Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe [Hardcover]

"Do you feel lucky? Well do ya?" asked Dirty Harry. Palaeontologist Peter Ward and astronomer Donald Brownlee think all of us should feel lucky. Their rare Earth hypothesis predicts that while simple, microbial life will be very widespread in the universe, complex animal or plant life will be extremely rare. Ward and Brownlee admit that "it is very difficult to do statistics with an N of 1. But in our defence, we have staked out a position rarely articulated but increasingly accepted by many astrobiologists."

Their new science is the field of biology ratcheted up to encompass not just life on earth but also life beyond earth. It forces us to reconsider the life of our planet as a single example of how life might work, rather than as the only example.

The revolution in astrobiology during the 1990s was twofold. First, scientists grew to appreciate how incredibly robust microbial life can be, found in the superheated water of deep-sea vents, pools of acid, or even within the crust of the Earth itself. The chance of finding such simple life on other bodies in our solar system has never seemed more realistic. But second, scientists have begun to appreciate how many unusual factors have co-operated to make earth a congenial home for animal life: Jupiter's stable orbit, the presence of the Moon, plate tectonics, just the right amount of water, the right position in the right sort of galaxy. Ward and Brownlee make a convincing if depressing case for their hypothesis, undermining the principle of mediocrity (or, "Earth isn't all that special") that has ruled astronomy since Copernicus. --Mary Ellen Curtin

Renowned paleontologist Ward (Univ. of Washington), who has authored numerous books and articles, and Brownlee, a noted astronomer who has also researched extraterrestrial materials, combine their interests, research, and collaborative thoughts to present a startling new hypothesis: bacterial life forms may be in many galaxies, but complex life forms, like those that have evolved on Earth, are rare in the universe. Ward and Brownlee attribute Earth's evolutionary achievements to the following critical factors: our optimal distance from the sun, the positive effects of the moon's gravity on our climate, plate tectonics and continental drift, the right types of metals and elements, ample liquid water, maintainance of the correct amount of internal heat to keep surface temperatures within a habitable range, and a gaseous planet the size of Jupiter to shield Earth from catastrophic meteoric bombardment. Arguing that complex life is a rare event in the universe, this compelling book magnifies the significance-and tragedy-of species extinction. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries. Gloria Maxwell, Penn Valley Community Coll. Lib., Kansas City Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

From the reviews
.,." Their paradoxical finding ... has hit the world of astrobiologists like a killer asteroid ..."
"New York Newsday"
"Now, two prominent scientists say the conventional wisdom is wrong. The alien search, they add, is likely to fail ... "Rare Earth,.".is producing whoops of criticism and praise...(some) call it 'brilliant' and 'courageous'."
"The New York Times"
"Its brilliant ... courageous ... It's rare in literature and science that a stance goes so far against the grain."
"Dr. Geoffrey W. Marcy, UC at Berkeley (Quoted in the NY" "TIMES)"
The author says
.,." there could be billions of of planets with intelligent, alien species. It's a breathtaking concept. But is it credible? In our book "Rare Earth," Don Brownlee and I argue that even the simplest forms of animal life are exeedingly rare in our Galaxy, and in the Universe beyond."
"Peter Ward, New Scientist"

"...an exhaustive and authoritative examination of theories about the origin of life on earth."

"They offer a powerful argument that the earth is, in fact, extremely unusual."

In this exciting new book, distinguished paleontologist Peter D. Ward and noted astronomer Donald Brownlee team up to present a fascinating synthesis of what is now known about the development of life on Earth and how this sheds light on possibilities for organic life forms elsewhere in the Universe. With their broad expertise and wonderful descriptive imagery, the authors provide a compelling argument, a splendid introduction to the emerging field of astrobiology, and a lively discussion of the remarkable findings that are currently being generated.