Books of Distinction

In his latest far-reaching book, The Fifth Miracle, physicist and writer Paul Davies confronts one of science’s great outstanding mysteries: the origin of life. Three and a half billion years ago, Mars resembled Earth. If life once existed on Mars, might it have originated there and traveled to Earth inside meteorites blasted into space by cosmic impacts? Davies builds on the latest scientific discoveries and theories to address the larger question: What, exactly, is life? Is it the inevitable by-product of physical laws, as many scientists maintain, or an almost miraculous accident? Are we alone in the universe, or will life emerge on all Earth-like planets? And if there is life elsewhere in the universe, is it preordained to evolve toward greater complexity and intelligence?

Throughout the volume, the reader carefully examines the latest scientific evidence in an attempt to confront these contentious philosophical issues, as well as encountering a discussion of the second law of thermodynamics and the importance of astronomy to biogenesis, a review of fossil evidence for the earliest life forms and the evidence for revived panspermia theories. Most of the latter half of the book is devoted to radical new theories for the origin of life.

Book of Distinction: 2004
Publication Date: March 2000
ISBN: 9780684863092 (068486309X), $14.00, Paperback
Illustrations: no
Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Author Info

Paul C. Davies, Ph.D., is theoretical physicist and cosmologist, who holds the post of Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at Macquarie University, Sydney. He has previously held academic appointments at the universities of Cambridge, London, Newcastle upon Tyne and Adelaide. His research has been in the fields of quantum gravity, black holes and early-universe cosmology. More recently, he has worked in astrobiology on problems concerning the origin of life and the transfer of micro-organisms between planets. He is the author of over 25 books, including several best-sellers such as The Mind of God, About Time, The Fifth Miracle and How to Build a Time Machine. In addition, he has made and presented many television and radio documentaries that bring fundamental topics in science to a wider public. Dr. Davies was the recipient of the 1995 Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion.

Editorial Reviews



	Fifth Miracle, The The Search for the Origin & Meaning of Life Davies, Paul List Price: $14.00 Available at the Publisher's website Book Information / Details Author Info Editorial Reviews Press Release In his latest far-reaching book, The Fifth Miracle, physicist and writer Paul Davies confronts one of science’s great outstanding mysteries: the origin of life. Three and a half billion years ago, Mars resembled Earth. If life once existed on Mars, might it have originated there and traveled to Earth inside meteorites blasted into space by cosmic impacts? Davies builds on the latest scientific discoveries and theories to address the larger question: What, exactly, is life? Is it the inevitable by-product of physical laws, as many scientists maintain, or an almost miraculous accident? Are we alone in the universe, or will life emerge on all Earth-like planets? And if there is life elsewhere in the universe, is it preordained to evolve toward greater complexity and intelligence? Throughout the volume, the reader carefully examines the latest scientific evidence in an attempt to confront these contentious philosophical issues, as well as encountering a discussion of the second law of thermodynamics and the importance of astronomy to biogenesis, a review of fossil evidence for the earliest life forms and the evidence for revived panspermia theories. Most of the latter half of the book is devoted to radical new theories for the origin of life. Book of Distinction: 2004 Publication Date: March 2000 ISBN: 9780684863092 (068486309X), $14.00, Paperback Illustrations: no Publisher: Simon and Schuster Author Info Paul C. Davies, Ph.D., is theoretical physicist and cosmologist, who holds the post of Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at Macquarie University, Sydney. He has previously held academic appointments at the universities of Cambridge, London, Newcastle upon Tyne and Adelaide. His research has been in the fields of quantum gravity, black holes and early-universe cosmology. More recently, he has worked in astrobiology on problems concerning the origin of life and the transfer of micro-organisms between planets. He is the author of over 25 books, including several best-sellers such as The Mind of God, About Time, The Fifth Miracle and How to Build a Time Machine. In addition, he has made and presented many television and radio documentaries that bring fundamental topics in science to a wider public. Dr. Davies was the recipient of the 1995 Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion. Editorial Reviews Australian Bookseller & Publisher Magazine Booklist Choice Kirkus Reviews Library Journal Publishers Weekly School Library Journal Press Release no press releases for this title
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