false 6429264 1 <p><strong><strong>A renowned biochemist draws on cutting-edge scientific findings to construct the mosaic of life’s astounding history.</strong></strong> 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.<p /> 20 figures</p> 6618708 22 6 2009 Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution total:12|5:3|4:7|3:2|2:0|1:0| 12 49 58 7 3 0 false false Wed Sep 23 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Tue Sep 08 13:44:45 -0700 2009 Thu Sep 24 07:44:47 -0700 2009 1. The origin of life.
2. DNA
3. Photosynthesis
4. The complex cell
5. Sex
6. Movement
7. Sight
8. Hot blood
...more...]]> 0 0 false false Fri Jun 19 21:13:32 -0700 2009 Fri Jun 19 21:13:32 -0700 2009 The Guardian: Life's journey from primordial blob to planetary takeover involved a series of dramatic advances that first secured its tenure and then extended its living space. Each of these one-way steps represents a biochemical puzzle that may never be satisfactorily solved, but can at least be ex...more...]]> 3 0 false false Fri Jul 17 05:58:54 -0700 2009 Sat Jun 20 07:05:48 -0700 2009 Fri Jul 17 05:58:54 -0700 2009 Let's find out... This book might not answer those questions, and the descriptions may get a wee bit technical for some tastes (such as...more...]]> 4 0 false false Sun Nov 22 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Tue Nov 17 10:30:14 -0800 2009 Mon Nov 23 11:29:17 -0800 2009 discusses more recent advances with 1st chapter about the origins of life
now on DNA
writing style is good and makes things understandable to a point

interesting/informative throughout but some parts are fairly difficult]]> 0 0 false false Fri May 22 09:45:32 -0700 2009 Fri May 22 09:49:18 -0700 2009
http://www.the-scientist.com/news/displa...]]> 5 0 false false Fri Aug 28 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Mon Jul 27 21:34:13 -0700 2009 Fri Aug 28 11:42:59 -0700 2009 5 0 false false Fri Oct 02 00:00:00 -0700 2009 Wed Sep 02 14:57:07 -0700 2009 Fri Oct 02 12:38:49 -0700 2009 4 0 false false Wed Nov 25 20:08:13 -0800 2009 Wed Nov 25 20:08:13 -0800 2009 0 0 false false Tue Nov 24 20:17:00 -0800 2009 Tue Nov 24 20:17:00 -0800 2009 0 0 true false Tue Nov 17 20:22:45 -0800 2009 Tue Nov 17 20:23:15 -0800 2009 4 0 false false Tue Nov 17 00:00:00 -0800 2009 Tue Nov 17 11:30:25 -0800 2009 Tue Nov 17 11:30:48 -0800 2009 5 0 false false Fri Nov 13 23:03:23 -0800 2009 Fri Nov 13 23:03:23 -0800 2009 0 0 false false Tue Nov 10 18:02:07 -0800 2009 Tue Nov 10 18:02:31 -0800 2009 0 0 false false Sun Nov 08 06:43:57 -0800 2009 Sun Nov 08 06:44:03 -0800 2009 4 0 false false Fri Oct 30 10:58:26 -0700 2009 Fri Oct 30 10:58:26 -0700 2009 4 0 false false Thu Oct 29 17:14:52 -0700 2009 Thu Oct 29 17:14:52 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Sun Oct 25 23:34:46 -0700 2009 Sun Oct 25 23:34:50 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Sun Oct 04 19:00:10 -0700 2009 Sun Oct 04 19:00:16 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Fri Oct 02 11:30:12 -0700 2009 Fri Oct 02 11:30:12 -0700 2009 0 0 false false Thu Oct 01 17:10:50 -0700 2009 Mon Sep 28 16:19:04 -0700 2009 Thu Oct 01 17:10:50 -0700 2009 http://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/8?book_id=6429264