Title
The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life,Used
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Longlisted for the National Book Award for Nonfiction and A New York Times Notable Book of 2018Nonpareil science writer David Quammen explains how recent discoveries in molecular biology can change our understanding of evolution and lifes history, with powerful implications for human health and even our own human nature.In the mid1970s, scientists began using DNA sequences to reexamine the history of all life. Perhaps the most startling discovery to come out of this new fieldthe study of lifes diversity and relatedness at the molecular levelis horizontal gene transfer (HGT), or the movement of genes across species lines. It turns out that HGT has been widespread and important. For instance, we now know that roughly eight percent of the human genome arrived not through traditional inheritance from directly ancestral forms, but sideways by viral infectiona type of HGT.In The Tangled Tree David Quammen, one of that rare breed of science journalists who blends exploration with a talent for synthesis and storytelling (Nature), chronicles these discoveries through the lives of the researchers who made themsuch as Carl Woese, the most important littleknown biologist of the twentieth century; Lynn Margulis, the notorious maverick whose wild ideas about mosaic creatures proved to be true; and Tsutomu Wantanabe, who discovered that the scourge of antibioticresistant bacteria is a direct result of horizontal gene transfer, bringing the deep study of genome histories to bear on a global crisis in public health.Quammen is no ordinary writer. He is simply astonishing, one of that rare class of writer gifted with verve, ingenuity, humor, guts, and great heart (Elle). Now, in The Tangled Tree, he explains how molecular studies of evolution have brought startling recognitions about the tangled tree of lifeincluding where we humans fit upon it. Thanks to new technologies such as CRISPR, we now have the ability to alter even our genetic compositionthrough sideways insertions, as nature has long been doing. The Tangled Tree is a brilliant guide to our transformed understanding of evolution, of lifes history, and of our own human nature.
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- Q: What is the main topic of 'The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life'? A: 'The Tangled Tree' explores how recent discoveries in molecular biology, particularly horizontal gene transfer, reshape our understanding of evolution and life’s history.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is written by David Quammen, a renowned science writer known for his engaging storytelling and synthesis of complex scientific ideas.
- Q: How many pages does 'The Tangled Tree' have? A: 'The Tangled Tree' contains 480 pages, providing an in-depth exploration of its subject matter.
- Q: When was 'The Tangled Tree' published? A: 'The Tangled Tree' was published on August 14, 2018.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: The book is available in hardcover binding, which offers durability and a premium feel.
- Q: Is 'The Tangled Tree' suitable for readers without a scientific background? A: Yes, 'The Tangled Tree' is written for a general audience, making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging.
- Q: What are the key themes discussed in the book? A: Key themes include the implications of molecular biology on evolution, the role of horizontal gene transfer, and how these discoveries impact our understanding of human health and nature.
- Q: Does the book include any specific case studies or researchers? A: Yes, the book chronicles discoveries through the lives of notable researchers like Carl Woese, Lynn Margulis, and Tsutomu Wantanabe.
- Q: Is 'The Tangled Tree' part of a series or a standalone book? A: 'The Tangled Tree' is a standalone book, not part of a series.
- Q: What award was 'The Tangled Tree' longlisted for? A: 'The Tangled Tree' was longlisted for the National Book Award for Nonfiction.