By Neal Lemery
This engaging and well-crafted book reads like a thriller, pulling me deep into fascinating scientific research and a weaving together of personal stories, cutting edge research, and deep diving into scientific and social science.
I found myself enthralled in the author’s fascinating scientific thought which is crafted into engaging literature. The book is a rarity of being great literature about high level scientific research and theory.
A star of the New York Times best seller list, this compelling read is a vivid account of a major shift in how we understand Earth, from an exceptionally talented new voice. Earth is not simply an inanimate planet on which life evolved, but rather a planet that came to life.
“Glorious . . . full of achingly beautiful passages, mind-bending conceptual twists, and wonderful characters. Jabr reveals how Earth has been profoundly, miraculously shaped by life.”—Ed Yong, Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author of An Immense World
The book is a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and the Oregon Book Award, as well as a best book of the year for the Smithsonian, Scientific American, and Nature. And, a “best book of the summer” for the Atlantic and NPR’s Science Friday.
“One of humanity’s oldest beliefs is that our world is alive. Though once ridiculed by some scientists, the idea of Earth as a vast interconnected living system has gained acceptance in recent decades. We, and all living things, are more than inhabitants of Earth—we are Earth, an outgrowth of its structure and an engine of its evolution. Life and its environment have coevolved for billions of years, transforming a lump of orbiting rock into a cosmic oasis—a planet that breathes, metabolizes, and regulates its climate.
“Acclaimed science writer Ferris Jabr reveals a radical new vision of Earth where lush forests spew water, pollen, and bacteria to summon rain; giant animals engineer the very landscapes they roam; microbes chew rock to shape continents; and microscopic plankton, some as glittering as carved jewels, remake the air and sea.” — Amazon
One amazing tidbit: hawks and falcons start wildfires by dropping blazing sticks in dry grass, to expose their prey.
This book is a perfect summer read for the curious gardener and nature lover.
Becoming Earth: A Journey Through The Hidden Wonders That Bring Our Planet to Life, by Ferris Jabr (2024, 262 pages)