Life Ascending

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, including DNA, sex, sight and consciousness, based on their historical impact, role in living organisms today and relevance to current controversies. Lane also explains how these findings have come about, and the extent to which they can be relied upon. The result is a vivid, gripping and lucid account of the ingenuity of nature, and a book which is essential for anyone who has wondered at how we came to be here.

ISBN 1861978189   DEWEY edition DC22 ISBN13 9781861978189 (What's this?)   Pages 224 Publisher Profile Books Ltd   Published in London Imprint Profile Books Ltd   Previous ISBN 9781861978486 Format Paperback   Height (mm) 198 Publication date 07 Jan 2010   Width (mm) 129 DEWEY 576.8   Academic level General

"'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"

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