What Is Life? the Next Fifty Years: Speculations on the Future of Biology

The Nobel prize-winning physicist Erwin Schrodinger wrote a celebrated book What is Life? He speculated on the central problems in biology, from the perspective of a physicist. The unique viewpoint outlined in his book stimulated many other scientists to explore biological problems. The investigations of these scientists led to the discovery of the structure of DNA and an understanding of how our genes work. To commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of What is Life?, a number of eminent scientists have outlined their viewpoints on the central problems currently facing biology. The book is essential reading for all biological scientists, but is also of considerable interest to non-specialists with an interest in science. The list of contributors includes some of the best known popular science writers such as Stephen Jay Gould, Roger Penrose, Jared Diamond, John Maynard Smith and Lewis Wolpert. '...if you want one slim book that contains as many stimulating ideas as a small library, this is it.' Alun Anderson, New Scientist