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Life's Engines: How Microbes Made Earth Habitable (Science Essentials) Hardcover – April 27, 2015
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The marvelous microbes that made life on Earth possible and support our very existence
For almost four billion years, microbes had the primordial oceans all to themselves. The stewards of Earth, these organisms transformed the chemistry of our planet to make it habitable for plants, animals, and us. Life's Engines takes readers deep into the microscopic world to explore how these marvelous creatures made life on Earth possible―and how human life today would cease to exist without them.
Paul Falkowski looks "under the hood" of microbes to find the engines of life, the actual working parts that do the biochemical heavy lifting for every living organism on Earth. With insight and humor, he explains how these miniature engines are built―and how they have been appropriated by and assembled like Lego sets within every creature that walks, swims, or flies. Falkowski shows how evolution works to maintain this core machinery of life, and how we and other animals are veritable conglomerations of microbes.
A vibrantly entertaining book about the microbes that support our very existence, Life's Engines will inspire wonder about these elegantly complex nanomachines that have driven life since its origin. It also issues a timely warning about the dangers of tinkering with that machinery to make it more "efficient" at meeting the ever-growing demands of humans in the coming century.
- Print length218 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPrinceton University Press
- Publication dateApril 27, 2015
- Dimensions6.3 x 0.8 x 9.5 inches
- ISBN-100691155372
- ISBN-13978-0691155371
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A work full of surprises. . . . Immensely rewarding."---Tim Flannery, New York Review of Books
"Entertaining, easy-to-read and historically rich."---Adrian Woolfson, Nature
"Personal stories, hard facts, and illuminative illustrations each contribute to this engaging examination of our microbial overlords . . . Paul Falkowski's decades of study in various earth and life sciences fuel this excellent addition. . . . Falkowski effectively uses analogies to convey abstract and complicated ideas."---Rachel Jagareski, Foreword Reviews
"Falkowski's loving examination sets out, life on this planet is organized by and for bacteria--the rest of us are just along for the ride."---Brian Bethune, Macleans
"Falkowski brings a formidable breadth of scientific understanding to the task of explaining this, having worked as a biologist, an oceanographer and an astrobiologist. He moves easily between biological and earth sciences to help us understand the steps microscopic single-celled organisms took to make the planet habitable." ― Cosmos
"[The] wonderful and awe-inspiring universe of the microbes, unseen creatures that have shaped the planet such that we may live in it, is engagingly presented by Paul Falkowski in a remarkable text entitled Life's Engines. . . . The book's success is its utter simplicity. It tells the story of the history of life on our planet from a very personal perspective. . . . I was so enthralled by this book from the get-go that I invite you to have a short taste of it."---Roberto Kolter, Cell
"A pleasure to read, the book touches on virtually every topic covered in a college biology curriculum by seamlessly weaving concepts with personal anecdotes and analogies. Presenting scientific facts and the fascinating history of their discovery, Falkowski (Rutgers Univ.) intersperses evolutionary theory with biochemistry, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, anatomy, and even anthropology and economics. He also presents a fact-based, nonpolitical vision for the future of biotechnology. . . . This reviewer came away inspired to learn more. Easily understood by anyone with a passing knowledge of science, this volume poses innumerable questions for further investigation." ― Choice
"What is known about the hidden world of the microbes and their fundamental roles in sustaining planetary habitability is insightfully revealed by Paul Falkowski in this authoritative, comprehensive, and delightful book. The author is uniquely qualified, perhaps singularly so, to cover topics ranging over broad time and space scales with a scholarly, transdisciplinary perspective that ranges from fundamental physics and chemistry, to Earth and ocean sciences. I cannot think of any other scientist who would accept such a challenge. . . . He is a gifted scientist and writer, and legendary storyteller."---David M. Karl, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin
"Not a microbial biologist, I approached this book with a bit of trepidation, imaging lengthy discussions of biochemistry. Instead, I was immediately engaged by Falkowski's conversational, fluid writing, personal anecdotes, and interesting choice of topics. . . . Life's Engines [is] easily accessible to the lay reader but engaging for the scientist as well." ― American Biology Teacher
"An outstanding attempt to popularize the role of microbes, especially bacteria and archaea, in making multicellular eukaryotic life possible. . . . A superb introduction to the broader consequences of life and its study."---Elof Axel Carlson, Quarterly Review of Biology
Review
"In this brilliant book, Falkowski explores the hidden world of microbes from the intertwined perspectives of a researcher deeply versed in both Earth and life sciences, taking us on an epic journey from the origins of life to the birth of our own species. Life's Engines is an engaging, revelatory read."―Robert M. Hazen, author of The Story of Earth
"In this engaging book, Paul Falkowski presents an authoritative and highly personal account of microbes, the tiny organisms that shape the world. From the inner workings of the cell to the broad sweep of Earth history, Falkowski weaves a tale of discovery that has profound consequences for understanding our past, our future, and, not least, our own bodies."―Andrew H. Knoll, Harvard University and author of Life on a Young Planet: The First Three Billion Years of Evolution on Earth
"This is a microbial world, and we live here subject to microbial consent. In this perceptive and intriguing work, noted biophysicist and evolutionary biologist Paul Falkowski provides a grand tour of the intricacies of microbial life, from how they function to their role in making this a habitable planet. Falkowski has had a remarkable research career, and the rich diversity of his work provides a wonderful framework for this book."―Douglas H. Erwin, author of Extinction: How Life on Earth Nearly Ended 250 Million Years Ago
"Life's Engines provides a unique perspective on the micro and macro worlds that comprise the living Earth system. A very good read."―Edward F. DeLong, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"Life's Engines is a distinct, engaging, and very worthwhile contribution."―Roger Summons, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
From the Inside Flap
"In this brilliant book, Falkowski explores the hidden world of microbes from the intertwined perspectives of a researcher deeply versed in both Earth and life sciences, taking us on an epic journey from the origins of life to the birth of our own species.Life s Engines is an engaging, revelatory read."--Robert M. Hazen, author ofThe Story of Earth
"Falkowski reminds us that we are living off the kindness of strangers--small ones, the microbes that are the very foundation of all life on this planet. He describes a hidden world of extraordinary complexity, taking us through the great discoveries that have taught us the rules. Life's Engines is a treasure trove of science and history that sounds a strong cautionary note about our future."--Martin J. Blaser, author ofMissing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues
"In this engaging book, Paul Falkowski presents an authoritative and highly personal account of microbes, the tiny organisms that shape the world. From the inner workings of the cell to the broad sweep of Earth history, Falkowski weaves a tale of discovery that has profound consequences for understanding our past, our future, and, not least, our own bodies."--Andrew H. Knoll, Harvard University and author ofLife on a Young Planet: The First Three Billion Years of Evolution on Earth
"This is a microbial world, and we live here subject to microbial consent. In this perceptive and intriguing work, noted biophysicist and evolutionary biologist Paul Falkowski provides a grand tour of the intricacies of microbial life, from how they function to their role in making this a habitable planet. Falkowski has had a remarkable research career, and the rich diversity of his work provides a wonderful framework for this book."--Douglas H. Erwin, author ofExtinction: How Life on Earth Nearly Ended 250 Million Years Ago
"Life s Engines provides a unique perspective on the micro and macro worlds that comprise the living Earth system. A very good read."--Edward F. DeLong, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"Life s Engines is a distinct, engaging, and very worthwhile contribution."--Roger Summons, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
From the Back Cover
"In this brilliant book, Falkowski explores the hidden world of microbes from the intertwined perspectives of a researcher deeply versed in both Earth and life sciences, taking us on an epic journey from the origins of life to the birth of our own species. Life's Engines is an engaging, revelatory read."--Robert M. Hazen, author of The Story of Earth
"Falkowski reminds us that we are living off the kindness of strangers--small ones, the microbes that are the very foundation of all life on this planet. He describes a hidden world of extraordinary complexity, taking us through the great discoveries that have taught us the rules. Life's Engines is a treasure trove of science and history that sounds a strong cautionary note about our future."--Martin J. Blaser, author of Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues
"In this engaging book, Paul Falkowski presents an authoritative and highly personal account of microbes, the tiny organisms that shape the world. From the inner workings of the cell to the broad sweep of Earth history, Falkowski weaves a tale of discovery that has profound consequences for understanding our past, our future, and, not least, our own bodies."--Andrew H. Knoll, Harvard University and author of Life on a Young Planet: The First Three Billion Years of Evolution on Earth
"This is a microbial world, and we live here subject to microbial consent. In this perceptive and intriguing work, noted biophysicist and evolutionary biologist Paul Falkowski provides a grand tour of the intricacies of microbial life, from how they function to their role in making this a habitable planet. Falkowski has had a remarkable research career, and the rich diversity of his work provides a wonderful framework for this book."--Douglas H. Erwin, author of Extinction: How Life on Earth Nearly Ended 250 Million Years Ago
"Life's Engines provides a unique perspective on the micro and macro worlds that comprise the living Earth system. A very good read."--Edward F. DeLong, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"Life's Engines is a distinct, engaging, and very worthwhile contribution."--Roger Summons, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Princeton University Press (April 27, 2015)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 218 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0691155372
- ISBN-13 : 978-0691155371
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.3 x 0.8 x 9.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,782,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #887 in Microbiology (Books)
- #1,031 in Biochemistry (Books)
- #3,490 in Ecology (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Customers find the book's writing style engaging and the explanations clear. They appreciate the good overview of many topics and interesting facts presented in an overview of the development of life on Earth. The book provides a valuable overview and is enjoyable to read.
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Customers find the book's writing style engaging and easy to read. They appreciate the lucid explanations and good job of laying out the story. The book is suitable for advanced non-professional readers, but some find the content too dense for beginners.
"...And frankly Falkowski does such a good job laying out the story, it’s really a matter of how deep the reader wants to go...." Read more
"...For the most part, it is an easy read, and I would encourage any reader to plow through - read and reread- the more difficult parts...." Read more
"...This book is intended for the general reader. Without using technical jargon, he explains how microbes shaped the early planet, from the "oxygen..." Read more
"...It is an exceptional read by a very qualified scientist. To understand his full message, read this book cover to cover without passing any chapters...." Read more
Customers find the book provides a good overview of many topics. They appreciate the interesting facts and weaving of history of science into a robust account. The book covers a wide variety of topics, including the reasons for oxygen levels being what they are.
"...From here each chapter makes giant leaps, the incorporation of microbes to create eukaryotic cells, the consortia of eucaryia to make plants and..." Read more
"...This is a must read for any person, with much food for thought, and with many tools to engage the ignorant in today's political and social landscape." Read more
"...Without using technical jargon, he explains how microbes shaped the early planet, from the "oxygen revolution" as cyanobacteria supplied the..." Read more
"...Most importantly, it deals with an important and fascinating subject with affection, respect, and in a very entertaining fashion." Read more
Customers enjoy the book. They find it insightful and worth reading. The author makes it enjoyable.
"...It is a wonderful achievement and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is comfortable with Scientific American...." Read more
"...It is worth your while. Falkowski addresses two questions: 1) How did life begin? And 2) Are humans destroying life on Earth?..." Read more
"This is a great book if you are an interested in evolution and the origins of life...." Read more
"...Enjoyed the book a lot. Great insights." Read more
Customers find the book entertaining and educational. They say it's well-written with stunning subject matter.
"...The first 50 pages are a breeze, and though a good background, could have easily been condensed...." Read more
"...and fascinating subject with affection, respect, and in a very entertaining fashion." Read more
"...For all of that, a really good revelatory look at the true denizens of our planet and the environment they made possible...." Read more
"A brilliantly readable book that entertains and educates...." Read more
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Read This Book or Wallow in Your Ignorance!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2015Falkowski and I both had an aquarium and radio kits as youthful hobbies. I didn’t see any connection at all between the two. I guess that’s why I’m reading his book and he’s not reading mine.
There was a positive review in the NYRB, but with a warning that this was for the scientifically informed. I’m an interested layman and didn’t find it difficult. It’s only 180 pages long, well spaced. The first 50 pages are a breeze, and though a good background, could have easily been condensed. They relate the history of the microscope and how our knowledge has depended upon our ability to visualize microbes. Then we get into the chapter on nanomachines. This is where the speed bumps appear. At this point I had to Google some basic concepts, you know, nucleic acid, sulfide/sulphate, and the like; but only a dozen times. And frankly Falkowski does such a good job laying out the story, it’s really a matter of how deep the reader wants to go. Perhaps a glossary would have been helpful. The graphs and diagrams are also extremely well presented and helpful.
If I had to pick one main topic it’s the evolution of the nanomachines as the energy producing artifacts in all life on earth. And our old friend ATP plays a large part as well. This is a great overview of the discoveries of the last decades of the tine mechanics of life. Additionally, the subtext is the recognition - angelfish and whisker radios - that the system as a whole is like, no, IS, an incredibly large, complex, interconnected chemo-electrical system.
The gene transfers between “species” of microbes are explained and, very interesting to me, as I had not heard of it before, the notion of a concordium consisting of many microbial species. The subject ot gut microbes, which we’re hearing a lot about lately, figures in.
From here each chapter makes giant leaps, the incorporation of microbes to create eukaryotic cells, the consortia of eucaryia to make plants and animals, snowball earth, the great oxygen event, and life elsewhere in our solar system. I consider my self an informed layman, but I learned something new every couple of pages.
This is truly an overview of the development of life on Earth. We are constantly reminded of the feedback loops and how we can consider the whole as an immense electro-chemical system. It is a wonderful achievement and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is comfortable with Scientific American. It changed my naive view of life as a series of bags of chemicals gradually being refined by the environment, that’s for sure.
I was reminded over and over again of the Gaia Hypothesis. Falkowski doesn’t mention it, probably because it has an unscientific ring. I never thought of it myself as a giant individual with a soul but more as an organizing construct, And I wasn’t sure how organized the whole was, anyway. But believe me, after reading this wonderful book, I’m a lot more sympathetic.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2015There are many reasons for the non-scientist to love this book. Falkowski lays out the latest scientific knowledge about the origins of life, and how life works on a molecular level, in a fashion that is as good as it is going to get for the lay reader if he or she wants real information. For the most part, it is an easy read, and I would encourage any reader to plow through - read and reread- the more difficult parts. It is worth your while. Falkowski addresses two questions: 1) How did life begin? And 2) Are humans destroying life on Earth? What Falkowski explains about the origins of life blows my mind away. That all life shares the same energy making nano-machine. That cells and more specifically cell membranes have a critical role in storing and transferring cell created energy.That on a nano level, bacteria swaps out genetic information all the time, creating enormous opportunity for adaptation. Falkowski then explains how our global skin of microbes created the world that we live in and are totally dependent on. And how our disruption and destruction of that skin really does threaten our existence, and why climate change means much.more than the rise or fall of global temperatures. Falkowski leaves us with the possibility that we human beings can ultimately control our destiny, manage more effectively the resources provided by the Earth, but with dark humor tells us not not worry be cause either way, life will survive, with or without the specie homo. This is a must read for any person, with much food for thought, and with many tools to engage the ignorant in today's political and social landscape.
5.0 out of 5 starsThere are many reasons for the non-scientist to love this book. Falkowski lays out the latest scientific knowledge about the origins of life, and how life works on a molecular level, in a fashion that is as good as it is going to get for the lay reader if he or she wants real information. For the most part, it is an easy read, and I would encourage any reader to plow through - read and reread- the more difficult parts. It is worth your while. Falkowski addresses two questions: 1) How did life begin? And 2) Are humans destroying life on Earth? What Falkowski explains about the origins of life blows my mind away. That all life shares the same energy making nano-machine. That cells and more specifically cell membranes have a critical role in storing and transferring cell created energy.That on a nano level, bacteria swaps out genetic information all the time, creating enormous opportunity for adaptation. Falkowski then explains how our global skin of microbes created the world that we live in and are totally dependent on. And how our disruption and destruction of that skin really does threaten our existence, and why climate change means much.more than the rise or fall of global temperatures. Falkowski leaves us with the possibility that we human beings can ultimately control our destiny, manage more effectively the resources provided by the Earth, but with dark humor tells us not not worry be cause either way, life will survive, with or without the specie homo. This is a must read for any person, with much food for thought, and with many tools to engage the ignorant in today's political and social landscape.Read This Book or Wallow in Your Ignorance!
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2015
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2015Paul Falkowski is an eminent scientist who studies the impact of aquatic photosynthetic microbes on Earth's geochemical cycles and climate. This book is intended for the general reader. Without using technical jargon, he explains how microbes shaped the early planet, from the "oxygen revolution" as cyanobacteria supplied the first oxygen to the atmosphere and powered the first eukaryotes and multicellular life, to the role of microbes in interlocking and stabilizing the nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, hydrogen, and carbon cycles. The perspective is fresh, even for a scientifically aware reader, from the depiction of life as a "marketplace of electrons" changing hands to the "core nanomachines" of life (evolutionarily conserved macromolecular assemblies) which are continually repurposed. His writing style is engaging and the black-and-white illustrations nice. My favorite might be his description of the photoacoustic effect as tiny molecular claps. I have a few reservations about the book. In an attempt to keep the book accessible, he avoids any discussion of quantum energy levels or thermodynamics. It's hard to explain photosynthesis without those concepts. He doesn't explain catalysis and refers consistently to "nanomachines" except where he slips and calls them enzymes, without explanation. Sometimes it's better to give a full explanation which the reader might not entirely grasp than to quit early and be sure to mystify. For instance, there is a detailed diagram of reaction centers in photosynthesis, with photosystem I and II and photophosphorylation depicted; if you're going to go that far you might as well explain why there are two photosystems and how they work together. In tiptoeing around jargon he complicates things; the building blocks of RNA and DNA are referred to as "the nucleic acids," a term usually reserved for the polymers, until he slips and refers to them as nucleotides, without defining the term. The brief history of molecular biology is eclectic in the extreme, weighted toward scientists he knew personally, and sometimes wrong: Brenner and Crick are wrongly credited with deciphering the genetic code (their elegant experiments demonstrated the nature of the genetic code but didn't provide the Rosetta stone- that was Nirenberg, Leder, Khorana et al). There are curious omissions in present-day research- nothing about next generation sequencing or the wonders it has revealed in microbial diversity, although those are directly relevant to his story. Lots of typos: Noble for Nobel, Samaria for Sumeria (even in the index). He ends on a gentle cautionary note about how delicately balanced the biogeochemical cycles are and thus how catastrophic human-made climate change will be.
Top reviews from other countries
- Frances R.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 23, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Very detailed.
The author is thorough - the detail is appreciated. This is no surface-skimming of the subject so, if you want all the ins-and-outs, this the book on micro-organisms.
-
Cecilia B.Reviewed in Italy on February 20, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars bello!
Libro molto carino ed interessante, q
- Adam BellReviewed in Canada on December 24, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read.
Having read Nick Lane's "The Vital Question" and enjoyed it very much, I found Falkowski's "Life's Engines" a perfect adjunct. Although I'm an engineer without formal biology training, I found this book informative, easy to understand, and a pleasure to read. Lives up to it's back cover hype.
- R.K.RaiReviewed in India on November 11, 2015
4.0 out of 5 stars A very worthwhile book. For the layman it is ...
A very worthwhile book. For the layman it is a valuable introduction to the molecular level actions that sustain life.
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on April 28, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
perfect scope, perfect depth