Twins: An Uncanny Relationship

Identical twins provide a unique opportunity for human genetic research: two individuals who are genetically the same and whose differences must be due to their environment. The ultimate experiment for such research is the study of identical twins who were separated at birth and reared in completely different homes. The scientists at the University of Minnesota have discovered sixteen such pairs of siblings, and the results of their inquiries have stirred worldwide interest.

This is one of the best books on Twins and the similarities and differences between them and whether they are from nature or nurture. The only reason I did not rate the book 5 stars is because a few chapters are long and monotonous and I lost interest in them and because is keeps switching between the terms identical and fraternal and MZ (monozygotic) and DZ (dizogotic). The book should use either the first two OR the second two, not keep switching. Also it doesn't explain the heritability scores very well and I found them confusing. If you are not into the nature-nurture debate, you can just read the sections on the similarities between the separated at or near birth twins.

I've have just got done reading about 6 different books concerning identical twins, and this by far, is the best. Considering that this was the last one I read, that says a lot. The book had the most detailed and informative examples out of all the books I read. It also give wonderful illustration of the chances of certain circumstances and events happening in life as related to identical twins. The only drawback is that the book is 20 years old, and I wonder why the more recent books I've have read, that were published within the last 1-3 years, were less detailed. I would highly recommend this book.