Vital Question

Nick Lane has published four critically acclaimed books, translated into 20 languages; most recently The Vital Question. He was awarded the 2015 Biochemical Society Award for his outstanding contribution to the molecular life sciences. Life Ascending won the 2010 Royal Society Prize for Science Books.Nick is a biochemist in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London.'Like his forebears in that same department - Steve Jones, JBS Haldane - he's that rare species, a scientist who can illuminate the bewildering complexities of biology with clear, luminous words' (Observer)'One of the most exciting science writers of our time' (Independent)

One of the deepest, most illuminating books about the history of life to have been published in recent years. Economist A game-changing book... Nick Lane is an original researcher and thinker and a passionate and stylish populariser. His theories are ingenious, breathtaking in scope, and challenging in every sense ... intellectually what Lane is proposing, if correct, will be as important as the Copernican revolution. -- Peter Forbes Guardian Comes triumphantly close to cracking the secret of why life is the way it is, to a depth that would boggle any ancient philosopher's mind. -- Matt Ridley The Times A bold, eloquent, confident book... Nick Lane is not only a master storyteller, but this is his research... he's that rare species, a scientist who can illuminate the bewildering complexities of biology with clear, luminous words -- Adam Rutherford Observer A strikingly unconventional view of biology... Dr. Lane's broad perspective, which attempts to address the origins of life, sex and death, is seductive and often convincing. -- Tim Requarth New York Times Succeeds brilliantly ... I cannot recommend The Vital Question too highly. Lane's vivid descriptions and powerful reasoning will amaze and grip the reader -- Caspar Henderson Sunday Telegraph Nick Lane...is emerging as one of the most imaginative thinkers about the evolution of life on Earth...a scintillating synthesis of a new theory of life -- Clive Cookson Financial Times Intellectually thrilling -- Mark Haddon This is a book of vast scope and ambition, brimming with bold and important ideas...The arguments are powerful and persuasive...If you're interested in life, you should read this book... an incredible, epic story -- Michael Le Page New Scientist An exciting tale, thrilling told... A potent book, one that not only brings you up to date with biology but also stuns you with the wonder of it all -- Bryan Appleyard Sunday Times A tour de force of inventive science -- Philip Ball Prospect