How Light Makes Life, Raffael Jovine
How Light Makes Life, Raffael Jovine
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

How Light Makes Life
The Hidden Wonders and World-Saving Powers of Photosynthesis

Author: Raffael Jovine

Narrator: Stephen Caffrey

Unabridged: 5 hr 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/21/2022


Synopsis

A revelatory journey into the beautifully intricate conversion of light into life, key to every living thing's survival—and our planet's future

We think we know photosynthesis: Plants convert of sunlight, CO2, and water into energy and, ultimately, the food we eat and air we breathe. But Raffael Jovine shows how this incredible process goes beyond what we learned in grade school. First, it's not only about plants: Corals partner with photosynthetic organisms to create the most productive habitat on Earth, slugs eat chloroplasts to create a photosynthesis-based camouflage, hornets use photosynthesis for a very unconventional form of air conditioning—and much more!

Further, photosynthesis can help save the world. Jovine's groundbreaking blueprint for the future harnesses photosynthesis to repair ecosystems, create jobs, and grow sustainable food. This book will help you to see the many surprising ways we can't live without this miracle of light—through the photosynthetic pigments in your own eyes!

About Raffael Jovine

Raffael Jovine trained in molecular biophysics and biochemistry at Yale, did his PhD in marine sciences at UC Santa Barbara, then completed research at MIT. In 2013, he founded and is now chief scientist for a company that uses seawater, sunlight, and wind to grow food in coastal deserts, replicating algal blooms. He is married with five children and lives in London.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Peggy

Overall, a very good read. Informative. Dr. Jovine does a good job at keeping things relatively simple. As someone with a significant science background, at times I would have liked more detail on the processes, chemistry and mathematics of what he was describing. I'm sure he knows these details, bu......more

Goodreads review by Steve

I liked this book. I found it to be well-written, in a conversational tone. The science is explained very clearly and really doesn’t need much background. The book does not get bogged down with all the small details of photosynthesis. I also liked the optimistic tone of the book, which is not overdo......more

Goodreads review by Shan

A great introduction to photosynthesis and its role in shaping the world. The content is not too scientific and can be read by anyone. The book is very short and easy to read. It has a lot of interesting facts about Botany and the role of plants in global climate. The latter part of the book has grea......more

Goodreads review by Syn

A fascinating read with inroads to expanding our understanding of how photosynthesis works and how it can be harnessed to do great things. A really interesting look at the history of photosynthesis and of what we have learned over the years. And there is still so much more to learn!......more