Life on the Edge Book Summary

In "Life on the Edge," Johnjoe McFadden and Jim Al-Khalili explore the thrilling intersection of quantum physics and biology, revealing how the principles of quantum mechanics play a crucial role in the functioning of living organisms. They challenge conventional biological theories by proposing that life itself is a quantum phenomenon, influencing everything from photosynthesis to our very consciousness. The authors journey through the wonders of nature, unveiling astonishing discoveries about how the microscopic and macroscopic worlds are interconnected. With captivating anecdotes and groundbreaking hypotheses, this book encourages us to rethink what it means to be alive. Prepare to have your mind expanded as you dive into the enigmatic world where life meets the quantum realm.

By Johnjoe McFadden, Jim Al-Khalili

Published: 2016

"We are not merely passengers on a fragile planet, but architects of our own existence, intricately woven into the fabric of the universe."

Book Review of Life on the Edge

New York Times bestseller • Life on the Edge alters our understanding of our world's fundamental dynamics through the use of quantum mechanics. Life is the most extraordinary phenomenon in the known universe; but how did it come to be? Even in an age of cloning and artificial biology, the remarkable truth remains: nobody has ever made anything living entirely out of dead material. Life remains the only way to make life. Are we still missing a vital ingredient in its creation? Using first-hand experience at the cutting edge of science, Jim Al-Khalili and Johnjoe Macfadden reveal that missing ingredient to be quantum mechanics. Drawing on recent ground-breaking experiments around the world, each chapter in Life on the Edge illustrates one of life's puzzles: How do migrating birds know where to go? How do we really smell the scent of a rose? How do our genes copy themselves with such precision? Life on the Edge accessibly reveals how quantum mechanics can answer these probing questions of the universe. Guiding the reader through the rapidly unfolding discoveries of the last few years, Al-Khalili and McFadden describe the explosive new field of quantum biology and its potentially revolutionary applications, while offering insights into the biggest puzzle of all: what is life? As they brilliantly demonstrate in these groundbreaking pages, life exists on the quantum edge. Winner, Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication

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We are not merely passengers on a fragile planet, but architects of our own existence, intricately woven into the fabric of the universe.

Life on the Edge

By Johnjoe McFadden, Jim Al-Khalili