Title: Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution
Author: Nick Lane
First published June 22, 2009
352 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780393065961 (ISBN10: 0393065960)
Rating: 4.11
Overview
Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution by Nick Lane delves into the fascinating history of life on Earth. With the help of advanced scientific research, Lane presents a comprehensive mosaic of life’s astounding evolution.
How did life come into existence? Where did DNA originate from?
How did consciousness develop? These are some of the intriguing questions that Lane expertly answers in this book.
By comparing gene sequences, examining atomic structures of proteins, and exploring the geochemistry of rocks, Lane explains evolution in more detail than ever before. He describes the ten greatest inventions of evolution, such as DNA, photosynthesis, sex, and sight, based on their historical impact, current relevance, and role in organisms.
Lane reveals how the simplest of things, such as light-sensitive spots in algae, led to the evolution of complex structures like the human eye. He also uncovers how DNA’s building blocks form spontaneously in hydrothermal vents.
Life Ascending is a gripping and lucid account of nature’s ingenuity that is essential reading for anyone who has ever pondered or questioned the science underlying evolution’s greatest gifts to man.
About the Author
Meet Dr. Nick Lane, a British biochemist and writer who has made significant contributions to the field of evolutionary biochemistry and bioenergetics. At University College London, where he is a Reader in Evolutionary Biochemistry, Dr. Lane was awarded the first Provost’s Venture Research Prize in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment.
His research focuses on the origin of life and the evolution of complex cells. He also helped found the UCL Consortium for Mitochondrial Research and is leading the UCL Research Frontiers Origins of Life programme.
Dr. Lane is the author of three highly praised books on evolutionary biochemistry that have sold over 100,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into 20 languages. His first book, Oxygen: The Molecule that Made the World, explores the intricate relationship between life and our planet, and how adaptations to oxygen influence our lives and deaths.
Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life, Dr. Lane’s second book, delves into the profound effects that mitochondria have had on complex life’s evolution. His most recent book, Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution, celebrates life’s inventiveness and our ability to reconstruct its history.
The book won the 2010 Royal Society Prize for Science Books and was named a Book of the Year by New Scientist, Nature, the Times and the Independent.
Dr. Lane’s next book, The Vital Question, is set to be published in 2015 by Norton and Profile. It will tackle a significant issue in biology: why did complex life arise only once in four billion years, and why does all complex life share so many peculiar properties, from sex and speciation to senescence?
Dr. Lane has published peer-reviewed articles in top international journals, including Nature, Science and Cell, and his features have appeared in magazines like New Scientist and Scientific American. He has made numerous appearances on TV and radio and speaks at schools, literary and science festivals.
He previously worked in the pharmaceutical industry and was ultimately Strategic Director of Medi Cine, a medical multimedia company based in London, where he developed interactive approaches to medical education.
Dr. Lane is married to Dr. Ana Hidalgo-Simon and has two sons, Eneko and Hugo. When he’s not working, he enjoys playing the fiddle in London pubs with the Celtic ensemble Probably Not or exploring Romanesque churches.
Editoral Review
Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution is a non-fiction book written by Nick Lane, first published on June 22, 2009. This book is an enlightening and well-researched account of the ten most significant innovations of evolution that have shaped life on Earth.
Nick Lane is a biochemist and writer who is known for his ability to convey complex scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging manner. In Life Ascending, he takes readers on a fascinating journey through the history of life on Earth, exploring the ten key innovations of evolution that have made life possible.
The book begins with the origin of life itself and proceeds to examine the evolution of DNA, photosynthesis, the eukaryotic cell, sex, movement, sight, hot blood, consciousness, and death. Lane provides detailed explanations of each of these innovations and how they have impacted life on Earth, as well as exploring their potential implications for the future.
One of the strengths of this book is Lane’s ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a general audience without oversimplifying or dumbing down the material. His writing style is engaging and informative, and his use of analogies and examples helps to clarify difficult concepts.
Another strength of this book is the way in which Lane connects the story of evolution to broader themes in human history and culture. He shows how the innovations of evolution have shaped our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, and how they continue to influence our lives today.
Overall, Life Ascending is an excellent book for anyone interested in the history of life on Earth, evolution, or the intersection of science and culture. It is well-written, engaging, and informative, and it provides a fascinating look at the ten great inventions of evolution that have shaped the world we live in today.
I highly recommend it.
Rating: 4.5/5
