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  • Published: 28 September 2006
  • ISBN: 9780141941837
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 320

The Origin of Life




'One of a handful of first-rate scientists who are popular writers. If you are going to read only one book on the origin of life, seriously consider this one' - The New York Times

The origins of life remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of science. Growing evidence suggests that the first organisms lived deep underground, in environments previously thought to be uninhabitable, and that microbes carried inside rocks have travelled between Earth and Mars. But the question remains: how can life spring into being from non-living chemicals? THE FIFTH MIRACLE reveals the remarkable new theories and discoveries that seem set to transform our understanding of life's role in the unfolding drama of the cosmos.

  • Published: 28 September 2006
  • ISBN: 9780141941837
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 320

About the author

Paul Davies

Paul Davies is a British-born theoretical physicist, cosmologist, astrobiologist and best-selling author. He is Regents’ Professor and Director of the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University, where he was for five years also Co-Director of the Cosmology Initiative and Principal Investigator of the Center for the Convergence of Physical Science and Cancer Biology. Prior to his move to the USA in 2006, he helped create the Australian Centre for Astrobiology in Sydney. Davies has written over 30 books, many for the general public. He has three honorary doctorates and Fellowship of University College London. In 1995 he was awarded the Templeton Prize in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace for his work on the deeper meaning of science. He was also awarded the Faraday Prize by The Royal Society, the Kelvin Medal by the UK Institute of Physics, the 2011 Robinson Cosmology Prize, and many book awards, as well as three honorary degrees. In June 2007 he was named a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s birthday honours list and in December 2011 he was presented with the Bicentenary Medal of Chile. The asteroid 1992 OG was renamed (6870) Pauldavies in recognition of his work on cosmic impacts. Paul Davies is also known worldwide as a television and radio commentator and is the author of hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles.

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