Life Ascending

Describes the ten greatest inventions of life, including DNA, sex, sight and consciousness, based on their historical impact, role in living organisms and relevance to controversies. This book explains how these findings have come about, and the extent to which they can be relied upon.

This is a science book that doesn't cheat: the structure is logical, the writing is witty, and the hard questions are tackled head on

Original and awe-inspiring ... an exhilarating tour of some of the most profound and important ideas in biology

Excellent and imaginative and, similar to life itself, the book is full of surprises ... a fascinating book for anyone interested in life and evolution, and how these discoveries were made

Life Ascending earns its place on the bookshelf of every biology teacher - and anyone else interested in how we all got here.

an absolute joy...Dr Nick Lane employs a clarity of thought and an adroitness of expression that allows the reader to easily navigate his enviable breadth of knowledge. A breadth of knowledge that never scrimps on detail whilst delivering logic and inspiration in equal measure. The very definition of a 'must read' for anyone that has ever marvelled at the complexity of life

If Charles Darwin sprang from his grave, I would give him this fine book to bring him up to speed.

Lane brings science alive with the kind of beautiful prose that turns a book full of interesting information into a book you simply cannot put down.

Nick Lane is one of the most exciting science writers of our time. His book...reads like a smooth chronicle, has great subject matter and is well argued.

With its vast scope, page-turning revelations and elegant prose, Nick Lane's Life Ascending is everything one could hope for in a science book

Nick Lane has published four critically acclaimed books, translated into 20 languages; most recently The Vital Question. He was awarded the 2015 Biochemical Society Award for his outstanding contribution to the molecular life sciences. Life Ascending won the 2010 Royal Society Prize for Science Books.Nick is a biochemist in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London. 'Like his forebears in that same department - Steve Jones, JBS Haldane - he's that rare species, a scientist who can illuminate the bewildering complexities of biology with clear, luminous words' (Observer) 'One of the most exciting science writers of our time' (Independent)