May 24, 1967

Mr. Leon Shimkin, President
Simon & Schuster, Inc.

630 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10020

Dear Mr. Shimkin:

For some time I have been writing a commentary on science and human affairs
which appears weekly in The Washington Post and has begun to be syndicated to
gome other newapapers throughout the world. I have also had in mind the pos-
sibility of collecting these contributions from time to time for a more durable
form of pubdlication, preferably a paperback which might be available through
both trade and college book channels. Much of the impetus for the treatment of
thia subject is expressed in a course that I Bive to Stanford undergraduates,
and a nunber of instructors have commented that they would find some source
material extremely useful if they were to attempt 4 similar treatment.

You already have guessed that I am asking you to consider this project for pub-
licati¢ey under your own imprint. I have already been approached by a number

of other publishers, but before making 4 decision on such an important question

I thought I should invite a few comments on my own initiative. If you were
interested in this project I would first of all esk your advice on certain options;
for example, the most appropriate size for the first book of this kind, keeping

in mind the possibility of further collections in the future if my ideas don't

run out.

I am enclosing a number of the columns that have appeared during the last yeer,
together wifh a sample of some other writings of similar intent but different
format. What I had in mind for a book is a collection that would consist almost
entirely of this material, which has been published previously in separate form.
I would make a modest number of editorial changes and annotations, and in some
cases furnish reference bibliography. I had in mind to organize the various
articles under perhaps half a dozen subject headings, and to write some intro-
ductory material for each of these chapters. In addition, I would put ina
preface or a biographical note, or some sort of apologia for being involved in
this kind of writing.

My main concern is to promote the distribution of the book to the several
audiences that might be interested in it, and at the same time retain the utmost
dignity and restraint in the advertising and the appearance of the book.

I would very much appreciate the courtesy of an early reply, if this is pobsible,
since I may have to fend off some alternative options. I will, however, be out
of the country until June 7.

YLLAS bh WOWIS
Mr. Leon Shimkin May 24, 1967
Page 2

I would be quite prepared to heed good advice on whether to proceed fairly
soon, or to continue to accumulate a number of additional pleces before col-
lecting them for a book. I would, I believe, be able to complete the necessary
editorial work comfortably within eixty days, and possibly within thirty, after
agreeing upon a cut-off date.

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor $f Genetics
Dictated but not read by Dr. Lederberg

Enclosures