Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth (Oxford Landmark Science)

Well-written and full of interesting scientific facts

I read this amazing book for the first time in German and liked it. Now I ordered it in the original English and liked it even more.James Loveleock`A treasure box of good scientific explanations, in support of a holistic model of planet earth, the book demonstrates the vulnerable nature of our existence on planet earth and makes many good points for us to consider. Brlliant style, intelligent reasoning, amazing insights!

Convincing and exquisite

This excellent book presents the theory that life on Earth has not "only" adapted to the existing environment it found but has actively modified the changing conditions on Earth over billions of years so that they are suitable for the necessities of the living. Lovelock is not only a passionate scientist, who precisely argues all of his assumptions, but also a good writer. Although the book tells us about a scientific theory, it is not written in a complex way, nor with scientific rigou

Interesting Hypothesis in Somewhat Convoluted Form

James Lovelock has created a powerful and interesting argument in this book that will keep scientists busy for centuries. He notices that there is an ability for the Earth to maintain relatively constant conditions in temperature, atmosphere, salinity and pH of the oceans, and reductions in pollutants that defies the simple observations of what "should" happen. From this, he concludes that there is a complex of physical, chemical and biological interrelationships that work like a living

How to change your outlook

Although parts of the text are confusing and too deep for a mere mortal like myself, this book changed the whole way I look at the earth and my own role upon it, not to mention the part my species is taking. Reading and re-reading yields great rewards, the arguments, whether agreed with or not, are cogent and thought provoking, and will provide for many a night spent in those deep discussions with friends

Like Rachel Carson’s  Silent Spring: Written by Rachel Carson, 1905 Edition, Publisher: Mariner Books [Paperback ], which gave an inchoate environmental movement in the early 1960s a scientifically grounded focal point and passionate call to arms, Lovelock’s book nudged the movement forward by offering an innovative perspective

Like Rachel Carson’s  Silent Spring: Written by Rachel Carson, 1905 Edition, Publisher: Mariner Books [Paperback ], which gave an inchoate environmental movement in the early 1960s a scientifically grounded focal point and passionate call to arms, Lovelock’s book nudged the movement forward by offering an innovative perspective. Unfortunately, it is neither as compelling in its arguments nor has it aged as well as Carson’s classic. Lovelock’s book is not science (t

Lovelock's Gaia theory was written in the 1970s, but by now has become one of the most iconic environmental and scientific hypotheses, and for that reason alone, it is worth a read

Lovelock's Gaia theory was written in the 1970s, but by now has become one of the most iconic environmental and scientific hypotheses, and for that reason alone, it is worth a read. Almost every debate on global warming, pollution and damage to biodiversity references this idea at some point, and with good reason, as it is an interesting idea that certainly has some valid scientific, as well as intuitive, basis. While a passing knowledge of biology and chemistry is useful for some of the more sc

James Lovelock has created a powerful and interesting argument in this book that will keep scientists busy for centuries

James Lovelock has created a powerful and interesting argument in this book that will keep scientists busy for centuries. He notices that there is an ability for the Earth to maintain relatively constant conditions in temperature, atmosphere, salinity and pH of the oceans, and reductions in pollutants that defies the simple observations of what "should" happen. From this, he concludes that there is a complex of physical, chemical and biological interrelationships that work like a living

I first read this book about 20 years ago

I first read this book about 20 years ago. I was impressed and intrigued then and remain so now. The theory expressed is a valid today as when the book was first published. Lovelock's forward provides valuable thought provoking ideas. A really interesting and captivating read.

Even now this is a really interesting book

Even now this is a really interesting book. I'm in my 3rd of 4 years of a chemistry degree, and so decided to pick it up to give me some background about the environment of the earth, as well as how the way the earth's atmosphere has been changing in recent years. The book is a fairly easy read , and I never found it excessively heavy, even

In essence, Lovelock says that since evolution started eons ago, all forms of life evolved together resulting not only in balance among themselves and their surroundings, but also in such a way that they regulate the environment, controlling the atmosphere, the salinity of the seas and the temperature

In essence, Lovelock says that since evolution started eons ago, all forms of life evolved together resulting not only in balance among themselves and their surroundings, but also in such a way that they regulate the environment, controlling the atmosphere, the salinity of the seas and the temperature. This complex eco-system is presumably an inevitable consequence of the algorithm of evolution running successfully. Want to know if there is life on another planet? Easy, look at the atmosphere.