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`[This] must surely be one of the great scientific biographies, featuring a brilliantly lucid account of the evolution of the Gaia theory.' --John Gray, Literary Review
'The Gribbins are the best science writers around ... as a one-stop source on the life and works of one of the greatest figures of 20th-century thought, this book is unmissable'
--Dr Henry Gee, BBC Focus magazine
'The Gribbins are the best science writers around ... as a one-stop source on the life and works of one of the greatest figures of 20th-century thought, this book is unmissable'
--Dr Henry Gee, BBC Focus magazine
Review
`James Lovelock is the closest thing we have to an Old Testament prophet, though his deity is not Jehovah but Gaia, his concept of planet earth ... [an] absorbing account of [Lovelock's] life.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
From Buddy Holly to James Lovelock in one easy bound! John Gribbin's versatility shines through in this book, suitably matching the versatility of his subject -- the some time chemist, physician, space scientist, inventor, Earth scientist and now would be astronaut (at the age of 90!) whose vision of Gaia has changed thinking about the planet we live on. This is the best explanation of Gaia theory around, as well as being an intriguing biography of one of the great figures of twentieth century science. Lovelock, it seems, has always questioned authority and never accepted received wisdom without checking it for himself. Independent-minded and working independently of any academic system, he is more like an eighteenth century scientist than a modern one, and his iconoclastic attitude has led him to his most powerful insights. This reader, at least, can only conclude that the academic system has made a wrong turning somewhere along the line.
This biography reveals some interesting facts about James Loveleock and his life's work, which is still ongoing. The presentation is very much matter of fact and the book itself is no great work of literature. Well worth reading at a cheap price; this man could turn out to be a prophet!
7 of 10 people found the following review helpful
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"HE KNEW HE WAS RIGHT: The Irrespressible Life of James Lovelock and Gaia" was a much anticipated book by all those interested and scientifically concerned with 'climate change' and the many related ecological problems. Jack Lovelock has been an equally interesting and successful scientist for some 50 years in many different scientific disciplines. UNFORTUNATELY, John and Mary Gribbin seem to have missed a great opportunity in this biography.
Reading with anticipation provided many disappointments. Expectation of a related exposition on Jack Lovelock the "visionary, inventor, radical, free thinker and soon-to-be space traveller" was much more a routine reporting - accurately - of Lovelock's life, which does not lift the reader's appreciation of this "icon figure in British science" much above the norm.
Lovelock has a very wide ranging, extremely interesting and very successful career, which has contributed significantly to modern science and will continue to impact for years to come. These roles appear to be mostly routinely reported in this book. Although Lovelock's life is accurately reviewed, with comments by the authors, any passion or personal feelings - although mentioned - of Lovelock's thinking, reasoning and application never quite portray to the reader any excitment and passion that surely must have been present throughout Lovelock's scientific life and career.
The authors mention meeting and knowing Lovelock in their prepartion of this biography, but somehow reading the book gives the impression that they "do not really know him". This has resulted in a somewhat impersonal reporting of a very significant scientist. This is a pity.
New readers interested in an introduction and guide to thinking on 'Gaia' may find the book interesting and helpful. But those who are expecting an interesting and enlightening biography on the "irrepressible life of James Lovelock" may be disappointed.
Reading with anticipation provided many disappointments. Expectation of a related exposition on Jack Lovelock the "visionary, inventor, radical, free thinker and soon-to-be space traveller" was much more a routine reporting - accurately - of Lovelock's life, which does not lift the reader's appreciation of this "icon figure in British science" much above the norm.
Lovelock has a very wide ranging, extremely interesting and very successful career, which has contributed significantly to modern science and will continue to impact for years to come. These roles appear to be mostly routinely reported in this book. Although Lovelock's life is accurately reviewed, with comments by the authors, any passion or personal feelings - although mentioned - of Lovelock's thinking, reasoning and application never quite portray to the reader any excitment and passion that surely must have been present throughout Lovelock's scientific life and career.
The authors mention meeting and knowing Lovelock in their prepartion of this biography, but somehow reading the book gives the impression that they "do not really know him". This has resulted in a somewhat impersonal reporting of a very significant scientist. This is a pity.
New readers interested in an introduction and guide to thinking on 'Gaia' may find the book interesting and helpful. But those who are expecting an interesting and enlightening biography on the "irrepressible life of James Lovelock" may be disappointed.
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