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Describe your latest work. Blueprints of the Afterlife is a novel about the following things: giant heads that appear in the sky, a mystical... Continue »
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Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution

by Nick Lane

Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution Cover

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

How did life invent itself? Where did DNA come from? How did consciousness develop? Powerful new research methods are providing vivid insights into the makeup of life. Comparing gene sequences, examining atomic structures of proteins, and looking into the geochemistry of rocks have helped explain evolution in more detail than ever before. Nick Lane expertly reconstructs the history of life by describing the ten greatest inventions of evolution (including DNA, photosynthesis, sex, and sight), based on their historical impact, role in organisms today, and relevance to current controversies. Who would have guessed that eyes started off as light-sensitive spots used to calibrate photosynthesis in algae? Or that DNA's building blocks form spontaneously in hydrothermal vents? Lane gives a gripping, lucid account of nature's ingenuity, and the result is a work of essential reading for anyone who has ever pondered or questioned the science underlying evolution's greatest gifts to man.

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 'invention,' 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)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Synopsis:

A renowned biochemist draws on cutting-edge scientific findings to construct the mosaic of life's astounding history.

Synopsis:

'Original and awe-inspiring . . . an exhilarating tour of some of the most profound and important ideas in biology."New Scientist

Synopsis:

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.
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About the Author

Nick Lane is a biochemist and honorary reader at University College London, where he lives. His book Power, Sex, Suicide was named an Economist Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the Aventis Science Book Prize.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780393065961
Author:
Lane, Nick
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Subject:
General
Subject:
General science
Subject:
Evolution
Subject:
Life Sciences - Evolution
Subject:
Evolution (Biology)
Subject:
Molecular evolution
Subject:
Biology-Evolution
Copyright:
2009
Series Volume:
The Ten Great Invent
Publication Date:
April 2009
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
20 figures
Pages:
352
Dimensions:
9.6 x 6.5 x 1.2 in 1.17 lb
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Related Aisles

Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$18.50 In Stock
Product details 352 pages W. W. Norton & Company - English 9780393065961 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "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 'invention,' 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)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Synopsis" by , A renowned biochemist draws on cutting-edge scientific findings to construct the mosaic of life's astounding history.
"Synopsis" by , 'Original and awe-inspiring . . . an exhilarating tour of some of the most profound and important ideas in biology."New Scientist
"Synopsis" by , 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.
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