Ben Waber reviewed How Life Works by Philip Ball
A Fantastic Exploration of Biology
5 stars
Ball builds an understanding of biology from the ground up, starting at genes, building up to proteins, cells, and tissues, and finally bodies. This is a nuanced but scientifically rigorous exploration, and Ball isn't shy about expressing uncertainty when it exists, or noting that understanding of these processes is likely to change over time. He also brings in an excellent historical perspective on how certain phenomena were previously conceived and the evolution of our understanding. His only stumbles are when making analogies to computational processes (often misleading and inaccurate), and in strange detours into physics and philosophy that don't really go anywhere (the chapters on agency and making life can probably be skipped). That being said, this is an extremely well written, enjoyable, and enlightening dive into biology. Highly recommend
Ball builds an understanding of biology from the ground up, starting at genes, building up to proteins, cells, and tissues, and finally bodies. This is a nuanced but scientifically rigorous exploration, and Ball isn't shy about expressing uncertainty when it exists, or noting that understanding of these processes is likely to change over time. He also brings in an excellent historical perspective on how certain phenomena were previously conceived and the evolution of our understanding. His only stumbles are when making analogies to computational processes (often misleading and inaccurate), and in strange detours into physics and philosophy that don't really go anywhere (the chapters on agency and making life can probably be skipped). That being said, this is an extremely well written, enjoyable, and enlightening dive into biology. Highly recommend