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The Way Life Works

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In the tradition of David Macaulay's The Way Things Work, this popular-science book--a unique collaboration between a world-renowned molecular biologist and an equally talented artist--explains how life grows, develops, reproduces, and gets by. Full color.

234 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 1995

10 people are currently reading
223 people want to read

About the author

Mahlon B. Hoagland

11 books3 followers

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5 stars
42 (50%)
4 stars
27 (32%)
3 stars
13 (15%)
2 stars
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Lyman Maddox.
35 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2015
I love this book! It's a bed-side companion.
8 reviews
December 28, 2023
The book that led me into my current profession
Profile Image for H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov.
2,125 reviews819 followers
January 4, 2015
What is life? Something most of us seem to want more of. But, how does life work? Most would assume we are off on a ramble through the now proliferate field of sex education.

Hoagland's book is nothing of that sort. But it is equally useful in explaining to us or our young associates how any and all life begins and sustains itself. Hoagland breaks it all down into easily digestible bites. For example, the "sixteen patterns of life" include: "Life Assembles itself into Chains," "Life Runs on Sugar," "Life Recycles Everything it Uses," and, "Life Creates with Mistakes."

Everything from the cell membrane to how energy is created and used, is explained succinctly and with very helpful illustrations by Bert Dodson.

Even if you just want to dip your mental toe into these waters, this book is the place to begin.
Profile Image for Nilendu Misra.
352 reviews18 followers
January 23, 2017
A delightful book that I am adding to 'want my kids to read it'. Has beautiful hand drawn illustrations, insightful quotes/anecdotes and a great exposition of life's dimension. Particularly enjoyed the section on 'Information'.
Profile Image for Steve.
129 reviews3 followers
March 6, 2012
I didn't particularly like the artists style - but overall a good book for an overview of some of the major topics of biology
Profile Image for Lauren.
294 reviews33 followers
Want to read
June 22, 2015
This one needs to be put on hold until I can find a copy where the pages stay in while I'm reading.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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