Stuff of Life

Those of us who didn't exactly fly through our science courses (there's a reason some of us turned to English) will appreciate The Stuff of Life. I imagine most everyone would, even the scientists and science enthusiasts who managed to grasp difficult theories and concepts early on. The Stuff of Life is incredibly thorough and, best of all, wonderfully accessible for experts and laymen alike. The book has already been tagged with high praise and awards (a Great Graphic Novels for Teens nominee from YALSA, a Scientific American Book Club Alternate Selection, a feature in Wired magazine). It's a bit difficult to decide where to place the book: It's scientifically accurate, a point it rightfully prides itself on, but it's also a quite fictional account of an asexual alien race attempting to learn more about our planet. So, fiction it is, but keep in mind that the data is sound here. In fact, the book is the first in a planned series devoted to teaching real and accurate science through graphic novels. Writer Mark Schultz and artists Zander and Kevin Cannon deserve praise for taking such potentially dry topic material and making it not only understandable but also fresh. It's not childish (although it does have touches of that) and it's not so irreverent that it misses its own point. The Stuff of Life has a daunting task: Walk the fine line between education and entertainment without veering too far off into either direction. It succeeds in that way because it doesn't take itself too seriously. Science, on the other hand, is a different matter entirely. That it definitely takes seriously. The entire scope of genetics gets its due throughout the book, spanning some five million years of human existence and incorporating the vast and wonderful array of life on the planet. The book has a distinct sense of wonder about the entire thing, and it's hard not to get swept up in it. It's just so exciting to think about, so awe-inspiring and incredible. It turns out there was a lot we all should have been paying attention to in science class. Luckily, it's not too late. -- John Hogan

It makes all the sense in the world to convey such complicated scientific information visually in a format that's friendly and not at all intimidating. In fact, this thoroughly comprehensive guide to genetics and DNA somehow manages to be downright whimsical and entertaining throughout. This isn't really surprising given the chops of award-winning author and sequential artist Mark Schultz and outstanding illustrators Zander and Kevin Cannon. The only hitch I have is that the silhouetted girl on the front cover uneasily reminds me of those reclining women on mud flaps. All in all, however, this text is a brilliant idea brilliantly executed!

Some people might be put off by the idea of a comic-format textbook. Don't be. This is easily the clearest, most readable introduction to the structure and function of DNA (among other,related, things) I've ever seen. The notion of an extraterrestrial alien explaining the nature of DNA to his superior extraterrestrial alien is quite unique, and ingenious. From the functioning of nucleotide base-pairs to the machinations of mutation and natural selection, this book covers the topic in a way one won't see elsewhere. Very highly recommended, and bravo to the author and the artists! I greatly treasure this book.

I bought this book because I am always looking for new ways to teach things to my high school students. After reading it, I went to my department head and (after he looked at the book) had little trouble convincing him to buy a classroom set to use to teach the basics of genetics. My class is now about half-way through the book and the students all seem to enjoy taking some time out to read (no mean feat in and of itself), and some have even said that seeing the pictures in the book has helped them with topics they were having trouble with. One word of warning is that some of the words used that are unrelated to science are a bit advanced (a great opportunity to teach more vocabulary), but the terms related to genetics are well explained and there is even a glossary to help students still having trouble.

Basicly, that says it all. Very complex things about how life works are described in a very easy to digest form. And it's fun! -- while I already know most of the things described in the book from Scientific American articles, reading it was refreshing and entertaining. P.S. In my copy, there's 2 pages number 44 -- one of them in place of page 36. Am I the only unlucky person?