Life through Time and Space - Tapa dura

I can recommend this book without reservation. It contains an authoritative and fascinating account of evolution on Earth and, perhaps, further afield. Brilliant and thought-provoking in every way.--Sir Arnold Wolfendale, FRS, 14th Astronomer Royal Science, as Wallace Arthur shows us in this delightful and blessedly jargon-free book, reveals to us things as they are, for what they are. Offering astronomical and biological perspectives on origins, life cycles, structure and function, and endings, Arthur shows that human existence is only one tiny, temporary strand in the endless weave of reality.--Ronald Jenner, Natural History Museum, London Arthur takes the reader on a breathtaking journey through time and space, astronomy and biology. What a delightfully written and intellectually stimulating book.--Alessandro Minelli, Professor Emeritus of Zoology in the Faculty of Mathematical, Physical, and Natural Sciences, University of Padua A farsighted, original, and thought-provoking trip through the evolution of life and the universe.--Rudolf Raff, Distinguished Professor and James H. Rudy Professor of Biology, Indiana University In an imaginative and highly enjoyable journey from atoms to galaxies, Wallace Arthur explores commonalities in cosmology, embryology, and evolution.--Vivian Irish, Professor of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University What a lovely book. Its scope is very ambitious--it brings together several different fields and perspectives that are all equally fascinating. And it deals with them in an intertwined way, moving from Earthly creatures to dying stars to alien life with a fluid curiosity that is infectious.--Julia Sigwart, Queen's University, Belfast Arthur writes clearly about many complex and varied subjects, and his enthusiasm for the material shows.--Marcos Huerta"Science" (08/11/2017) For those of you curious about how a respected scientist whose specialty is in zoology (and evo-devo) might view life on our planet, Arthur's perspective is an intriguing treat, giving us a new spin on an old cosmic tale, with novel details emphasized over what you might have heard before.--Ethan Siegel"Forbes" (12/13/2017) Life through Time and Space is an interesting look at an overwhelming subject...[Arthur's] treatment of the stages of formation and ultimately life as we know it is well done and intriguing. It would be difficult to find a more thorough, thought-provoking exercise...Arthur does a remarkable job of describing 'evo-devo' and eventually offers some predictions about the future of humans and species extinction.--F. W. Yow"Choice" (02/01/2018) [Arthur] has a refreshingly jargon-free approach to science writing...The book tackles some immense scientific questions that are beyond our current capability to answer and, despite their complexity, gives the reader a framework to understand and contemplate their significance...Life through Time and Space takes the reader on a journey through the furthest regions of the universe, but ends with an introverted look at our own species.--Tiffany Taylor"Times Higher Education" (10/05/2017)

All humans share three origins: the beginning of our individual lives, the appearance of life on Earth, and the formation of our planetary home. Wallace Arthur combines embryological, evolutionary, and cosmological perspectives to tell the story of life on Earth and its potential to exist elsewhere in the universe.