Book Review - "Life in Space: Astrobiology for Everyone"

Astrobiology is still a bit of the new-kid-on-the block among the old boys of scientific disciplines. As humanity's knowledge of life processes from a global perspective has grown over the past decades, astrobiology has also evolved. While the author initially sounds a little defensive in defining what astrobiology isn't (it is not xenobiology or the study of life away from Earth), the book does a good job in explaining what astrobiology encompasses, and why it is of increasing importance to understanding life on Earth. The book covers almost all of the scientific disciplines (physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, philosophy, etc. ), but always with the aim of identifying the specific aspects of each that contribute to our understanding of life on a planetary scale.

First off, I have to say this book takes a while to read. While I consider myself a quick reader, finishing some books in as little as one rainy Seattle weekend afternoon, getting through this 330 page work took about a month of my reading time. However, this is not to say that the book is overly wordy or difficult to read; the reasons it took me a while was the repeated encounters with ideas and concepts profound enough to warrant some serious contemplation. I frequently found myself putting the book down and spending the next half hour turning over the last bit I read in my head, examining it from all sides and angles like a precious gemstone - which in many cases it was.

From the opening salvo on what astrobiology is (and isn't), to questions of what exactly life is (and isn't) the author not only raises some very challenging questions, but also discusses them based on the anchor tenets of fundamental science without ever drifting off into pure philosophical musings. Yes there are molecular formulae and astronomy data charts, but also refreshingly frank admissions of science's ignorance, like its inability to explain the transition from something "not-alive" to something "alive". For those looking for the more nuts-and-bolts of an astrobiologists day to day work, there is plenty of hard science to stimulate your gray matter too. In fact, if you are considering to take on this field of study (or if you are an engineer trying to design the next life-searching probe to Mars), I'd call this book required reading.

The book is well organized and while it took a while to finish, it never got boring. Each chapter has a clear focus on one of the puzzle pieces that make up the astrobiology whole, and the fact that topics are so diverse helps with keeping the reader's interest. Starting with the really big stuff (the Universe), it progresses to stars and planets taking a survey of all the planets in our solar system as well as those in others discovered so far. Then it's on to discussing cellular biology, the importance of time & energy in biochemistry, a chapter on biospheres, and the role of intelligence in the history of life.

One aspect that was particularly engaging to me, is that much of the material still has obvious gaps in what we (humanity) know about life so far. Not only does this give the reader opportunity to speculate on his own, but it really does give you the feeling of witnessing the leading edge of scientific discovery. Over time - as new discoveries are made - some of the content is sure to become dated; however I suspect it will be more of the gaps being filled, rather than included material becoming invalidated.

All things considered, while this book wasn't an easy "page-turner" read, it is highly rewarding if you put in the time and effort necessary to really consider what is presented. If you are looking for speculation on what the staple-diet of little green men on Alpha Centauri is you will be disappointed, but for an honest discussion of the present day body of knowledge (and remaining gaps) in the field of astrobiology it is an excellent read.

Title : Life in Space, Astrobiology for Everyone
Authors : Lucas John Mix
Length : 325 pages
Publication : Harvard University Press
Date : March 2009
ISBN-10 : 0674033213