The Wine of Life, and Other Essays on Societies, Energy & Living Things

Great collection, many thought provoking essays. Although it was written long ago, they don't age. This is my second copy, I read it many years ago and decided to buy another copy to re-read it.

Here once again we have a fine book written by the biophysicist / biochemist / molecular biologist Harold Morowitz of Yale university. His books rank among the finest science books I've ever read, and the present one is no exception.THE WINE OF LIFE is another set of essays written by Morowitz, loosely grouped into general categories. The essays were originally written as articles for HOSPITAL PRACTICE, which is a magazine primarily geared towards physicians. Despite this professional intended audience, however, the writings contained in this book are accessible to both the scientist and layman alike.Contained in this book are discussions of an extraordinarily wide range of topics - far too many to list here. However, some of the highlights are: the real worth of man (biologically / materially speaking), mysteries of science, the implications of genetic research, the (unnecessary) politics of funding scientific endeavors, common tactics used in the polemics of science and much more. Thrown in for amusement, the great scientist critiques the veracity of nutritionists and questions exactly what we know, specifically, about the topic. Morowitz concludes the book with a debate that he had with his hairdresser over the efficacy of various materials contained in his shampoo.Perhaps the single most important essay is called DRINKING HEMLOCK AND OTHER NUTRITIONAL MATTERS. In this piece, Morowitz comments on how lacking the US educational system is on the topic of epistemology. Rather than something that should be laid aside for graduate students in philosophy and science, he postulates that it should be something that is taught from day 1. I, for one, agree with him. This essay alone is worth the price of the book.If you want a book that covers everything from thermodynamics to the legitimacy of medical school entrance credentials, this book is for you. If you want essays that are brief but edifying, this is the book to read. I would highly recommend this book to scientists, philosophers and scholars of all topics.