Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution explores how life on Earth transformed from simple chemistry into the extraordinary diversity we see today. Drawing on genetic evidence, protein structures, and the geochemistry of ancient rocks, it traces the pivotal breakthroughs that made complex life possible.
The book is organized around ten major “inventions” of evolution, including DNA, photosynthesis, sex, and sight. Each chapter explains how these innovations first emerged, how they work in living organisms now, and why they still matter in contemporary scientific debates.
Readers are introduced to surprising discoveries, such as the idea that early eyes began as light-sensitive spots helping algae fine-tune photosynthesis, or that DNA’s building blocks can form naturally in hydrothermal vents. Technical research is translated into accessible language, making complex biology understandable for general readers.
Life Ascending will appeal to anyone curious about the deep history of life, the mechanisms of evolution, and the scientific stories behind our most fundamental biological traits.
Key topics include:
- The origin and structure of DNA
- How photosynthesis transformed Earth’s atmosphere
- The evolutionary role of sex and reproduction
- The development of sight and sensory systems
