The Cell

Life Science Library

by John E. Pfeiffer

The cell: a bustling metropolis
Vital energy from a ray of light
The architect & the master builder
The first living thing on Earth
The marvel of specialization
The mechanics of muscle power
The message carriers
The cell in sickness & in health
Appendix
Bibliography
Index

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Matthew Harwood]

A really good and thorough introduction to the cell. This is a good read for anyone getting into biology and provides a good foundation.

[Chris Betts]

I moved house and found this little book in a box. I so nearly threw it out because of its age and condition. I don't remember how I came by it; not through school, or my nursing training, as it was published after I qualified. I thought it would be hopelessly out of date (it probably is) but I was amazed at what was already known in 1969 and tried to find out if it had been updated - apparently not - which is a shame, as it is truly fascinating. The clever and amusing cartoons explaining e.g. cell division and the function of enzymes enhanced the text, which I imagine was designed for students as a tantalising introduction to the subject, as it is written in plain, understandable text. A real gem of a book!

I wonder if the author/editors get to see reviews? I would love to ask him/them why it was never updated - or has it been, by a different title? The librarian in Waterford (Ireland) was unable to find anything about it at all. My husband is now reading it and enjoying it too, although he has no scientific background.

[Erik Graff]

Dad's mother, to me 'Nanny', started buying me books, educational books, usually series, in elementary school. Time-Life Corporation was the source of many of them, those arriving monthly until the series was complete. One of these series was what they called their 'Science Library', the volumes of which I passed on to my little brother when he became old enough to appreciate them.

Taking Biology during the freshman year at Maine Township South High School, this book on the cell was an attractive supplement to what we were learning from our rather dry and much less colorful textbook.