
A Matter of Wonder
What Biology Reveals about Us, Our World, and Our Dreams. Translated by A. Shields
G. Schatz(Author)
Karger, S (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 31. May 2011
Book
Hardback
202 pages
978-3-8055-9744-9 (ISBN)
Description
Where do we come from? Is our destiny determined by the genes we inherit? Do we all see the same blue color when we look at the sky? In this book Gottfried (Jeff) Schatz, the world-renowned biochemist and co-discoverer of mitochondrial DNA, gives lucid - albeit often surprising - answers to universal questions and takes the reader on a fascinating journey of discovery across the boundaries of scientific disciplines. With passion and a keen sense of wonder, he draws on philosophy, cultural history and art to formulate his reflections on the mystery of life. The key to understanding life is to be found in its chemistry, and he proves that this is no dry endeavor and certainly not devoid of beauty. The result is a collection of eloquently and poetically written essays dealing with key issues in the natural sciences. It will appeal not only to scientists, but to all curious minds, regardless of educational and professional background. (A Karger "Publishing Highlights 1890-2015" title)
Reviews / Votes
"'A collection of extraordinary essays, reminiscent in many ways - scope, erudition, clarity, occasional whimsicality and sassiness - of Stephen Jay Gould's essays for Natural History.' Herbert Deinert Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 'A remarkable fusion of science and humanism.' Eugene P. Kennedy Harvard University, Boston, Mass."More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Basel
Switzerland
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
2
2 Abbildungen
2 fig., 2 in color; 2 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 21 cm
Width: 13.5 cm
Weight
420 gr
ISBN-13
978-3-8055-9744-9 (9783805597449)
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Content
Foreword; Strangers within Me; Ominous Visitors; Punishing Protectors; The Little Brother; The Voice of Silence; Clocks of Life; My World; Children of the Sun; Mysterious Senses; Fateful Colors; Portrait of a Protein; Traces; Stardust; Creative Craters; Master Chemist from the Dawn of Life; Reflections on Myself; The Twilight of Iron; Beyond Genes; The Foundation of Things; Voices of the Night; Acknowledgements; About the Author; About the Translator; Index.