Customer Reviews

Exploring The Way Life Works: The Science of Biology

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I agree with the other reviews but take issue with the Amazon reviewer: This book is not for the biology illiterate. Those who love biology will be especially charmed by the way the material is presented here. It will allow those proficient in biology to see different perspectives on familiar concepts. From a pedagogy perspective, there is no better biology text-truth be told: visuals are presented using a number of models so students can understand conceptual nuances. The attractive pictures are inviting and interesting. Text and picutres are united and work together- you don't get blocks of words. It is engaging-not "easy". And often it is darn funny.

The previous reviewers have pretty much covered all ground so I'm writing this review just to add another 5 star rating to this book, The cartoons are nice but they do make the book about five times as large as it would have been otherwise. Other than that I have no complaints. If you don't know much about cellular biology, here is your chance to learn about photosynthesis, protein synthesis, DNA replication, evolution, etc. and actually ENJOY it!

This book is excellent! If you're a current or future student of biology (especially a beginner, like me), or even a teacher, you will have no trouble understanding the concepts of biology due to the illustrations and explanations. The book's examples reference everyday life so you can instantly apply what you're reading and seeing. The illustrations are colorful and well defined, and the text is light and even a bit humorous. As a future teacher this book will definitely be added to my permanent collection of reference books.

IF you ever wondered what DNA is all about and do not have the time to read text books on this subject THEN The Way Life Works is for you.

Very highly recommended for all ages.

There is a saying: "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." This student was ready, your book came at an opportune time. I very much appreciate the authors efforts: First, in their gaining knowledge of this material, then taking the time to write in such an understandable fashion and finally making simply and memorable illustrations of - what we can't see in a way that we won't forget. Great job, many thanks - keep books like this coming.

This is possibly the most incredible biology textbook for the average Joes of the world (and maybe the not-so-average Joes!). "The Way Life Works" clearly and cleverly explains some of the most abstract concepts of biology and brings them to life (no pun intended). I have recommended this book to all of my students, and wish that I could require them to own it! It should be our biology class' primary textbook. I only wish that I had had this textbook as an undergraduate student. Maybe those molecular biology classes wouldn't have been as difficult!

Kudos!

This is simply the book I had been waiting for all my life!! The book is unquestionably a superb introductory text for the biology ignorant like me. :-)

I've always been fascinated by molecular biology and genetic but lack any formal training in general biology. Since my chemistry background has been relatively poor I had been looking for a molecular biology primer that relies more on the conceptual and theoretical understanding than formal chemistry background.

This text explains the essential concepts in the simplest terms (but not shallow) that anyone can comprehend and appreciate. Want to know how DNA and RNA work? Want to learn what are ATP, mitochondrion, molecular evolution, etc.? Just read this book! You'll understand and want to learn more about biology in general.

The 7 chapters in the text cover essential concepts about biological life: pattern, energy, information, machinery, feedback, community, and evolution.

I wish there are more biology books like this one targeted toward the general public who wants to understand the deep issues in molecular biology without overally simplifications.

This is the book about Life I'd been looking forward to read all my life! I'm sure many others have been waiting for a book like this to be written. And now it's!! I'd highly recommend it to everyone who is interested in biology but is afraid of too much chemistry and/or too shallow of coverage.

Lee

Highly recommended!

I am using this as a main text for homeschooling (elementary aged, "advanced") It should provide an excellent foundation, making diving into dense A.P./ college texts (like Campbell Biology (9th Edition)) much easier when/if the time comes. For those looking for something in-between, I've heard from two different sources who have reviewed the available textbooks, to use for high school homeschooling classes, (one of the teachers a Ph.D. in molecular plant biology) a good one is "BIOLOGY EXPLORING LIFE STUDENT EDITION 2009C.

Coming back to this book, it takes a comprehensive look at life from the molecular level on up.

The illustrations are excellent for explaining subjects in memorable ways, fairly in-depth. They are bright, plentiful, and cartoon-y, and have kept the interest of my son.

This is the type of book written not only by someone who knows their subject, but ALSO knows how to TEACH and ENJOY it! (The type that you get excited about if you are a teacher or interested in learning a subject.)

My thanks to the authors!

There is an earlier version of this book, "The Way Life Works: The Science Lover's Illustrated Guide to How Life Grows, Develops, Reproduces, and Gets Along", and from what I understand the main difference is that this newer one added more textbook-like sections at the end of each chapter with questions, etc. to try to make it more useful in the classroom.

This a book that will delight anyone interested in biology, not just beginners or younger readers. I have an advanced degree in biology and find it rewarding and clarifying. It explains and depicts (biology is a very visual subject) key concepts in the organization of living things, getting to the heart of the matter in streamlined fashion, without the (as far as the aim of the book goes, unnecessary) mass of detail you'll find in a standard bio text. This might be called "fundamental biology from an advanced standpoint." It can be read multiple times, perhaps once quickly but again more deliberately, allowing time to ponder what is being conveyed. Love it.

This book has planted the seeds to my new interest in biology. It is always there to refresh my information and help to make me conversant with anyone that is willing to discuss this topic.
Only when we understand these concepts can we grasp the mechanisms involved when life processes go awry.
For people who do best at gaining information visually, this book is the best! For me it has been the sine qua non.