“Original and awe-inspiring . . . an exhilarating tour of some of the most profound and important ideas in biology.”— New Scientist
Where does DNA come from? What is consciousness? How did the eye evolve? Drawing on a treasure trove of new scientific knowledge, Nick Lane expertly reconstructs evolution’s history by describing its ten greatest inventions—from sex and warmth to death—resulting in a stunning account of nature’s ingenuity.
Review
The emergence of life itself remains obscure. But as Lane shows with clarity and vigor, fascinating studies on the subject abound.
Nick Lane is a biochemist in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London, and leads the UCL Origins of Life Program. He was awarded the 2015 Biochemical Society Award for his outstanding contribution to the molecular life sciences. He is the author of Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution, which won the 2010 Royal Society Prize for Science Books, as well as Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life and Oxygen: The Molecule that Made the World. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
Review
If Charles Darwin sprang from his grave, I would give him this fine book to bring him up to speed. --Matt Ridley, author of The Red Queen --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
Description:
“Original and awe-inspiring . . . an exhilarating tour of some of the most profound and important ideas in biology.”— New Scientist
Where does DNA come from? What is consciousness? How did the eye evolve? Drawing on a treasure trove of new scientific knowledge, Nick Lane expertly reconstructs evolution’s history by describing its ten greatest inventions—from sex and warmth to death—resulting in a stunning account of nature’s ingenuity.
Review
The emergence of life itself remains obscure. But as Lane shows with clarity and vigor, fascinating studies on the subject abound.
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. In this wonderful book, Lane ( Power, Sex, Suicide ), a biochemist at University College London, asks an intriguing and simple question: what were the great biological inventions that led to Earth as we know it. (He is quick to point out that by œinvention,' he refers to nature's own creativity, not to intelligent design.) Lane argues that there are 10 such inventions and explores the evolution of each. Not surprisingly, each of the 10—the origin of life, the creation of DNA, photosynthesis, the evolution of complex cells, sex, movement, sight, warm bloodedness, consciousness and death—is intricate, its origins swirling in significant controversy. Drawing on cutting-edge science, Lane does a masterful job of explaining the science of each, distinguishing what is fairly conclusively known and what is currently reasonable conjecture. At times he presents some shocking but compelling information. For example, one of the light-sensitive pigments in human eyes probably arose first in algae, where it can still be found today helping to maximize photosynthesis. While each of Lane's 10 subjects deserves a book of its own, they come together to form an elegant, fully satisfying whole. 20 illus. (June)
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About the Author
Nick Lane is a biochemist in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London, and leads the UCL Origins of Life Program. He was awarded the 2015 Biochemical Society Award for his outstanding contribution to the molecular life sciences. He is the author of Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution, which won the 2010 Royal Society Prize for Science Books, as well as Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life and Oxygen: The Molecule that Made the World. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
Review
If Charles Darwin sprang from his grave, I would give him this fine book to bring him up to speed. --Matt Ridley, author of The Red Queen --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.