J. Taylor

Ecology : Fragile Interdependence of Life, 23 Aug 2012

Despite 15 years passing since this book was written, I was pleased to find the principles and applications contained, to be still completely relevant and a very close approximation of ecology today. (Though going by the figures on p292, we have since lost 10% of the world's rainforest.)

It was necessary to have a book of this size to communicate the sheer variety of living organisms which interact in so many unforeseen ways. Only by establishing the degree of complexity and fragility to change, can the reader appreciate the impact of change to stable habitats.

Sadly the inevitable conclusion (in the last two chapters,) is that the chief culprit for damage is mankind… Read more

Our Symbiont Relationship with Bacteria, 14 Aug 2012

Bacteria may be obscure and too small to see, but it takes an author like Maczulak to clearly reveal their influence on life at every level. This book is concise, and much more than a collection of interesting facts; it helps the reader fathom the extent of our interdependence. The prospect of scientists manipulating these relationships in favour of people in real life is intriguing.

Microbial history is exposed as a chequered affair. Bacteria blindly provided the atmosphere we rely on, and their ancestors live inside (and are vital to) every cell in our bodies. However, their treacherous side manifests in the selfish acquisition of resources for their own survival, even… Read more

Blind Physical Forces meet Biological Systems, 12 Aug 2012

How do complex geometries arise in nature, where disorder necessarily increases? Is there more to the shape of living forms than genetic information alone would suggest? Ball tackles these questions and many more, in a (largely successful) investigation into how biological patterns are generated with no conscious forethought.

Ball's background in chemistry and physics is much in evidence, but his use of many photos is effective in illustrating his examples. Perhaps controversially, I think this book would be most enjoyed by science graduates; despite having science A-levels, I admit parts of this book went over my head!

However, I found the widely misunderstood topic… Read more