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The Secrets of Life #1
How Did Life End Up With Us?
Why does the gene behave like a hedge fund manager? Why are mutations like a gambling scam? Why does nothing ever become top dog in life and win forever?
Humans only arrived after 99.99% of the time there’s been life on earth. So what was here before us? And how did these species, and the evolutionary process that created them, end up with the unpromising creatures that were our ancestors?
In this, the first book of The Secrets of Life quartet, SS O’Connor brings his outsider’s, questioning eye to reveal the great forces that lie behind from the laws that arose with Big Bang, through to the ‘decisions’ that organisms make to determine their chances.
But how did everything come about? And what made some life forms succeed - while others would join the 99.9% of species that appeared, yet went on to become extinct? The story goes right back to our single-celled forebears - the only things that were on the planet for 80% of its existence, and then continues as it lays out the ways that successive transmissions built increasing complexity, and how the resulting species found their synergistic ways of coexisting.
In an easy-going, conversational style, O'Connor explains in lay-man's language how the gene is the great conductor of life’s orchestra, how it helped millions of life forms to refine themselves - yet why it also sees failure, death and extinctions as opportunities rather than disasters.
Last, the book tells the story of the men who unpicked the mysteries, what they meant by fitness and ‘the fittest’, but why they continued to be baffled by organisms that broke the rules by helping each other. Why would some even choose to be sterile when producing the next generation was the overriding compulsion in life? And why would the answer to this question explain why altruism is the proof for the ‘gene-based theory of evolution’ - and why cooperation was to become the strongest force in life?
Humans only arrived after 99.99% of the time there’s been life on earth. So what was here before us? And how did these species, and the evolutionary process that created them, end up with the unpromising creatures that were our ancestors?
In this, the first book of The Secrets of Life quartet, SS O’Connor brings his outsider’s, questioning eye to reveal the great forces that lie behind from the laws that arose with Big Bang, through to the ‘decisions’ that organisms make to determine their chances.
But how did everything come about? And what made some life forms succeed - while others would join the 99.9% of species that appeared, yet went on to become extinct? The story goes right back to our single-celled forebears - the only things that were on the planet for 80% of its existence, and then continues as it lays out the ways that successive transmissions built increasing complexity, and how the resulting species found their synergistic ways of coexisting.
In an easy-going, conversational style, O'Connor explains in lay-man's language how the gene is the great conductor of life’s orchestra, how it helped millions of life forms to refine themselves - yet why it also sees failure, death and extinctions as opportunities rather than disasters.
Last, the book tells the story of the men who unpicked the mysteries, what they meant by fitness and ‘the fittest’, but why they continued to be baffled by organisms that broke the rules by helping each other. Why would some even choose to be sterile when producing the next generation was the overriding compulsion in life? And why would the answer to this question explain why altruism is the proof for the ‘gene-based theory of evolution’ - and why cooperation was to become the strongest force in life?
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2023
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 9, 2023
I learnt a lot when reading this book a it was so insightful,scientific and loads and loads of really interesting topics and facts discussed.The first book in the series and am really enjoying the rest.Thank you literally Pr for sending me a copy.Looking forward to finishing the rest in the series
April 7, 2023
HOW DID LIFE END UP WITH US? investigates, discusses and enlightens the reader to many of life's great questions. Questions such as,
Why can’t everything carry on forever?
What was the Big Bang and what happened?
What is DNA?
What’s bacteria got to do with us, humans?
How did life go from single cells to end up with organisms like us?
I’ve always been fascinated by how life began and how the earth and life evolved into what we have today. Up until now, though, all literature on this subject was as clear as mud. Science was never one of my strongest subjects, mainly due to the terminology used. To me, it might as well have been written in another language. But now, at last, here’s a book which explains and discusses the function of atoms, genes, cells and molecules in an easily digestible way. S S O’Connor explains, without mind-numbing elaborate words, and all this is supported with texts by the greats such as; Charles Darwin, James Hutton, William Smith, Alfred Russel Wallace, Lynn Margulis and JBS Haldane. The result of all this is that the reader gets an even clearer understanding.
Every chapter reveals so much and concludes with even more questions to whet the reader’s curiosity. Every question is then discussed, explored and answered in the following chapter.
Yes, I have to admit that there were sections which I needed to read over again so that it would sink in, but I’m glad that I did. This book is a must for anyone with a thirst for knowledge and answers to life’s big questions. How Did Life End Up with Us? Left me mulling over what I’d read for a while afterwards. It explained so much and in a better and clearer way than my years back at school in science class!
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the Secrets of Life series – and discovering yet more wonders.
How Did Life End Up With Us?: The Secrets of Life: From Big Bang to Trump
Why can’t everything carry on forever?
What was the Big Bang and what happened?
What is DNA?
What’s bacteria got to do with us, humans?
How did life go from single cells to end up with organisms like us?
I’ve always been fascinated by how life began and how the earth and life evolved into what we have today. Up until now, though, all literature on this subject was as clear as mud. Science was never one of my strongest subjects, mainly due to the terminology used. To me, it might as well have been written in another language. But now, at last, here’s a book which explains and discusses the function of atoms, genes, cells and molecules in an easily digestible way. S S O’Connor explains, without mind-numbing elaborate words, and all this is supported with texts by the greats such as; Charles Darwin, James Hutton, William Smith, Alfred Russel Wallace, Lynn Margulis and JBS Haldane. The result of all this is that the reader gets an even clearer understanding.
Every chapter reveals so much and concludes with even more questions to whet the reader’s curiosity. Every question is then discussed, explored and answered in the following chapter.
Yes, I have to admit that there were sections which I needed to read over again so that it would sink in, but I’m glad that I did. This book is a must for anyone with a thirst for knowledge and answers to life’s big questions. How Did Life End Up with Us? Left me mulling over what I’d read for a while afterwards. It explained so much and in a better and clearer way than my years back at school in science class!
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the Secrets of Life series – and discovering yet more wonders.
How Did Life End Up With Us?: The Secrets of Life: From Big Bang to Trump
April 14, 2023
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent voluntary review. Thank you to SS O'Connor and Literally PR for my copy.
'The Secrets of Life: From Big Bang to Trump' is the first in a four-part non-fiction series exploring all the big science questions, and how we humans came to be. The Big Bang Theory, DNA and thermodynamics are among the subjects covered in the first book.
Questions posed include: "If DNA is so brilliant at replicating things, then why does the reproduction process make so many mistakes?" and "Why does everything have to die?"
Now you’re probably thinking this is a heavy read, but it is not.
Going right back to the Big Bang, SS O'Connor helps us to make sense of the world around us, with his book aimed at general readers written in an easy-to-read, conversational style. The author is not a scientist or physicist, but you can tell he has thoroughly researched his theories.
Science was not the best subject for me at school, but I feel I learnt and understood more from this book than from those school science lessons! It has led me to question the world around me more and has broadened my knowledge on many subjects.
Some may think a book on these topics may be very serious, but it contains the right level of witty remarks and funny illustrations to make it fun. The analogies used also helped me to understand something that may have previously gone over my head.
I often read bits aloud to whoever happened to be nearby, saying, "Did you know…? Isn't that fascinating!" I even marked up paragraphs in pencil and folded down the corners of pages, which is something I never do! 'How Did Life End Up With Us?' contains many great conversation starters so I know I will be going back to those pages.
There are twenty-one chapters, each starting with a question to ponder, sometimes more than one. Each chapter and its questions flowed with ease to the following chapter.
This is a book you would read at a steady pace as you digest and think about each piece of information. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series!
'The Secrets of Life: From Big Bang to Trump' is the first in a four-part non-fiction series exploring all the big science questions, and how we humans came to be. The Big Bang Theory, DNA and thermodynamics are among the subjects covered in the first book.
Questions posed include: "If DNA is so brilliant at replicating things, then why does the reproduction process make so many mistakes?" and "Why does everything have to die?"
Now you’re probably thinking this is a heavy read, but it is not.
Going right back to the Big Bang, SS O'Connor helps us to make sense of the world around us, with his book aimed at general readers written in an easy-to-read, conversational style. The author is not a scientist or physicist, but you can tell he has thoroughly researched his theories.
Science was not the best subject for me at school, but I feel I learnt and understood more from this book than from those school science lessons! It has led me to question the world around me more and has broadened my knowledge on many subjects.
Some may think a book on these topics may be very serious, but it contains the right level of witty remarks and funny illustrations to make it fun. The analogies used also helped me to understand something that may have previously gone over my head.
I often read bits aloud to whoever happened to be nearby, saying, "Did you know…? Isn't that fascinating!" I even marked up paragraphs in pencil and folded down the corners of pages, which is something I never do! 'How Did Life End Up With Us?' contains many great conversation starters so I know I will be going back to those pages.
There are twenty-one chapters, each starting with a question to ponder, sometimes more than one. Each chapter and its questions flowed with ease to the following chapter.
This is a book you would read at a steady pace as you digest and think about each piece of information. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series!
April 8, 2023
How Did Life End Up With Us? by SS O’Oconnor is the first book in The Secrets of LIfe: From Big Bang to Trump series. This book explores how we came to be. It delves into topics of the Big Bang Theory, Darwin’s evolution, thermodynamics, DNA and many more. Now you’re probably thinking this is a heavy read, but it is not.
The content of How Did (how I'll refer to it from now on) is heavy but it is interspersed with humour and jokes. O’Connor’s writing style is light and easily read. Because O’Connor is not a physicist, a geneticist or a scientist the wording is uncomplicated and presented for the average reader - as in not a professional. This combination makes the heavy content much more palatable. I am really enjoying reading this book. And yes, that does define how nerdy I actually am.
The presentation of this book is brilliant! From the gorgeous cover to the beautifully detailed French Flaps, this book is one to admire and appreciate. I think the content would stand on its own without the fancy packaging for the right minded people.
How Did has left me with a lot to consider, contemplate and chew over. This book has expanded my knowledge and given me a perspective I did not have before reading it. I am thoroughly looking forward to the rest of the series. I imagine these books will stick with me for a long time, that I will consider the thoughts, perspectives and insights it provides for a long time.
Thanks go to the author @ssOconnor and @literallypr for the copy of this book to read, enjoy and review.
The content of How Did (how I'll refer to it from now on) is heavy but it is interspersed with humour and jokes. O’Connor’s writing style is light and easily read. Because O’Connor is not a physicist, a geneticist or a scientist the wording is uncomplicated and presented for the average reader - as in not a professional. This combination makes the heavy content much more palatable. I am really enjoying reading this book. And yes, that does define how nerdy I actually am.
The presentation of this book is brilliant! From the gorgeous cover to the beautifully detailed French Flaps, this book is one to admire and appreciate. I think the content would stand on its own without the fancy packaging for the right minded people.
How Did has left me with a lot to consider, contemplate and chew over. This book has expanded my knowledge and given me a perspective I did not have before reading it. I am thoroughly looking forward to the rest of the series. I imagine these books will stick with me for a long time, that I will consider the thoughts, perspectives and insights it provides for a long time.
Thanks go to the author @ssOconnor and @literallypr for the copy of this book to read, enjoy and review.
April 18, 2023
Having been involved with science and engineering for a fair whack of my life, I have often pondered how difficult it must be to attempt condensing the vast knowledge out there into something that can be read in one (or, at least, a small selection of books).
Many have tried and – while there has been some success to this end – only a few (Richard Dawkins for example) have successfully managed all the way from the beginning to us humans without getting bog-bound in complexity and jargon.
Until now, that is…
In How Did Life End Up With Us, S S O’Connor has managed to summarise – if that’s even the appropriate word, because the book is bursting with science – the whole of life by way of the gene and the eternal struggle against the second law of thermodynamics, and all in an easily readable, extremely well-written book that anyone can pick off the shelf and see the mechanisms that brought us from there to here.
It postulates the question: how did life, from a bunch of chemicals, end up with us; the only species capable of not only questioning its place in the scheme of things, but with the intellectual capacity to investigate it?
I loved this book and its jaunty approach to some hefty concepts. I read it in a couple of nights – for a science book, it really is that well-written… and readable for anyone.
This book is a treasure – and an absolute must read for everyone… whether you are a science geek or not.
I am very much looking forward to reading S S O’Connor’s other works.
Many have tried and – while there has been some success to this end – only a few (Richard Dawkins for example) have successfully managed all the way from the beginning to us humans without getting bog-bound in complexity and jargon.
Until now, that is…
In How Did Life End Up With Us, S S O’Connor has managed to summarise – if that’s even the appropriate word, because the book is bursting with science – the whole of life by way of the gene and the eternal struggle against the second law of thermodynamics, and all in an easily readable, extremely well-written book that anyone can pick off the shelf and see the mechanisms that brought us from there to here.
It postulates the question: how did life, from a bunch of chemicals, end up with us; the only species capable of not only questioning its place in the scheme of things, but with the intellectual capacity to investigate it?
I loved this book and its jaunty approach to some hefty concepts. I read it in a couple of nights – for a science book, it really is that well-written… and readable for anyone.
This book is a treasure – and an absolute must read for everyone… whether you are a science geek or not.
I am very much looking forward to reading S S O’Connor’s other works.
April 7, 2023
Interesting read this one. Lots of questions which I’m sure we’ve all thought of at some point. I read with an open mind.
I’m not sure I completely agree with all of the answers or theories given in this book but it’s certainly food for thought and raises conversations and discussions or further questions from reading it. Nothing like a healthy debate over dinner ! Personally I found it a little chaotic but I am interested to read book two to see where it leads. This is the first of a four set.
Let’s see what else the author can bring.
Nice cover, very colourful which is eye catching if on a shelf.
Enjoy!
Many thanks to team @LiterallyPR for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2023
An insightful discussion applying the universe's most fundamental rules to everything from sub-atomic particles to bacteria to the behaviour of the super-wealthy.
Much of the discussion about biology was new to me. It was well explained, although occasionally, I did have to reread a line or two. As there is a lot covered, anyone could find themselves in the situation between the covers. A great degree of general knowledge is displayed, and the points made were none that I had heard of, or even thought about before.
Possibly the author backs up his arguments with quotes a little too often, and I thought a picture may have painted a thousand words here and there. Other than that, there is plenty of food for thought supplied in an engaging and straightforward way.
Much of the discussion about biology was new to me. It was well explained, although occasionally, I did have to reread a line or two. As there is a lot covered, anyone could find themselves in the situation between the covers. A great degree of general knowledge is displayed, and the points made were none that I had heard of, or even thought about before.
Possibly the author backs up his arguments with quotes a little too often, and I thought a picture may have painted a thousand words here and there. Other than that, there is plenty of food for thought supplied in an engaging and straightforward way.
April 8, 2023
I made it halfway through the book before stopping. I gave the book 2 stars however, because I did not find the book objectionable; it just wasn’t for me but I liked what the book tried to do. I found the writing to be ponderous, with unclear and convoluted explanations. A lot of the analogies were confusing to me. The storytelling was weak and there was no “I couldn’t put it down” factor. But I suspect that people who may prefer a more philosophical approach to biology might like the book more than I did. Thank you to Netgalley and Otium Press for the digital review copy.
September 4, 2023
SS O'Connor's first book in his four-part series is the ideal read for non-fiction fans like me who really enjoy getting their teeth into a meaty topic - and what meatier than how genetic evolution works, how it was uncovered, and what the ‘gene-based theory of evolution means’. I find reading books like How Did Life End Up With Us? not just fascinating from a 'guess what I read today... did you know?' PoV to chat about with friends and family, but also it provides some greater perspective when life is, shall we say, challenging!
'The Secrets of Life: From Big Bang to Trump' is the first in a four-part series exploring all the big science questions, and how we humans came to be. The Big Bang Theory, DNA and thermodynamics are among the many, many subjects covered in this first book.
Questions include: "If DNA is so brilliant at replicating things, then why does the reproduction process make so many mistakes?" and "Why does everything have to die?"
Don't worry if you're thinking this is going to read like a boring or fussy old science text book - it's far, far from it.
SS O'Connor writes in a way that is accessible without being patronising, interesting without being repetitive, and it helps us to make sense of the world around us, with his book aimed at general readers written in an easy-to-read, conversational style. The author is keen to impress upon us that he is NOT an expert, he's not a scientist or physicist, but it's quite obvious this is a life's work - he has done mountains of research.
If you enjoy making notes and scribbles around books you're reading, annotations and highlighting interesting bits and bobs, you're going to have a field day with this book!
I'm already reading the second book... it doesn't disappoint.
Recommended food pairing: A lovely pub lunch like a Ploughmans or handmade chicken and vegetable pie and chips.
Recommended drinks pairing: A nice glass of wine/pint of cider in the pub please so I can talk about what I've read!
'The Secrets of Life: From Big Bang to Trump' is the first in a four-part series exploring all the big science questions, and how we humans came to be. The Big Bang Theory, DNA and thermodynamics are among the many, many subjects covered in this first book.
Questions include: "If DNA is so brilliant at replicating things, then why does the reproduction process make so many mistakes?" and "Why does everything have to die?"
Don't worry if you're thinking this is going to read like a boring or fussy old science text book - it's far, far from it.
SS O'Connor writes in a way that is accessible without being patronising, interesting without being repetitive, and it helps us to make sense of the world around us, with his book aimed at general readers written in an easy-to-read, conversational style. The author is keen to impress upon us that he is NOT an expert, he's not a scientist or physicist, but it's quite obvious this is a life's work - he has done mountains of research.
If you enjoy making notes and scribbles around books you're reading, annotations and highlighting interesting bits and bobs, you're going to have a field day with this book!
I'm already reading the second book... it doesn't disappoint.
Recommended food pairing: A lovely pub lunch like a Ploughmans or handmade chicken and vegetable pie and chips.
Recommended drinks pairing: A nice glass of wine/pint of cider in the pub please so I can talk about what I've read!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews