from this book is that there have been many studies and mounds of data but not much has been resolved on the mysteries of twins. What correlates winds up challenged by the next study and politics hangs over this particular nature vs. nurture debate.
Wright presents many anecdotes (alludes to data that is not shown) of the twins raised apart. These point to genes as a determining factor in many things about their lives. Does this mean that all the efforts of parents, teachers and communities mean nothing? Is a life determined by genes?
Since this book is from 1998, I read it along with a well linked Wikipedia article. While there are now more tools for twin researchers, it's hard for the layman to spot what progress has been made. For instance, Wright states that it was not known when twinning actually occurs; the Wikipedia article, to a lay person, seems to give the how and when.
The most interesting part was the new to me concept of the vanishing twin. In 1998, the estimate was that 1 in 13 single births began as twins. The remains of the second embryo might be found in the placenta or as an implant in the surviving embryo or just disappear. According to Wikipedia, the number is now estimated as 1 in 8.
I would like to see an up to date edition of this book, with the actual data of the most significant studies.
Wright presents many anecdotes (alludes to data that is not shown) of the twins raised apart. These point to genes as a determining factor in many things about their lives. Does this mean that all the efforts of parents, teachers and communities mean nothing? Is a life determined by genes?
Since this book is from 1998, I read it along with a well linked Wikipedia article. While there are now more tools for twin researchers, it's hard for the layman to spot what progress has been made. For instance, Wright states that it was not known when twinning actually occurs; the Wikipedia article, to a lay person, seems to give the how and when.
The most interesting part was the new to me concept of the vanishing twin. In 1998, the estimate was that 1 in 13 single births began as twins. The remains of the second embryo might be found in the placenta or as an implant in the surviving embryo or just disappear. According to Wikipedia, the number is now estimated as 1 in 8.
I would like to see an up to date edition of this book, with the actual data of the most significant studies.
June 4, 2009
I tore through this book in a few hours. Partly – unfortunately – because it’s rather a slight book, but also because it’s fascinating as hell. Lawrence Wright, a journalist, not only synthesises the current thinking about twins, but also uses them as a method to discuss the ever-contentious issue of nature vs. nurture.
Wright uncovers the fact that (compared to other areas of biology) not all that much is known about why twins are born, and most of what is known remains in dispute. This is partly because the tendency, over the last century, has been to use twins to study how genetics and environment affect people in general (i.e. “if one twin is raised by a low-income family and one twin is raised by a rich family, is the rich twin’s IQ higher?”). Widespread, in-depth studies that use twins to study twins have only emerged more recently.
Because this is a work of journalism, it’s a fairly easy read, with scientific jargon minimized. Unfortunately, the journalistic slant means that many twin studies are mentioned, but not much detail is included. The lack of footnotes also makes my academic soul weep, because following up some of the more interesting studies is made that much harder.
Twins is a really, really interesting read – I only wish it were longer, with more detail.
Wright uncovers the fact that (compared to other areas of biology) not all that much is known about why twins are born, and most of what is known remains in dispute. This is partly because the tendency, over the last century, has been to use twins to study how genetics and environment affect people in general (i.e. “if one twin is raised by a low-income family and one twin is raised by a rich family, is the rich twin’s IQ higher?”). Widespread, in-depth studies that use twins to study twins have only emerged more recently.
Because this is a work of journalism, it’s a fairly easy read, with scientific jargon minimized. Unfortunately, the journalistic slant means that many twin studies are mentioned, but not much detail is included. The lack of footnotes also makes my academic soul weep, because following up some of the more interesting studies is made that much harder.
Twins is a really, really interesting read – I only wish it were longer, with more detail.
August 3, 2012
Very readable and moderately insightful interpretation of twin data. Although this book makes a strong case for genetics (seeming to give an edge to nature in the nature vs. nurture debate), there is something that its argument fails to take into account. While it shows that genetics probably plays more of a role than environment when it comes to questions of IQ and baseline temperament, it does not take spirituality into account in the slightest. This is a serious failing, since active spiritual life has been shown to effect true and lasting change in individuals.
April 22, 2012
I found this book fascinating. I was particularly interested in Wright's take on how the results of twin studies have contributed over the last century to trends in politics, psychology, education etc. He presents this history as a sort of tug of war between behavioural geneticists and environmentalists, with both sides trying to prove stats of more than 50% influence. This book offers a very thought-provoking (albeit somewhat dated) examination of the Nature versus Nurture debate. Reading it caused me to re-assess many of my assumptions about inheritance.
May 12, 2011
Fascinating. Though the nature/nurture debate is not resolved, it is clear that we are definitely not born as "blank slates." This has important implications for parenting and for what we can - or can't - expect from ourselves and others. It has made me more gracious and accepting of friends' and family's limitations.
March 13, 2020
I should be rereading A Journal of the Plague Year, but this slim early book by Wright was welcomely distracting. The way Wright piles up anecdotes from psych scholarship makes it read, at times, like a really well written lit review. Though he peppers that review with some original reporting, this feels like second rate Janet Malcolm (not to mention second rate Wright). He also plays the objective journalist moderating the genetics versus environment question in psych and that is not at all a good look from 25 years down the line.
August 18, 2018
Reading this book in 2018 revealed that a lot has changed ... both scientifically and politically ... in the last 20 years. I would say that it is quite dated now. In addition, I found that the book could really use more organization, especially in the later chapters.
August 17, 2019
Another Larry Wright Tour de Force
I doubted that I would like this book as much as Looming Tower thinking it would be too fluffy. I was so wrong. Fascinating. Captivating. Brilliantly insightful.
I doubted that I would like this book as much as Looming Tower thinking it would be too fluffy. I was so wrong. Fascinating. Captivating. Brilliantly insightful.
October 27, 2018
As a twin this was a fascinating read. I now have a whole new outlook on my twin hood.
September 4, 2019
Interesting information about twins that was very helpful.
April 23, 2023
Comprehensive literature review of twin studies but limited understanding of how the notion of self and subjectivity is shaped.
March 11, 2023
Lawrence Wright's "Twins: And What They Tell Us About Who We Are" is a fascinating exploration of the science and psychology of twins. The book delves into the unique bond between twins and the insights that the study of twins can provide about human nature, genetics, and the environment.
The book is organized around various themes that relate to twins, including the development of twin studies, the nature versus nurture debate, and the impact of twins on popular culture. Wright weaves together personal stories of twins with scientific research and historical context, creating a rich and engaging narrative.
One of the strengths of the book is Wright's ability to explain complex scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging way. He draws on a wide range of research and interviews with experts in the field to explore the many mysteries of twins, including the factors that influence their physical and psychological development.
Another notable aspect of the book is its exploration of the unique bond between twins. Wright describes the close relationship between twins as a "secret language," and he provides many examples of twins who seem to share a deep emotional and psychological connection.
However, some readers may find that the book lacks a clear thesis or overarching argument. While Wright covers many interesting and important topics related to twins, the book can at times feel disjointed and lacking in focus.
Overall, "Twins: And What They Tell Us About Who We Are" is a well-written and engaging exploration of the science and psychology of twins. Wright's accessible writing style and the breadth of research he draws on make this book an enjoyable and informative read for anyone interested in the mysteries of human nature.
The book is organized around various themes that relate to twins, including the development of twin studies, the nature versus nurture debate, and the impact of twins on popular culture. Wright weaves together personal stories of twins with scientific research and historical context, creating a rich and engaging narrative.
One of the strengths of the book is Wright's ability to explain complex scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging way. He draws on a wide range of research and interviews with experts in the field to explore the many mysteries of twins, including the factors that influence their physical and psychological development.
Another notable aspect of the book is its exploration of the unique bond between twins. Wright describes the close relationship between twins as a "secret language," and he provides many examples of twins who seem to share a deep emotional and psychological connection.
However, some readers may find that the book lacks a clear thesis or overarching argument. While Wright covers many interesting and important topics related to twins, the book can at times feel disjointed and lacking in focus.
Overall, "Twins: And What They Tell Us About Who We Are" is a well-written and engaging exploration of the science and psychology of twins. Wright's accessible writing style and the breadth of research he draws on make this book an enjoyable and informative read for anyone interested in the mysteries of human nature.
February 7, 2013
If you are a parent of twins, a twin yourself, or just interested in how the whole twin thing works, you will really enjoy this book. It discusses many twin studies (including the scary Nazi ones by Menegle and the Dr from the 60's who believed twins should be adopted separately since raising twins was stressful for the parents and even, theorized that being twins was stressful for the twins themselves). I told Rainy and Iz about this and they were horrified and said it's terrible to separate twins and that they love being identical twins. Studies they've done have found all sorts of interesting things that appear to somehow be heritable. They studied twins raised together and and apart and found that identical twins raised apart (no matter how different the families) as much (if not more) alike than identical twins reared together and that no fraternal twins raised together were more alike than the identical twins raised apart. So yeah, all sorts of fascinating stuff. As well as what might cause the single zygote to split (don't ask Mike his theory!), if the splitting has an effect on the two babies, etc.
September 17, 2008
This is an older book, early 90s I believe, but presents some thought provoking studies that examine the nature/nuture boundaries.
Tho current theories present the balance as 50-50, the information makes a strong case for nature's dominance over folks. As a therapist I found myself in a bit of an existential quandry! If behaviors as innocuous-seeming as the habit of pushing up one's nose, or, as life-defining as marrying a woman named Sue are pre-determined, what's left for influence?
Professionally I console myself with the thought that in my field there is room to support a person living up to their inherent potential-which may vary greatly.
On another, metaphysical plane I enjoyed considering how the near identical life courses of these separated twins may be the result of a shared meaning/spiritual journey that supercedes biology or psychology. Or perhaps an intangible connection between the twins exists, allowing parallels to take place.
It's a fun, quick read.
Tho current theories present the balance as 50-50, the information makes a strong case for nature's dominance over folks. As a therapist I found myself in a bit of an existential quandry! If behaviors as innocuous-seeming as the habit of pushing up one's nose, or, as life-defining as marrying a woman named Sue are pre-determined, what's left for influence?
Professionally I console myself with the thought that in my field there is room to support a person living up to their inherent potential-which may vary greatly.
On another, metaphysical plane I enjoyed considering how the near identical life courses of these separated twins may be the result of a shared meaning/spiritual journey that supercedes biology or psychology. Or perhaps an intangible connection between the twins exists, allowing parallels to take place.
It's a fun, quick read.
October 28, 2015
I am a twin. Reading this book gave me the creeps at times. I felt a bit like a lab rat under scrutiny. Chill, researchers! We are people too!
I admit I want to bug all the singletons I know now. "The fantasized twin that we carry in our minds is not only an idealized partner in the experience of being who we are, he is also a means of escape from the life we are living." Seriously? Weird.
Overall, good questions and insight into society, biology, and nature vs nurture.
In the news: http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-...
I admit I want to bug all the singletons I know now. "The fantasized twin that we carry in our minds is not only an idealized partner in the experience of being who we are, he is also a means of escape from the life we are living." Seriously? Weird.
Overall, good questions and insight into society, biology, and nature vs nurture.
In the news: http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-...
April 1, 2014
Interesting book, lots of info about how genes and enviornment make us what we are.
Also interesting is how biased many "scientists" are.
They decide, probably based on their personal political views,
whether genes or enviornment are more significant,
then twist the data to fit their weltansicht.
This author has written a number of good books
Also interesting is how biased many "scientists" are.
They decide, probably based on their personal political views,
whether genes or enviornment are more significant,
then twist the data to fit their weltansicht.
This author has written a number of good books
January 20, 2016
This is a rather scholarly examination into the implications of "twin-ness" on the meaning of what makes each of us unique. While providing intriguing examples of stories of twins, it also delves rather heavily into the statistics of twin studies, which can be a tad mind-numbing. In the nature-vs-nurture debate it seems to end in a tie.
October 12, 2016
Some interesting information, ideas and conclusions. Elegant writing, a bit heavy for a pop culture kind of reader like me, but making science accessible. I would recommend adding subheadings. It's a bit limited in its opinions as it doesn't see the whole picture of intelligent design, unfortunately. Still, some great insights.
January 12, 2017
As the father of twins, this book was both illuminating in its insights and pure drivel in some of its conclusions. That being said, while some of the content is dated, this book does continue to beg the question: What does individuality mean to twins? Truly a fascinating topic that us Singletons will never fully be able to understand.
May 21, 2008
Who we really are
This is more than simply book about identical twins - something very rare. This is really a book about every one of us. Want to understand where you came from and where you are going? Here's a great place to start learning.
This is more than simply book about identical twins - something very rare. This is really a book about every one of us. Want to understand where you came from and where you are going? Here's a great place to start learning.
November 10, 2015
Fascinating data on twin studies
February 4, 2014
This is a fascinating book that I read because there are twins in our family, but the book is so much more. I actually can't stop thinking about it.
December 11, 2014
Although it is well written I didn't like all of it. It is interesting in many ways and since I have twins I found some of it informative but over all I did not enjoy it as I thought I might.
Read
May 6, 2017Although a very slim book, it is fascinating, intriguing and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in genetics or psychology.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews