“Original and awe-inspiring . . . an exhilarating tour of some of the most profound and important ideas in biology.”—New Scientist
Excellent and imaginative and, similar to life itself, the book is full of surprises. —Nature
Lane lays out processes of dizzying complexity in smooth, nimble prose. —Kirkus Reviews
The emergence of life itself remains obscure. But as Lane shows with clarity and vigor, fascinating studies on the subject abound. —The New York Times
If Charles Darwin sprang from his grave, I would give him this fine book to bring him up to speed. —Matt Ridley, author of The Red Queen
Where does DNA come from? What is consciousness? How did the eye evolve? Drawing on a treasure trove of new scientific knowledge, Nick Lane expertly reconstructs evolution’s history by describing its ten greatest inventions—from sex and warmth to death—resulting in a stunning account of nature’s ingenuity.