One. Starting Out
Pauling immediately emphasizes the role of early curiosity and independent thinking in shaping a scientist. He highlights that the interest in science begins not with formal education, but with observations, experiments, and the desire to understand why the world is arranged the way it is. What matters is not the ideal starting position, but persistence, the ability to ask questions, and not being afraid of mistakes.
Two. What Is Chemistry?
Chemistry is described as the fundamental science of the structure and behavior of matter at the molecular level. Pauling emphasizes that all biological processes—health, disease, aging—ultimately have a chemical nature. Understanding chemical bonds and molecular interactions is key to comprehending human physiology and developing evidence-based medicine.
Three. Education in Science
The author criticizes rote learning and emphasizes that true scientific education should teach thinking, not repetition. Pauling insists on the importance of deep understanding of principles, interdisciplinarity, and early involvement of students in research work. Without the development of critical thinking and intellectual honesty, science degrades into a set of dogmas.
Four. Probing the Chemical Bond
Pauling shows that the chemical bond is the key to understanding the properties of substances and biological structures. He explains that the shape, strength, and behavior of molecules are determined by the distribution of electrons, not by abstract formulas. It is the deciphering of the chemical bond that allowed for the understanding of the structure of proteins, DNA, and enzymes, laying the foundation for molecular biology and medicine.
Five. Messages in the Blood
Blood is viewed as a carrier of a complex system of chemical signals. Hormones, ions, metabolites, and other molecules transmit information between organs, regulating growth, immunity, and metabolism. Pauling emphasizes that even slight changes in the concentrations of these substances can lead to serious functional disorders, and disease often begins with a chemical imbalance.
Six. Proteins Revealed
Proteins are presented as the central working molecules of life, whose structure determines cell function. Pauling explains that the spatial form of a protein determines its activity, and that even small distortions in structure can lead to diseases. Understanding the structure of proteins has opened the way for targeted interventions in the biochemistry of the body through nutrition and molecular interventions.
Seven. Atomic Politics
Pauling views science as a force that inevitably becomes political when its discoveries affect the fates of millions of people. He shows how nuclear physics was torn from the context of pure science and put to the service of military power. A scientist, in his opinion, cannot hide behind neutrality: understanding the consequences of atomic technologies imposes a moral obligation to intervene and warn society.
Eight. The Perils of Fallout
Radioactive fallout is described as a slow and hidden threat to health, especially for children and future generations. Pauling emphasizes that even small doses of radiation, accumulating over time, increase the risk of mutations, cancer, and developmental disorders. He criticizes attempts to downplay the danger and insists that the biological effects of radiation cannot be viewed in isolation from molecular and genetic reality.
Nine. Apostle of Peace
In this part, Pauling reveals himself not as a chemist, but as a public figure for whom the protection of life has become a logical continuation of scientific thinking. He explains that the struggle for peace is not an ideology, but a rational choice based on an understanding of the consequences of war for biology, ecology, and the future of humanity. Peace, according to Pauling, is a necessary condition for the survival of civilization and science itself.
Ten. Mind and Molecules
Pauling links the workings of the mind directly to molecular processes in the brain. Thoughts, emotions, behavior, and mental disorders are viewed as consequences of the balance of neurotransmitters, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. He emphasizes that psychiatry cannot be separated from biochemistry, and that many "mental" problems have quite specific molecular causes that can be corrected through nutrition and nutrients.
Eleven. Vitamin Crusader
Here, Pauling openly states his position in defense of orthomolecular medicine. He argues that vitamins—especially vitamin C—play a key role in the prevention and treatment of diseases when used in optimal, rather than minimal, doses. He explains the resistance of the medical establishment as a result of inertia of thought and economic interests, emphasizing that clinical observations and biochemical logic support a nutritional approach.
Twelve. The Nucleus of Controversy
Pauling analyzes the reasons for scientific and public conflicts surrounding his ideas. He shows that disputes arise not from a lack of data, but from a clash of paradigms: the reductionist pharmacological model and the molecular-nutritional view of health. The author emphasizes that science develops precisely through such conflicts, and that the rejection of new ideas is often a sign of their pioneering nature rather than their erroneousness.
