The Biological Universe: Life in the Milky Way and Beyond

by Wallace Arthur

Are we alone in the universe, or are there other life forms 'out there'? This is one of the most scientifically and philosophically important questions that humanity can ask. Now, in the early 2020s, we are tantalizingly close to an answer. As this book shows, the answer will almost certainly be that life forms are to be found across the Milky Way and beyond. They will be thinly spread, to be sure. Yet the number of inhabited planets probably runs into the trillions. Some are close enough for us to detect evidence of life by analysing their atmospheres. This evidence may be found within a couple of decades. Its arrival will be momentous. But even before it arrives we can anticipate what life elsewhere will be like by examining the ecology and evolution of life on Earth. This book considers the current state of play in relation to these titanic issues.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

358 pages, Hardcover

Published October 29, 2020

About the author

Wallace Arthur is an evolutionary biologist and science writer. He is Emeritus Professor of Zoology at the University of Galway. He was one of the founding editors of the journal Evolution & Development, serving as an editor for nearly 20 years. He has held visiting positions at Harvard University, Darwin College Cambridge, and the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland.

Reviews

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just as demanding as it is rewarding. It is not an easy read that a layperson will easily grasp. There are percentages, hard science and even equations. I doubt that I would have understood it at all had I not read many other more approachable books first. There is astronomy, physics and chemistry. What is it about? Well, the fascinating world of astrobiology, a new branch of science that deals with the possibility of extraterrestrial life. It may not be Vulcans or Daleks, but even finding bacteria on other planets would be amazing. Where to begin though? Wallace Arthur starts with what he knows: life on Earth. To be honest, some of his calculations went over my head, but it’s clear that he’s not speculating more than is needed with something that can’t be proven easily right now. There is a solid base to all his theories. I always wondered if there could be life based on, I don’t know, Sulphur? Arthur explains how that would be very unlikely, since chemistry and physics are the same all over the universe. That’s how he narrows down all the infinite possibilities into a single plausible theory. A fascinating read with scientific and philosophical implications, The Biological Universe will make you think.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Cambridge University Press!

[anji · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Biological Universe speaks about the patterns of biotic and abiotic elements on our Earth, and how these can apply to other planets in our universe, and the inevitability of life on other planets.

Though this book was a step away from my usual reads, this book was an amazing read! The language was easy to follow in the sense that an explanation was given behind each "difficult" term, and I was happily surprised to find a book that I could agree with. I am a firm believer in extra-terrestrials and aliens, so it was amazing to see a book that provided a fact-based explanation on why alien life could be possible!

I really don't have much else to say on the book except that the author's words were written well, and the work was exceptional!

Thank you to NetGalley, and the Cambridge University Press, 5 stars!

[Chantal Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll start with a caveat - I think the publisher's blurb, in particular the following, is quite misleading: "even before it arrives we can anticipate what life elsewhere will be like by examining the ecology and evolution of life on Earth". Because of it, I approached this book expecting pretty much all of it to be speculation about what forms, behaviours and cultures we might expect of extra terrestrial life. But actually, that's only about 10% of the book (if that). Most of the page count is dedicated to the following questions: What are the probabilities of finding ET life, and the different types of ET life? What are the likely planetary conditions for life? And HOW will we find it?

The book in general is fascinating, although as someone whose weak point has always been physics (as opposed to my strong point of biology), I read much of it with the fatalistic assumption that I will have forgotten it within a week or so. What I will retain is the certainty that we are not alone in the universe, even if we never prove this - whether because of our primitive technology, or because our timeline does not intersect with the timeline(s) of ET life on planets within reasonable reach.

Aside from the author's academic credentials, the book represents a huge amount of research and broad thinking. There really is a lot to commend. That said, I wish it could have felt a little less dry to read - and the structure seemed quite random at times too (quite early on in the book, we are provided with the author's rationale for why ET life is likely to be cell-based and use skeletons; however, this is quickly pushed aside in favour of further discussion of the kinds of planets where we are likely to find life).

So - a bit of a slog at times, but undeniably fascinating.

(With thanks to NetGalley and Cambridge University Press for an ebook in exchange for an honest review)

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Biological Universe: Life in the Milky Way and Beyond by Wallace Arthur is that rare combination of scientific detail expressed in accessible terms and organized so that it flows from topic to topic.

I'll start by commenting on just how surprisingly well this is written. Arthur covers the ideas and makes them interesting and understandable regardless of one's science background. As he sums up an idea or theory he points us in the direction of the next idea or theory, so this does not read like a collection of chapters about related topics but as a story that relies on what came before to establish what comes next. I can't compliment the organization of this book enough.

As the blurb makes clear, in order to anticipate what extraterrestrial life might be like we have to start "by examining the ecology and evolution of life on Earth." As promised in that blurb, he examines what has occurred here along with possible alternatives that might occur on other planets. This is not a fantasy book of all possibilities, but a carefully assessed look at the likeliest possibilities, so looking at the only life we know, life on Earth, is the basis for any theories about what extraterrestrial life might look like.

I highly recommend this to readers who want a scientifically rigorous yet clearly explained look at what life in the universe might look like. Or those who simply want to read an enjoyable history of the universe and of life on Earth.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Ashar Malik · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s is a difficult task to cover a topic this broad. I think the author has done a great job trying to cover as many aspects as possible in sufficient detail to allow the reader a sufficient chance to grasp the complexity of the subject. The book is almost well structured, although there is some repetition in terms of the subject matter but I think it’s necessary to present the reader with a comprehensive view. The author does a great job of balancing conservative definitions of various subject matter while simultaneously seeing how those definitions help us imagine where to look for “life” and what to expect.

Grounded in science I would recommend this book to layman and experienced readers alike who want to dabble in exobiology.

[Prof Primate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very boring and badly written. It’s on a great subject though. For a biologist, I think it might be a bit too basic. Perhaps for the lay public it might be more worth it.