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James Lovelock
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Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth Paperback – 28 Sept. 2000

by James Lovelock (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 608 ratings
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In this classic work that continues to inspire its many readers, Jim Lovelock puts forward his idea that life on earth functions as a single organism. Written for non-scientists, Gaia is a journey through time and space in search of evidence with which to support a new and radically different model of our planet. In contrast to conventional belief that living matter is passive in the face of threats to its existence, the book explores the hypothesis that the earth's living matter air, ocean, and land surfaces forms a complex system that has the capacity to keep the Earth a fit place for life.

Since Gaia was first published, many of Jim Lovelock's predictions have come true and his theory has become a hotly argued topic in scientific circles. In a new Preface to this reissued title, he outlines his present state of the debate.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0192862189
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0192862181
  3. Edition
    Subsequent
  4. Publisher
    OUP Oxford
  5. Publication date
    28 Sept. 2000
  6. Part of series
    Oxford Landmark Science
  7. Language
    English
  8. Dimensions
    19.05 x 1.02 x 12.45 cm
  9. Print length
    176 pages
  10. See all details
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There is a newer edition of this item:

Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth (Oxford Landmark Science)
Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth (Oxford Landmark Science)
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Product description

About the Author

James Lovelock is an independent scientist, inventor, and author. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1974 and in 1990 was awarded the first Amsterdam Prize for the Environment by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. One of his inventions is the electron capture detector, which was important in the development of environmental awareness. It revealed for the first time the ubiquitous distribution of pesticide residues. He co-operated with NASA and some of his inventions were adopted in their programme of planetary exploration.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ OUP Oxford; Subsequent edition (28 Sept. 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0192862189
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0192862181
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.05 x 1.02 x 12.45 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 608 ratings

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James Lovelock

James Lovelock

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4.5 out of 5 stars
608 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and informative. They appreciate the thought-provoking ideas and theory of Gaia. Readers describe the writing style as well-written, though a bit difficult to follow at times.

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ReadabilityThought provokingWriting style
23 customers mention ‘Readability’23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and informative. They say it's a good read and necessary for those interested in environmental issues.

"...and scientific hypotheses, and for that reason alone, it is worth a read...." Read more

"...A really interesting and captivating read." Read more

"...If you can forgive this, it is a genuinely great (though fairly brief) read, I assure you...." Read more

"This is a book well worth reading. It is intended for the non-scientist although not lacking in the scientific approach...." Read more

17 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides valuable thought-provoking ideas about feedback systems. They say the concept of Gaia is worth contemplating by scientists, economists, and resource managers. The book opens their minds and encourages them to consult later versions. It provides an explanation of a complex topic in a way that is both informative and understandable.

"...This 1979 book opened my mind, and encouraged me to consult later versions, including his 1988 "The Ages of Gaia: A Biography of Our Living Earth"...." Read more

"...Overall, it is a must-read, for the interesting ideas and for its' significance in modern thinking about the critical topics of the environment, but..." Read more

"...On the one hand, there is a quite reasonable scientific discourse (mostly focused on chemistry) about the make up and balances within the atmosphere..." Read more

"...Lovelock's forward provides valuable thought provoking ideas. A really interesting and captivating read." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Writing style’7 positive1 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find it thought-provoking and well-written, though a difficult read.

"...it is not necessary in order to understand the ideas, and the text is well written and easy to read...." Read more

"...The book is a fairly easy read..." Read more

"I enjoyed Gaia, it was thought provoking and written well, although I was still left wanting...." Read more

"Hard read" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • T1
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting to Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 November 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Although I only just found the book and didn't realise until later that it was published some thirty (?) years ago, I was very impressed.
    A lot of customers have remarked that it is a 'must read' for people who care about the global environment, with which I totally agree. However, surely it is better for the uninformed (in the literal sense of the word) to be reading this - to learn more about the impacts of humanity on Gaia.
    I am sure that if I had read this some thirty years ago, I would have appreciated far more the 'global entity' and the way everything interacts with everything else (in the biological sense of the word). Is this sort of material supplied to schools/colleges for younger people to read (or was it supplied some thirty years ago), as this would surely be an ideal way to educate them in caring more for their environment.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Jeffrey A. McNeely
    5.0 out of 5 stars A provocative inspiration to thinking about the planet where we live
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 November 2024
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    James Lovelock's concept of Gaia treats planet Earth as a living organism that has goals, the most important of which is to maintain a climate that supports life on our home planet. In writing my own memoir about a career devoted to helping to conserve nature as a means of making the world a better place for both people and wildlife, I wanted to understand Gaia so of course I turned to Lovelock. This 1979 book opened my mind, and encouraged me to consult later versions, including his 1988 "The Ages of Gaia: A Biography of Our Living Earth". Thus enlightened, I could make better use of the work of Edward O. Wilson on Biodiversity (1988), The Future of Life (2002), the Social Conquest of Earth (2012), and Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life (2016), and Jared Diamond's Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (2005). The concept of Gaia is well worth contemplating by scientists, economists, and resource managers. It can lead to a better future for our only home.
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  • Mr. A. Milne
    4.0 out of 5 stars A must-read, but it is only a hypothesis
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 April 2013
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    Lovelock's Gaia theory was written in the 1970s, but by now has become one of the most iconic environmental and scientific hypotheses, and for that reason alone, it is worth a read. Almost every debate on global warming, pollution and damage to biodiversity references this idea at some point, and with good reason, as it is an interesting idea that certainly has some valid scientific, as well as intuitive, basis. While a passing knowledge of biology and chemistry is useful for some of the more scientific chapters, it is not necessary in order to understand the ideas, and the text is well written and easy to read. It is a book that everyone could and should read, but that doesn't mean that it is without flaws.

    Firstly, there is a difference between a hypothesis and a theory - a hypothesis is a proposed explanation, and only becomes a theory when its' arguments and anticipated effects are backed up by evidence. What this book contains is a hypothesis with some strong scientific evidence in parts, and some heavy speculation in other parts. The argument that the presence of life has maintained a different balance of elements and a different climate to what would occur without the existence of life is well explained and backed up with evidence, as are some specific examples around how certain systems regulate conditions such as the salinity of the ocean. However, in pursuit of the overall idea, I find that Lovelock starts to go a bit far, especially with the idea that life has in some way evolved to benefit the regulation of the planet. There is little evidence presented for this beyond the fact that it backs up his theory, and ideas such as the concept of corals building themselves into coral reefs to create evaporation lagoons with the intention of regulating the salt in the sea seem a bit too far-fetched.

    This book should be praised for raising awareness of how inter-related life on earth is, and the indirect effects of our actions, but you may be surprised at some of the opinions on environmental issues in here. For example, Lovelock dismisses the threat to the ozone layer from CFCs as being insignificant (albeit partly due to the over-the-top doom-mongering at the time, rather than the modern worry that it will merely increase the chances of skin cancer).

    Overall, it is a must-read, for the interesting ideas and for its' significance in modern thinking about the critical topics of the environment, but be warned that it is more of an expression of an idea than a fully explained thesis (I believe his book, 'The Ages of Gaia' provides a more scientific approach)
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic product and seller. Recommended.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 November 2024
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    Well packaged and fast delivery.
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  • ots
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gaia is earth and us...
    Reviewed in the United States on 12 January 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Lovelock quite rightly is widely considered the originator or at the very least the primary popularizer and promotor of Gaia Theory. This book is a beautiful explanation and summary.

    I have believed for a long time now that his theory not only makes scientific sense but should by now in 2024 simply be Common Sense. It is all a giant living self-regulating system--this planet and all its life forms, too.

    We can get all caught up in arguments about what it means to say the earth is alive or has consciousness, etc. But the facts suggest it is so. Read this small book and be moved, impressed, amazed, delighted.

    Gaia Theory could be the Great Myth we humans live by, the great opportunity we have as sentient human beings. To honor Mother Earth and work with her instead of against her could be the answer we unconsciously seek now through religions and all the other mad human ego games and superstitions. I'm not at all sure we humans are wise enough as a species to grasp the opportunity we have but if we continue destroying the earth, she, Gaia, may very well cast us off and continue on without us.

    As for me, I will love her to whatever end befalls me. Get on board. There is plenty of room...
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  • Giulia
    3.0 out of 5 stars Bel libro
    Reviewed in Italy on 30 August 2021
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    Offre buoni spunti di riflessione
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  • ANA CRISTINA KLOSTERMANN
    5.0 out of 5 stars Chegou no prazo
    Reviewed in Brazil on 25 May 2020
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    Perfeito
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  • Bleadon
    5.0 out of 5 stars still relevant
    Reviewed in Canada on 12 March 2020
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    This a book written for non science types. I am still not certain the Earth is a living entity - Gaia but there are checks and balances that keep the environment habitable. As long as humans don't destroy some of the control mechanisms then the planet will support us. I liked the book because it is close to my own views on humans and climate. Th author also presents a case for the linkages between the soil, atmosphere, and oceans. It all seems reasonable. There are still holes in the arguments but it gives something to debate.
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  • Nitya Dambiec
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very positive take on ecology
    Reviewed in Spain on 20 January 2019
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    Nice to see a book about ecology that is also positive about humanity and technology. The authors humiliy in accepting his mistakes and improving his arguments and scienxe moves ahead is also applaudable. Easy to read for anyone not of a scientific bent or training.
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