Quantity:

Express Checkout with PayPhrase

What's this? | Create PayPhrase

More Buying Choices

48 used & new from $2.70

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

Share with Friends

Share your own customer images

Search inside this book

Tell the Publisher! I�d like to read this book on Kindle Don�t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

Vital Dust: The Origin And Evolution Of Life On Earth (Paperback)

~ (Author) "VIRTUALLY ALL the organic matter in the living world can be summarized symbolically, if not euphonically, by the formula CHNOPS, which stands for carbon (C),..." (more)
Key Phrases: cytomembrane system, primitive phagocyte, biosynthetic reductions, Nobel Prize, New York, United States (more...)

4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

List Price:	$25.00
Price:	$22.50 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save:	$2.50 (10%)
	o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

19 new from $6.00 27 used from $2.70 2 collectible from $29.50

Formats		Amazon Price	New from	Used from
Hardcover Available from these sellers. Published January 2, 1995	Hardcover	--	$5.82	$0.01
Paperback $22.50 In Stock. Published December 20, 1995	Paperback	$22.50	$6.00	$2.70

Frequently Bought Together

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life

by Nick Lane

4.8 out of 5 stars (28) $12.21

Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution

by Nick Lane

4.5 out of 5 stars (16) $17.79

Genesis: The Scientific Quest for Life's Origins

by Robert Hazen

4.5 out of 5 stars (23) $20.40

Oxygen: The Molecule that Made the World (Popular Science)

by Nick Lane

4.8 out of 5 stars (20) $13.57

Emergence of Life on Earth: A Historical and Scientific Overview

by Iris Fry

4.8 out of 5 stars (5) $17.92

› Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a work of majestic sweep and bold speculation, Nobel Prize-winning biochemist de Duve presents an awesome panorama of life on Earth, from the first biomolecules to the emergence of the human mind and our species' future. Professor emeritus at Manhattan's Rockefeller University, de Duve rejects the view that life arose through a series of accidents, nor does he invoke God, goal-directed causes or vitalism, which regards living beings as matter animated by vital spirit. Instead, in a remarkable synthesis of biochemistry, paleontology, evolutionary biology, genetics and ecology, he argues for a meaningful universe in which life and mind emerged, inevitably and deterministically, because of prevailing conditions. Starting with a single-celled organism, resembling modern bacteria, which appeared 3.8 billion years ago and gave rise to all forms of life on earth today, de Duve delineates seven successive ages corresponding to increasing levels of complexity. He predicts that our species may evolve into a "human hive" or planetary superorganism, a society in which individuals would abandon some of their freedom for the benefit of all; alternately, if Homo sapiens disappears, he envisages our replacement by another intelligent species.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Around four billion years ago, natural chemical reactions led to the formation of organic molecules in the Earth's waters. From these, nucleic acids emerged, then cells, then multicellular organisms, and, ultimately, the astonishing biodiversity on Earth today. De Duve, a cell biologist and Nobel laureate, invokes a grand scope in this exposition of the origin and future of life. He examines seven successive life "ages," beginning with the "Age of Chemistry," when biomolecules first emerged, and ending with "The Age of the Unknown," our possible biological futures. The first four parts, which report on topics from the author's field of expertise and include information on his original theories, have a rather high technical content. The pace and readability pick up in later chapters, in which de Duve discusses higher plant and animal evolution. For general readers with no background on the subject, there are more accessible books on the origin of life on Earth (e.g., A.G. Cairns-Smith's Seven Clues to the Origin of Life, Cambridge Univ. Pr., 1990), but this ambitious, authoritative work can be highly recommended for nonspecialist readers who possess basic science literacy.
Gregg Sapp, Univ. of Miami Lib.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Basic Books (December 21, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0465090451
ISBN-13: 978-0465090457
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #216,740 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Christian De Duve Page

Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
VIRTUALLY ALL the organic matter in the living world can be summarized symbolically, if not euphonically, by the formula CHNOPS, which stands for carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S). Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
cytomembrane system, primitive phagocyte, biosynthetic reductions, abiotic chemistry, eukaryotic line, prebiotic world, ancestral cell, thirteen spades, proton potential, emerging life, pyrophosphate bonds, split genes, congruence rule, prebiotic conditions, protonmotive force, ester lipids, ancestral organism, ether lipids

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Nobel Prize, New York, United States, East Africa, Jacques Monod, South Africa

New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats

Citations (learn more)

This book cites 46 books:

The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition--with a new Introduction by the Author by Richard Dawkins on page 261, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
Outlines & Highlights for The Diversity of Life by Wilson, ISBN: 0393319407 (Cram101 Textbook Outlines) by Cram101 Textbook Reviews on page 293, and Back Matter
The Diversity of Life by Edward O. Wilson on page 293, and Back Matter
The Population Bomb by Paul R. Ehrlich in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
Cell Biology by Ricki Lewis in Back Matter

See all 46 books this book cites

59 books cite this book:

Biocosm: The New Scientific Theory of Evolution: Intelligent Life Is the Architect of the Universe by James N. Gardner on page 264, page 275, and page 290
The Wedge of Truth: Splitting the Foundations of Naturalism by Phillip E. Johnson on page 50, and Back Matter
Developing a Universal Religion: Why One Is Needed and How It Might Be Derived by David Hockey on page 242, and Back Matter
Science and Evidence for Design in the Universe (Proceedings of the Wethersfield Institute) by Michael J. Behe on page 109, and Back Matter
Evolution and Eden: Balancing Original Sin and Contemporary Science by Jerry D. Korsmeyer in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)

See all 59 books citing this book

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Singularities by Christian de Duve

Discusses:

Schaum's Outline of Biology by George Fried

Discusses:

The Physiology and Biochemistry of Prokaryotes by David White

Discusses:

Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology by Geo. F. Brooks

Discusses:

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	66% buy the item featured on this page: Vital Dust: The Origin And Evolution Of Life On Earth 4.5 out of 5 stars (11) $22.50
	14% buy Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life 4.8 out of 5 stars (28) $12.21
	8% buy Singularities: Landmarks on the Pathways of Life 4.7 out of 5 stars (3) $37.80
	8% buy Life Evolving: Molecules, Mind, and Meaning 4.4 out of 5 stars (5) $49.50

Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

(What's this?)

Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.

science(6)

evolution(4)

biology(2)

cell biology(2)

ecology(2)

origin of life(2)

nobel prize(1)

See all 9 tags...

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Reviews

11 Reviews

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story's in the details, March 25, 2004

By	Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

Ever since Charles Darwin postulated the beginnings of life in "some warm little pond" science has probed into origin mechanisms. As it became clearer that life is a molecular phenomenon, researchers have delved deeper into chemical processes to work out life's start. De Duve joins that quest with a detailed examination of these mechanisms and the environments in which they come about. In his explanation of life's origins, it becomes clear that the mechanisms leading to life are common. Earth, therefore, is not alone - "the universe is awash with life". If conditions are right, and many of the processes can't go forward unless the environment permits them to, life at some level is sure to begin. "Life is one", he stipulates, but likely in many places.

De Duve's narrative is highly detailed in the opening sections. The conditions and operations he describes are fundamental to life's development. How carbon-based molecules interact in ways that led to replication, then selection, are carefully explained. While many of the early steps were random, perhaps even chaotic, "superior" [because they survived and replicated better] molecular structures became more common. While he notes there are preferred environments for this process, they aren't tightly limited. Change of environment formed selection pressures which even early life could respond to without difficulty. While at first glance this description may appear an account of many chance events, De Duve points out that life started on a "deterministic" path almost from the beginning. The rules of chemical reactions limit what chance can impose. Yet, once the start has been made, similar rules force the process of life forward.

This book is a major statement and deserves serious consideration. That this is a technically challenging read should not discourage you. A thorough analysis of life's development, right up to that major achievement of evolution, the human mind, de Duve demonstrates how important knowledge of ourselves is to our survival. He further postulates that values are an essential part human evolution, including wisdom, love, and responsibility for our place in nature. True science, he argues, supports a sense of moral values, it doesn't abandon nor avoid them. Learning about origins of life as a fact of chemistry doesn't reduce it to sterility nor meaninglessness. These ideas aren't necessarily novel with de Duve, but he expresses them better than most. He also provides a better foundation for believing in them than most. A valuable book, it's one that should be considered vital for any student of nature or philosophy. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Part brilliant, part rehashed, January 31, 2002

By	Kevin W. Parker (Greenbelt, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Duve's thesis is that life springs naturally from the universe. As he concludes: "Life is either a reproducible, almost commonplace manifestation of matter, given certain conditions, or a miracle. Too many steps are involved to allow for something in between."

The best part of the book is early on, when Duve exercises his expertise in biochemistry and discusses how life must have come into existence and made the first moves toward complexity. This is difficult but rewarding reading, and a section I think I will be returning to.

The final chapters, discussing the future of mankind, environmental issues, and the nature of consciousness, are almost entirely derivative, consisting of rehashed thoughts of others rather than original concepts or explanations.

Still the book is well worth it just for the understanding of how life might have come to be and how it developed into what it is today. Recommended.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Revelation, February 18, 1999

By A Customer

The meat of this book is the first 200 pages which describe in depth the origin and evolution of single celled organisms. I used to wonder why there seemed to be so little evolution till multicellular organisms evolved but this book shows that this is an illusion; most biochemistry was "invented" by single celled organisms. Particularly interesting are the description of why and how eukaryotes evolved, and the discussion of the origin of sex. The later evolution is covered in less detail but is still a good read. The best book on evolution I have read, and better than "Microcosmos" by Margulis and Sagan.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 11 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Obviously nothing to argue with, but leaves beginning of life 'hanging'
Excellent writer. Describes technical subjects very well to the layman. I just felt as though the leaps and bounds made to get from a world of primal soups containing only... Read more

Published on October 19, 2007 by J. Pratt

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. de Duve tells it all!
This book is structured along the time line from anaerobic times to multi-celled organism. In addition to its primary topic of how life evolved from plants and bacteria to... Read more

Published on January 2, 2005 by Mehetabelle

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant compilation
A brilliant compilation.

My personal tendency is to consider the systems of creation in the light and abyss of concepts which cannot ever be fully explained by creatures such... Read more

Published on August 3, 2001 by monsterbunny

4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
I found this book to be quite informative and well written. The one small complaint I have about "Vital Dust" is its sparse use of diagrams and illustrations, hence the... Read more

Published on January 2, 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars Vital cells
Easy to read overview of the evolution of life on Earth over the past four billion years. Emphasis on the importance of the cell in evolution.

Published on November 26, 2000 by Howard Schneider

3.0 out of 5 stars Vital Dust - Mechanics and Metaphysics
Christian De Duve is a great scientist. His contributions to biology and to humanity are legion. In this book, De Duve undertakes the daunting task of reconstructing the history... Read more

Published on July 5, 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars A grand old man's finest teaching.
Christian De Duve answers questions you've always wondered about. He does his best to provide a complete picture while being honest about the leaps of imagination he has to take... Read more

Published on September 6, 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting contribution to the debate
His main argument is that the universe, due to its biological design, must have produced life, yet also suggests that, once life had come to be, it should not be expected to... Read more

Published on May 21, 1999

› See all 11 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }

Customer Discussions

This product's forum

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Topic:

First post:

Receive e-mail when new posts are made

Prompts for sign-in

Guidelines

Active discussions in related forums

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
science intelligent design: hypothesis+mechanism+experi... = science	1201	2 minutes ago
science Problems with the Natural Chemical "Origin of Life"	180	4 minutes ago
science Caught In The Act: Butterfly Mate Preference Shows How One Species Can Become Two	38	8 minutes ago
science Creationism is not just America's problem	17	9 minutes ago
evolution The Flood	92	1 hour ago
evolution The Truth About Evolution and Religion	70	1 hour ago
biology Evolution Forum	2	20 days ago