Jason read and liked Kristen's review of Gen-e-sis: The Scientific Quest for Life's Origins:

"I suppose I should write a review for this book since I see one is desperately needed!

Genesis is a very accessible introduction to the main theories of abiogenesis. Hazen's background is in geology, so needless to say the book tends to ...more I suppose I should write a review for this book since I see one is desperately needed!

Genesis is a very accessible introduction to the main theories of abiogenesis. Hazen's background is in geology, so needless to say the book tends to focus on minerals' role in the formation of life on Earth, but he provides a decent overview of all major emergence theories with very little bias. The books starts at the very beginning with the formation of complex molecules and ends with the RNA-world theory (which he doesn't really go into.) The bulk of the book focuses on the area in between, the emergence of metabolism and self-replicating systems from prebiotic chemicals and how these process possibly came together.

Genesis is one of those rare popular science books that is understandable to even the most scientifically illiterate, without feeling dumbed down for those already familiar with the subject. Perhaps some of the sections describing his experiments are a bit dry but overall this was certainly the best science book I've read this year and answered many of my question regarding the origins of life.

In fact this book was so accessible it made me mad because the people who would most benefit from this book won't read it. Like my evolution-denying friend (the one who once said "if evolution is true why can't trees talk?) I've pimped this book relentlessly since it not only answers the bulk of the questions he's put to me during our drunken debates but does so in a manner far less hostile than I'm capable of. Of course he'll never read it but I'm sure all my GR buddies will love it.(less) "