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How Light Makes Life: The Hidden Wonders and World-Saving Powers of Photosynthesis
A revelatory journey of discovery into the intricate, beautiful, and often surprising processes that convert energy from the sun into life, and how all-important these are to our survival—and our planet’s future
It’s a clunky word for a Photosynthesis . But there’s no life on Earth without it. For biologist Raffael Jovine, it’s a consuming passion, a great unsung force of nature. He makes his case in How Light Makes Life , a catalog of living wonders—and a blueprint for a better planet.
Imagine harvesting pure sunlight to use as fuel, while turning carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen. This is what a leaf does every day. And photosynthesis isn’t just for Corals partner with photosynthetic organisms to create the most productive habitat on Earth. Slugs eat chloroplasts as natural green camouflage. Hornets use photosynthesis as an innovative means of air-conditioning—and much more!
The revelatory vision of How Light Makes Life is how we ourselves might harness the power of to repair ecosystems, stabilize the climate, and grow more food sustainably. On this vivid journey, you’ll see how every seed contains the key to our future—through the photosynthetic pigments in your own eyes!
It’s a clunky word for a Photosynthesis . But there’s no life on Earth without it. For biologist Raffael Jovine, it’s a consuming passion, a great unsung force of nature. He makes his case in How Light Makes Life , a catalog of living wonders—and a blueprint for a better planet.
Imagine harvesting pure sunlight to use as fuel, while turning carbon dioxide into breathable oxygen. This is what a leaf does every day. And photosynthesis isn’t just for Corals partner with photosynthetic organisms to create the most productive habitat on Earth. Slugs eat chloroplasts as natural green camouflage. Hornets use photosynthesis as an innovative means of air-conditioning—and much more!
The revelatory vision of How Light Makes Life is how we ourselves might harness the power of to repair ecosystems, stabilize the climate, and grow more food sustainably. On this vivid journey, you’ll see how every seed contains the key to our future—through the photosynthetic pigments in your own eyes!
224 pages, Paperback
Published June 21, 2022
9 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 8, 2023
Overall, a very good read. Informative. Dr. Jovine does a good job at keeping things relatively simple. As someone with a significant science background, at times I would have liked more detail on the processes, chemistry and mathematics of what he was describing. I'm sure he knows these details, but was trying to keep his discussion at a more accessible level to those with less science background. Bravo overall! I think this book is worth the read! Gives a sense of how photosynthesis works in our world. And things an average person can do to help better our environment. Both things to avoid using and how to actually aid in establishing more useful plantlife. Ends on an optimistic note about what we can do. Thumbs up!
October 29, 2022
If you read the first and the last chapters you will have drank the kool aid. We all contributed to climate change and we all can help fix the problems.
It takes a village to create green spaces.
It takes a village to create green spaces.
January 11, 2025
I picked up this based on two things - an innate interest in all things science, and that cover. The light literally shines through the words, and seems to be illuminating the whole image, and easily spilling over into one’s imagination!
That approximates the overall effect of the book as well - it shines a neat and little but focused and engaging light on the subject of photosynthesis, the oldest and primary source of all food and life on Earth. The book kicks things off with a brief introduction to the history of the discovery of the machinations of the process itself, replete with all the twists and turns of a page turner historical thriller, with characters both venerable and nigh detestable. Ultimately the science wins, but the struggles depicted are very nearly impossible to ignore even today.
Prehistoric details about the possible evolutionary origins of photosynthesis are a complex lot, but the author manages to divulge a lot of those facts without resorting to too much scientific data or complicated chemistry and biology, which I’m sure he is well versed with, thereby keeping the book lively and accessible.
The latter half of the book gets down to contemporary science and knowledge around how photosynthesis needs to and is in fact already playing a more important than ever role in human life and sustenance. Climate change and its devastating effects on plant life, as well as the planet itself are clearly demonstrated by a handful of tables, that show the sheer magnitude of our dependence on plant life for our survival. Perhaps no other occupation has lost so much attention from humans over the millennia of our evolutionary existence as agriculture has, and the book makes interesting, lucid and compelling arguments for why there needs to be - and easily can be - renewed interest in this ancient scientific marvel that Nature has bestowed upon us.
The final chapter or two tries to bring it all together by suggesting brief policy and practical considerations and steps that we all can take to steep the course of our future history in a direction that can support human life on our planet for millennia.
The book is written in a way to be easily understood and appreciated by all high schooler with a reasonable interest in science. Offers a lot of food for thought, and that’s not just a metaphor anymore.
That approximates the overall effect of the book as well - it shines a neat and little but focused and engaging light on the subject of photosynthesis, the oldest and primary source of all food and life on Earth. The book kicks things off with a brief introduction to the history of the discovery of the machinations of the process itself, replete with all the twists and turns of a page turner historical thriller, with characters both venerable and nigh detestable. Ultimately the science wins, but the struggles depicted are very nearly impossible to ignore even today.
Prehistoric details about the possible evolutionary origins of photosynthesis are a complex lot, but the author manages to divulge a lot of those facts without resorting to too much scientific data or complicated chemistry and biology, which I’m sure he is well versed with, thereby keeping the book lively and accessible.
The latter half of the book gets down to contemporary science and knowledge around how photosynthesis needs to and is in fact already playing a more important than ever role in human life and sustenance. Climate change and its devastating effects on plant life, as well as the planet itself are clearly demonstrated by a handful of tables, that show the sheer magnitude of our dependence on plant life for our survival. Perhaps no other occupation has lost so much attention from humans over the millennia of our evolutionary existence as agriculture has, and the book makes interesting, lucid and compelling arguments for why there needs to be - and easily can be - renewed interest in this ancient scientific marvel that Nature has bestowed upon us.
The final chapter or two tries to bring it all together by suggesting brief policy and practical considerations and steps that we all can take to steep the course of our future history in a direction that can support human life on our planet for millennia.
The book is written in a way to be easily understood and appreciated by all high schooler with a reasonable interest in science. Offers a lot of food for thought, and that’s not just a metaphor anymore.
February 28, 2022
I liked this book. I found it to be well-written, in a conversational tone. The science is explained very clearly and really doesn’t need much background. The book does not get bogged down with all the small details of photosynthesis. I also liked the optimistic tone of the book, which is not overdone. There were, however, some things I liked less than others. Early in the book, I felt that there was too much pontificating. Later on in the book, I felt that there was too much self-promotion, as the author has a company that is relevant to the content. To the author’s credit, though, he is very clear about his ties to the company. Overall, this book is well worth reading. Thank you to Netgalley and The Experiment for the advance reader copy.
March 30, 2025
A ton of easy-to-digest science in this little gem. I thought I understood photosynthesis, but–wow–I learned a ton. I admire science communicators who can take a complicated topic and convey it simply to the public. I also really enjoyed the little biographies of the many scientists mentioned here. Jovine reviews many possibilities for using plant life to improve environmental quality, and like many scientists, he's frustrated that the political and economic powers of the world just can't do what seems obvious to him. His naivité in this realm is in stark contrast to his science smarts, and unfortunately, detracts from the book as a whole.
May 31, 2023
A great introduction to photosynthesis and its role in shaping the world. The content is not too scientific and can be read by anyone. The book is very short and easy to read. It has a lot of interesting facts about Botany and the role of plants in global climate.
The latter part of the book has great suggestions on how we can tackle climate change just by using simple actions. A good read for the curious.
The latter part of the book has great suggestions on how we can tackle climate change just by using simple actions. A good read for the curious.
November 18, 2022
A fascinating read with inroads to expanding our understanding of how photosynthesis works and how it can be harnessed to do great things.
A really interesting look at the history of photosynthesis and of what we have learned over the years. And there is still so much more to learn!
A really interesting look at the history of photosynthesis and of what we have learned over the years. And there is still so much more to learn!
August 30, 2022
DNF. Couldn't pick out a story; more like a collection of moderately interesting facts.
April 13, 2024
A delightful and insightful book about the essential roll of plants in our ecosystems.
November 8, 2025
I enjoyed this book - well researched with many interesting scientific facts. It inspired me to look even deeper into the current state of photosynthesis understanding.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews