Product Description

The sweeping diversity of complex life on Earth, Ward and Brownlee argue, evolved out of an extraordinary set of physical conditions and chance events that would be extremely hard to duplicate––though not impossible. Many planets throughout the vastness of the Universe may be teeming with microbial life, but advancement beyond this stage is very rare. Everyone with an interest in the possible extent of life in the Universe and the nature of life's evolution on our own planet will be fascinated by Rare Earth. "...likely to cause a revolution in thinking..." The New York Times "...[the book] has hit the world of astrobiologists like a killer asteroid..." Newsday (New York) "...a sobering and valuable perspective..." Science "...a startling new hypothesis..." Library Journal "...Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee offer a powerful argument..." The Economist "...provocative, significant, and sweeping..." Northwest Science & Technology "...a stellar example of clear writing..." American Scientist

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #110853 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
"Do you feel lucky? Well do ya?" asked Dirty Harry. Palaeontologist Peter Ward and astronomer Donald Brownlee think all of us should feel lucky. Their rare Earth hypothesis predicts that while simple, microbial life will be very widespread in the universe, complex animal or plant life will be extremely rare. Ward and Brownlee admit that "it is very difficult to do statistics with an N of 1. But in our defence, we have staked out a position rarely articulated but increasingly accepted by many astrobiologists."

Their new science is the field of biology ratcheted up to encompass not just life on earth but also life beyond earth. It forces us to reconsider the life of our planet as a single example of how life might work, rather than as the only example.

The revolution in astrobiology during the 1990s was twofold. First, scientists grew to appreciate how incredibly robust microbial life can be, found in the superheated water of deep-sea vents, pools of acid, or even within the crust of the Earth itself. The chance of finding such simple life on other bodies in our solar system has never seemed more realistic. But second, scientists have begun to appreciate how many unusual factors have co-operated to make earth a congenial home for animal life: Jupiter's stable orbit, the presence of the Moon, plate tectonics, just the right amount of water, the right position in the right sort of galaxy. Ward and Brownlee make a convincing if depressing case for their hypothesis, undermining the principle of mediocrity (or, "Earth isn't all that special") that has ruled astronomy since Copernicus. --Mary Ellen Curtin

From Library Journal
Renowned paleontologist Ward (Univ. of Washington), who has authored numerous books and articles, and Brownlee, a noted astronomer who has also researched extraterrestrial materials, combine their interests, research, and collaborative thoughts to present a startling new hypothesis: bacterial life forms may be in many galaxies, but complex life forms, like those that have evolved on Earth, are rare in the universe. Ward and Brownlee attribute Earth's evolutionary achievements to the following critical factors: our optimal distance from the sun, the positive effects of the moon's gravity on our climate, plate tectonics and continental drift, the right types of metals and elements, ample liquid water, maintainance of the correct amount of internal heat to keep surface temperatures within a habitable range, and a gaseous planet the size of Jupiter to shield Earth from catastrophic meteoric bombardment. Arguing that complex life is a rare event in the universe, this compelling book magnifies the significance-and tragedy-of species extinction. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries. Gloria Maxwell, Penn Valley Community Coll. Lib., Kansas City Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Review
From the reviews
.,." Their paradoxical finding ... has hit the world of astrobiologists like a killer asteroid ..."
"New York Newsday"
"Now, two prominent scientists say the conventional wisdom is wrong. The alien search, they add, is likely to fail ... "Rare Earth,.".is producing whoops of criticism and praise...(some) call it 'brilliant' and 'courageous'."
"The New York Times"
"Its brilliant ... courageous ... It's rare in literature and science that a stance goes so far against the grain."
"Dr. Geoffrey W. Marcy, UC at Berkeley (Quoted in the NY" "TIMES)"
The author says
.,." there could be billions of of planets with intelligent, alien species. It's a breathtaking concept. But is it credible? In our book "Rare Earth," Don Brownlee and I argue that even the simplest forms of animal life are exeedingly rare in our Galaxy, and in the Universe beyond."
"Peter Ward, New Scientist"

Customer Reviews

A real good read
Ward & Brownlee set out very clearly their hypothesis that complex life is unlikely to be common in the universe. One of the beauties of the book is that it deals with the latest ideas in astrobiology. Using these ideas it sets out the thesis that for simple life to arise in the universe may not be rare, since it took a mere 600 million years for "simple life" to arise after the formation of the earth. However since it then took "complex (animal) life" a further 3 400 million years to evolve it would seem far less likely to occur. Using the earth as their only possible example, the factors needed for complex life to arise - & to be maintained - are explored at length. They conclude that "With the best intentions, but limited by natural laws & materials it is unlikely that Earth could ever truly be replicated. Too many processes in its formation involved sheer luck".

The exploration of these processes in some detail I found both fascinating & easy to read. They ranged from galaxies, the formation of the earth, extremophiles, snowball earth, plate tectonics to the roles of the moon & Jupiter. On another level it provided a fresh way of approaching the evolution of complex life on earth. I became so interested & absorbed in this new material that I read the book for a second time this time making notes for my own use. It has also provided me with jumping off points to find out more on the various topics from the internet.

All in all a real good read. I only withhold one star because I hope, when they produce the next edition, the dog's breakfast that is Fig 9.1 is drastically revised.

Unemployed exobiologists form queue here!
If you want a clear, succinct outline of all the forces involved in traversing life's tortured course, you have it here. What is the likelihood another world possesses all the factors needed to drive simple molecules along a track leading to a creature capable of thinking about communicating across vast stellar distances? In dealing with this question, Ward and Brownlee synthesized an immense amount of information, presenting it in a finely crafted style. In fact, the extraterrestrial aspects become relegated to short pieces at chapters' ends. Leaving no stone unturned, the authors deal with cosmology, physics, chemistry and, of course, biology, in easily absorbed prose. Given the wealth of information they needed to survey, no accolade can do sufficient justice to their presentation.

Nearly twenty years ago, James Trefil and Robert Rood published "Are We Alone?". From a list of then-known conditions needed to allow life to begin and evolve, the authors offered optimistic and pessimistic scenarios on whether alien civilizations were likely to exist. Ward and Brownlee have improved the resolution of this question, using the latest information. Sadly, but almost certainly correctly, the come down strongly on the pessimistic side.

Paleontology has come far since Are We Alone? was published. Ward and Brownlee's account surveys utilizes the wealth of recent information derived from research studies done during the past few years. With life beginning over 3 thousand million years ago, their task is formidable. Yet they carry us through the stages life without bogging down in pedantic expression. They show how misleading simple pictures of life's progress can be, showing how even "simple" creatures are astonishingly complex.

The studies and researchers they discuss offer a wealth of new information, including a few acute surprises. Evolution is fraught with disaster scenarios. Ward and Brownlee offer a good discussion of these, particularly the great Permian dying. Diversity loss from this extinction was severe. Was it the result of a reduction in available DNA patterns due to the loss of species? This is a new question for which the authors call for further research in its response.

The most innovative chapter in the book deals with the impact of plate tectonics on evolution. More than simply the drifting of continental land masses, the authors describe how severely mobile continents impact ocean currents, air masses and climate generally. Little considered by paleontologists except as a dating and location device, Ward and Brownlee make continental drift a major factor in evolution. Since no other planet in the solar system exhibits tectonic activity, what is the likelihood this phenomenon occurs on planets circling distant stars? No tectonics, no stimulus to higher life forms and interplanetary communication.

In short, this book covers an immense amount of territory in explaining how life starts and likely continues under the proper conditions. They present nicely balanced explanations and critiques of recent research findings. Even outlandish ideas are given a patient hearing. As they remind us, who would have thought life could dwell at the bottom of the ocean's depths? It's well worth investing in this view of life's history. While posing many questions, the authors show how innovative thinking may someday provide answers . Anyone considering entering a scientific field will discover countless areas of investigation. This book should find a place on your shelves for current knowledge and future reference. Perhaps you might gain a place in a revised edition. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

A great book!
In this book, the authors make the case that while microbial life might be quite common throughout the universe, it might just be that complex life is quite uncommon indeed. In making their case, the authors take the reader on a breathtaking trip through the history of our own Earth. They explain many key concepts in astrobiology, and show that many of the key factors in the rise of complex life on Earth are a result of pure chance, and that with minor changes in these factors complex life would not have evolved at all.

I found this book's description and analysis of the evolution of life quite fascinating. Even if you do not agree with the authors' conclusions, this history of evolution is worth the time taken to read the book. I must add, though, that while the title states affirmatively that complex life is uncommon, the authors are careful to explain that their analysis is based on data provided by only one planet and solar system, and that complex life might prove to be more common than they suggest.

Overall this is a great book, and a fascinating read. I recommend it wholeheartedly.