'Equations of Life: How Physics Shapes Evolution' by Charles S. Cockell

Equations of Life: How Physics Shapes Evolution, Charles S. Cockell (3.0)

This book started off very slowly for me, but I did enjoy the last 1/3. I think the problem was that many of my questions about the author’s assumptions weren’t answered until the last few chapters. A major assumption of physicists is that all elements and the rules of physics work the same in all possible universes. Mr. Cockell chapter by chapter discusses theories of why, if life does emerge elsewhere, it will likely have some similarities to life on earth. He uses physics, chemistry and biology to discuss in detail how our life works from its inception through evolution. Given what we currently know of other planets’ environments, he looks at the possibility of other combinations to form life. My favorite sections were ones that covered favorite science fiction tropes (i.e. would lower gravity allow aliens to fly?). While it’s hard not to like a science book that discusses the possibility of alien life, I found the majority of the first half of the book rather ‘ho hum’. Perhaps it would appeal to someone less familiar with the physics and biology covered.