Review by Choice Review
The title refers to an old cartographer's notation for an unknown region, and, indeed the study of extraterrestrial life is a study of an "unknown region" in science. Koerner (astronomer, Univ. of Pennsylvania) and LeVay (biologist) write from their respective viewpoints in science in an excellent complement to works like palaeobiologist Malcolm Walter's The Search for Life on Mars (CH, Jun'00). Koerner and LeVay discuss the controversy between evolutionists and creationists and such diverse subjects as what type of information-carrying molecule came first in the evolution of life, postulating possible life forms on other planets from knowledge gained from studies of life on Earth, the transfer of genes between different species, theories of star-system formation, the probability of evolution of intelligence on alien planets, and the place of robots in the evolution of intelligent life on Earth and elsewhere. There are excellent descriptions and discussions of theories and research problems; suggested readings in each chapter are linked to references in the notes section. The color plates are excellent, but unfortunately the publisher's numbering system is not the same as the authors'. Recommended. All levels. P. R. Douville; Central Connecticut State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
The title of this book about the origin of life and its occurrence outside Earth is taken from the Latin phrase hic sunt dracones, which Renaissance cartographers allegedly put on the blank parts of their maps. Although this may not be completely true, the analogy is an apt one: uncharted areas of knowledge are filled with mysteries that lure scientific adventurers on a quest for truth. Koerner and LeVay, an astronomer and a biologist respectively, make it clear from the start that they find the quest fascinating, especially because the evidence is so elusive. Nonetheless, they offer a broad overview of up-to-date research and thought on topics ranging from the chemistry of life's origins to the search for extra-solar planets, the process of evolution, and the nature of life and the cosmos. A key problem is that no one knows how living organisms arise from nonliving substances; until that knowledge gap is bridged, we will be at a loss to predict where else we might find alien, especially intelligent, life. --George Eberhart
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Exobiology (or cosmic biology), the scientific search for life beyond Earth, "resembles a brainstorming session, with many discordant voices," according to this up-to-date report that mirrors that ferment. Koerner, a planetary scientist, and LeVay, a neuroanatomist, favor the view that technologically advanced civilizations are common in our galaxy and beyond, though many of their colleagues disagree. Their heady tour skips from "extraterrestrial environments" right here on Earth (Antarctica, Death Valley, etc.) where NASA scientists are investigating extreme environments believed to resemble conditions on other planets or moons, through the SETI Institute in California, whose radio telescopes scan the skies for transmitting civilizations, to the Bios Group, a Santa Fe start-up company that uses complexity theory to explore the intrinsic rules underlying the growth of evolving organisms or human institutions. Koerner has used the Hubble Space Telescope to study the birth of planets, and the book presents the latest evidence that planetary systems do indeed swirl around many stars besides our sun. The authors include a superficial, dismissive chapter on UFOs and reported alien contact. But their open-mindedness within the establishment field of exobiology, an area that is now the "recipient of huge government resources," is manifest as they contemplate multiverse models of coexisting universes or attend a NASA workshop where astronomers, engineers and futurists discuss antimatter propulsion and laser-powered craft. Koerner and LeVay have a gift for helping the uninitiated over technical terrain, aided by clear writing, intuitive examples, color and b&w photos, and drawings. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Planetary scientist Koerner and neuroanatomist LeVay have written a clear, concise, and engaging overview of the hypotheses, experiments, explorations, and issues that surround exobiology, the search for life forms, intelligent beings, and advanced civilizations elsewhere in the universe. Their open-minded and level-headed presentation takes readers from the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico to emerging star systems throughout our galaxy. One becomes acutely aware of both the technological challenges of exobiological research and the philosophical ramifications should life as we know it (or don't know it) be found on other worlds. Topics critically discussed range from the origin of life on Earth to extrasolar planets and the Taurus-Auriga molecular cloud. Koerner and LeVay excel at making complex empirical information both comprehensive and relevant. Fascinating, and inspiring, and rich in ideas, this is highly recommended for all science collections.--H. James Birx, Canisius Coll., Buffalo, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
