How do we become male or female? The X in Sex: How the X Chromosome Controls Our Lives, by David Bainbridge writes a compelling and enjoyable book that explains the X and Y Chromosomes having a profound impact on our lives, determining what sex we will be and also influencing how we live. Bainbridge takes readers into a neat over view of the X chromosome, mentioning its importance in the genetic makeup of the person. He makes an argument that the Y chromosome plays a more significant role in mediating subsequent sex differences. He uses exquisite analogies, and wit to provide the readers with some entertainment.

How the Chromosome Control Our Lives takes you back to history of the X chromosome and its influence on differences between sexes. The book is easily understood and is broken up into three main chapters. The first chapter, Making a Difference, reveals that Sry, a gene on the Y chromosome causes XY embryo to develop as male. He uses catching analogies revealing his humor, such as `Think of sex as a restaurant, with sex chromosomes for customers. This may not be the kind of the of restaurant you want to eat in, but bear with me.' He makes his point through a real life story connecting present day information with evidence and technology.

He then exceeds to his second Chapter, and explains why sex-linked conditions; Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, Hemophilia and colorblindness are more prevalent in males. This is because men only have one X, therefore they get one copy of each of its genes. He then goes on and tells us the effects, if one of these genes is damaged, significant changes can occur. The third chapter focuses on how the X dosage and X in activation influences female physiology, providing several images to help the reader understand somewhat complex information. Bainbridge makes great efforts to provide familiarities to all readers.

This book is highly recommended for all. It is very interesting and makes you want to further your reading on the same topic. David Bainbridge does an excellent job of describing how and why we live, in a very clear and somewhat challenging way.