Origins of Existence: How Life Emerged in the Universe

I welcome this new book by professor Adams. While he draws from his previously published "The Five Ages of the Universe", cosmology material is upgraded, and at the same time, book contains refreshing chapter about origins of life (RNA, mutations, transfer from physics to biology, metabolism/replication, etc.) Are we alone in our region of observable Universe? - the author, who expands on Drake's Equation and adds speculations about digital and analog life forms, nicely analyzes this question.Density of information compares to heavy core of a massive star. Text is packed with knowledge and requires reader to concentrate on every sentence.Repetitions are present, but I found them helpful in memorizing what I have digested.I appreciated a very innovative logarithmic energy scale developed to compare terrestrial events and used throughout the whole book, as well as other numerical comparisons and tables.Generally author avoids mathematical equations. Exception can be found on page 194 (bottom) but formula is not explained.I would consider this expression as Friedmann's Equation for Universe evolution. Illustrations could be less artistic and more "scientific", but this is subject of individual taste. "Origins of Existence" are in full agreement with currently published WMAP satellite findings (confirmations); therefore it is a valuable position for every cosmology enthusiast.

Timely and fascinating, Adams' second book examines emergence theory...sort of. Emergence theory is usually the realm of biologists--Adams is an astrophysicist. He explores the roles played by astronomical structures and physical laws in the origin of life. "Origins of Existence" is energetic and thoughtful. Its detailed and thorough explanations engage the reader: catalyzing questions, rather than offering simple answers. Final chapter is especially challenging and wonderful. I loved enough to read it twice.

I teach introductory astronomy to liberal arts majors, and Ihave been strongly recommending this book to students seeking a betterunderstanding of cosmology, planet formation, the prospectsfor life elsewhere, and all the viscerally exciting topics thatI touch but do not elaborate on in class.Indeed, Origins of Existence is a book of astounding scope. Itseeks (and succeeds) to explain on every level how things came to be, tracing the arc of development from quantum fluctuations in the Big Bang through the emergence of life and intelligence.Adams proceeds with accuracy, clarity, and occasional dry humor.Unlike many popular science books written by Big PictureTheorists, this text is correct down to the carefully researcheddetail. Adams is never out of his depth, and is equally at homewith String Theory or Evolutionary Biology. I have not seenthis scope of subject mastery in any other comparable book.Origins of Existence is accessible to anyone with interest, butAdams' respect for the subject matter steers him from easilydigestible generalizations, necessarily keeping the book frombeing an `easy' read. Having finished it, however, I found that the reward of a deeper grasp of this material is absolutely worththe effort. Five stars without hesitation!

I'm a cosmologist (I work on some of the issues discussed inthis book). I think it's the best thing to come along in a long,long, time. I agree with roboadler's description of the way in which it is written, but I assume a reader is interested in learning about this stuff, not a story-time about the people in the game. There are lots of other places you can go for that.This discusses cosmology, but with a view continually to the questions related to why we are here. I think it is wonderful.This is the first new pop cosmology book I will have been willingto recommend in more than five years.