Awards

• Winner of Royal Society Prize for Science Books: General Prize 2010.
• Winner of Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books 2010 (UK)

Overview

Powerful new research methods are providing fresh and vivid insights into the makeup of life. Comparing gene sequences, examining the atomic structure of proteins and looking into the geochemistry of rocks have all helped to explain creation and evolution in more detail than ever before. Nick Lane uses the full extent of this new knowledge to describe the ten greatest inventions of life, based on their historical impact, role in living organisms today and relevance to current controversies. DNA, sex, sight and consciousnesses are just four examples. Lane also explains how these findings have come about, and the extent to which they can be relied upon. The result is a gripping and lucid account of the ingenuity of nature, and a book which is essential reading for anyone who has ever questioned the science behind the glories of everyday life.

Full Product Details

9781861978189

Table of Contents

Reviews

'This is a science book that doesn't cheat: the structure is logical, the writing is witty, and the hard questions are tackled head on' Tim Radford, Guardian 'Original and awe-inspiring... an exhilarating tour of some of the most profound and important ideas in biology' Michael Le Page, New Scientist 'Excellent and imaginative and, similar to life itself, full of surprises... a fascinating book for anyone interested in life and evolution, and how these discoveries were made' Nature 'If Charles Darwin sprang from his grave, I would give him this fine book to bring him up to speed. It's a breathless bulletin from the accelerating rush of news about the secrets of life on planet earth.' Matt Ridley

Author Information

Nick Lane studied biochemistry at Imperial College, London and is an honorary reader at University College, London. His first book, Oxygen, was one of the Sunday Times Books of the Year in 2002. His last book, Power, Sex, Suicide was named as a book of the year in The Economist in 2005 and was short-listed for The Aventis Science Book Prize and the Times Higher Young Academic of the Year Award in 2006.

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