Astronomer Koerner and biologist LeVay plot scenarios for extraterrestrial life in this sharp, enthusiastic, and skeptically tempered overview of “cosmic biology.” How to begin looking for life out there where the stars know no end? Koerner and LeVay begin on planet Earth, with a look into current speculations on the origin of life. What are the tolerable environments for the formation of organic compounds, whether they are catalyzed by RNA or polypeptides? If they can survive in the rudest environments on Earth, might they survive in the suspected briny seas on Europa, a Galilean moon of Jupiter? How could the compounds have been formed in and migrated through deep space, and how did they proceed from simple to complicated forms? Koerner and LeVay present theories that suggest answers to these questions, then tour the nurseries where stars are born to explain how the “unseen influences” that are extrasolar planets might contain life-nurturing habitats like our own. Physical and temporal characteristics of the universe also allow for speculation about the possibility of life beyond Earth. Sallying into a few of the imbroglios that currently ignite paleontology, astronomy, and cosmology, the authors decipher such feuds as the Stephen Jay Gould—Conway Morris debate over the conclusions to be wrested from the Burgess Shales, and ask whether Stuart Kauffman has a sense of just where complexity theory is going. Although chapters on UFOs and computer consciousness fail to inspire Koerner and LeVay to their usual high level of curiosity or energy, they hit upon a vexing final question: Might a “life” outside our ken even be recognizable by us? Not yet, anyway. Does the celestial vault support life other than our own? Koerner and LeVay, who came to the question with reservations, happily conclude by asking: Why not? “The trail of discovery hangs heavy with the scent of life.”
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-19-512852-4
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Oxford Univ.
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1999
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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