Power, Sex, Suicide, 2nd Edition

Review from previous edition Challenging, but rewarding. * Vanessa Thorpe, Observer *Its the most interesting and significant addendum to Darwin’s theory I think I’ve come across since Richard Dawkins explained how genes are the mechanism for evolution. * Independent on Sunday *An enthralling account…The author has accomplished something quite breathtaking… Moreover, he brings the science alive…he is always accessible lively , thought provoking and informative. Every Biologist should read this book. * Biologist Philip John *…for anyone interested in some of the most profound questions of 21st century science. the central proposals of Power, Sex, Suicide are clearly and forcefully propounded… This is a new take on why we are here. Do, please, read this book. * John F. Allen, Nature *Full of startling insights into the nature and evolution of life as we know it. * The Economist *Impressive… readable, provocative, and often persuasive… undoubtably important. This is an exciting and unusual book. * Jonathan Hodgkin, Times Literary Supplement *Magnificent… explains life’s workings, fabric, and inner logic with a previously unapproachable coherence. * Oliver Morton, Prospect Magazine *One of the most interesting stories modern biology has to tell. * Steven Rose, The Guardian *An enjoyable and readable book. Nick Lane has achieved the difficult goal of taking selected aspects of a complex field and making them intelligible… fascinating. * David G. Nicholls, Science *I defy anyone to read this book and not come out amazed by the incredible subtlety, complexity, and downright unlikeliness of the mechanisms of biological construction. This book opens up the secrets with an obvious delight from Lane that the readers are likely to share. * Popular Science *

Nick Lane is a British biochemist and writer. He was awarded the first Provost’s Venture Research Prize in the Department of Genetics, Evolution, and Environment at University College London, where he is now Professor of Evolutionary Biochemistry. Professor Lane’s research deals with evolutionary biochemistry and bioenergetics, focusing on the origin of life and the evolution of complex cells. He was a founding member of the UCL Consortium for MitochondrialResearch, and is leading the UCL Research Frontiers Origins of Life programme. He was awarded the 2011 BMC Research Award for Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics and Evolution, and the 2015 Biochemical SocietyAward for his sustained and diverse contribution to the molecular life sciences and the public understanding of science. His books include Oxygen: The Molecule that Made the World (OUP, 2002; 2016).