W. H. FREEMAN AND COMPANY 5] PUBLISHERS

660 MARKET STREET, SAN FRANCISCO 4, CALIFORNIA « TELEPHONE: YUKON 6-5115

January 2, 1958

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Genetics Building

The University of Wisconsin
Madison 6, Wisconsin

Dear Joshua:

When I read the enclosure by Garrett Hardin, I recalled
our little post-—luncheon bull session of a year ago on the
steps of the Biochemistry Building. It seems to me that each
of you has a point to make and that both points, although they
seem diametrically opposed, are valuable. As you would hope
and work for a greater preciseness of meaning in the written
word, with justification, Garrett has a damned good case, I
think, in his plea for more "unclarity".

Thanks for the latest “progress report", Bear in mind
that I do not want to push you. It is simply that you have
said that the book will justify a fast production schedule.
We will have, these coming eighteen months, the heaviest pro-
duction load we have ever had, I want very much to see your
desires and the needs of the book satisfied. This will
require planning. (Furthermore, I think it might be a very
worth-while idea to send your little manuscript to one reader
--~Ssomeone who has perspective, authority, and judgment--such
as Curt Stern or George Beadle. Let me have your opinion of
this, for even though it might delay publication for a month,
it might also be in the long run extra insurance that the
book will stand up to the critics and maintain longer its
usefulness, )

My best wishes to the two of you for the New Year. I am
hoping that April will get me to Madison for a visit with you,
or that something will bring either or both of you to the
Bay area long enough for you to have a visit with us.

Sincerely yours,

J Aa ea 7

WHF :mc
Enclosure