- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: W. W. Norton & Co.; 1st American Ed edition (19 Feb 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0393050416
- ISBN-13: 978-0393050417
- Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 15.7 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,894,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Quantum Evolution tackles the hairiest heresy of evolutionary biology, the one most likely to get scientists figuratively burned at the stake: the notion that any force more selective than blind chance could drive mutation. Such "directed evolution" smacks too much of a retreat into creationism for most science-minded readers to be comfortable with, but there's no a priorireason to reject the idea. Molecular biologist Johnjoe McFadden risks the Inquisition by suggesting just such a possibility in Quantum Evolution: The New Science of Life. Directed at a general but somewhat sophisticated readership, it covers the basics of both standard evolutionary theory and quantum-level physics, then synthesizes them in an interesting theory of made-to-order mutation that explains enough to warrant attention and is, importantly, testable.
McFadden's writing is clear and sharp, and shows a high regard for the reader's intelligence and patience for complex ideas. This is no airplane book--except for those already well-versed in the latest in both evolutionary theory and subatomic physics. The rewards of reading are great, and the author bows just enough to established theory that he might meet the fate of his intellectual predecessors. The ideas underlying Quantum Evolution may be right or wrong, but they challenge received wisdom without plunging into dogmatism--and that's good science. --Rob Lightner --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Product Description
Living Organisms are controlled by a single molecule -- DNA. The study of modern physics tells us that the behavior of single molecules is governed not by familiar classical laws but by the strange laws of quantum mechanics. The biological applications of this principle have never been fully explored -- until now. McFadden's novel theory of quantum evolution shows how quantum mechanics endows living organisms with the ability to initiate specific actions, including new mutations. This simple but staggering theory has radical implications.
Debunking the recent propositions of evolutionary theorists, McFadden argues that evolution may not be random at all. Rather, it may be directed -- that is, in certain circumstances, cells may be able to choose to mutate particular genes that provide an advantage in their environment. This property of living organisms to direct their actions undoubtedly lies at the core of the much disputed issues of consciousness and free will.
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First Sentence
Starlight glistens on a spaceship's silvery hull as it cruises, unseen and unmanned, amongst the planets of a distant solar system. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Starlight glistens on a spaceship's silvery hull as it cruises, unseen and unmanned, amongst the planets of a distant solar system. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Quantum Evolution" is a pedagogic masterpiece. It is - amongst many other things - the best "crash-course" in quantum mechanics you can find; commonly abstract and hard to understand subjects are explained thoroughly and comprehensive without bewildering mathematics. Carefulness with facts is another attribute of this book. It is an enthralling introduction to the fantastic world of quantum microbiology and it connects the world of the infinitesimal small with the greatest questions humans have asked since the dawn of society and civilisation - "what is life?".
It deals with information theory on the quantum "level" - and express an interesting and logical hypothesis on the role of quantum physics in evolution.
It is a book that has given me the "sense of wonder" reading.
I hope that Johnjoe McFadden takes his time writing more books - he has shown to be one of the few having the gift to communicate in-depth knowledge.
It deals with information theory on the quantum "level" - and express an interesting and logical hypothesis on the role of quantum physics in evolution.
It is a book that has given me the "sense of wonder" reading.
I hope that Johnjoe McFadden takes his time writing more books - he has shown to be one of the few having the gift to communicate in-depth knowledge.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a new breed of book about scientific subjects - Today science has moved beyond the experimental into areas where the only possible exploration and development of ideas is more speculative. This speculation involves a multi discipline method from what was previously Chemistry, Physics, Biology into combinations af the leading edge of all three. Quantum Evolution fits easily into this new multi discipline category - it is a joy to read simply because it has, by it nature, a wide a varied speculative approach rather than dry detailed science requiring a specalist knowledge. The reader, can quite easly, have opinions almost as valid as the the author in this new type voyage of discovery.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I found the idea that some sort of quantum computing could be the basis for the evolution of living things quite fascinating. The author is patient and writes in a way that takes the non scientist into the mysteries of life at the molecular level, quantum mechanics, quantum computing and the nature of consciousness. His description of these things to a lay reader is quite gifted. In fact it’s the best non-mathematical description of quantum mechanics I’ve come across, it’s worth reading for this alone. The explanation of how life comes to form irreducibly complex processes is the most plausible I’ve come across. The last section on consciousness might be a theory too far but builds up in the same logical steps and is a great piece of work in its own right worth a book to itself. This is not a fantasy world of some mystic either, the author is a reader in Molecular Biology at the University of Surrey. I would recommend it strongly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An excellent account of contempory thought in Dawinism and Quantum...
If you want a clear and concise explanation of Quantum Physics as we know it, this is the book to read. He also explains well the philosophies behind both evolution and QM. Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2007 by Pat Dunphey
Interesting but difficult at times
This book describes the role quantum mechanics plays in biology, particularly evolution and consciousness. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2002
A very readable and immensely stimulating book.
McFadden starts with a review of what life is all about (what is life?) and looks at how it got to where it is today. Read more
Published on 28 July 2000
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