The Universe and Life: .

By G. Siegfried Kutter

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0867200332
• ISBN13: 9780867200331
• Release Date: January 1986
• Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning
• Length: 592 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 1.3" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

An exploration of origins

G.S. Kutter's `The Universe and Life' is a fascinating, rare combination of sciences. In the foreword written by Professor Lynn Margulis of Boston University:`Professor Kutter has actually accomplished what most scientist-scholars experience only in their wildest dreams: a readable treatise on cosmic evolution. Are we the only intelligent (interstellar-communicating) life in the universe?'This book is divided into two sections: Physical Evolution and Biological Evolution. Kutter begins from the broadest of principles and works his way inward. The breadth of the material in this book is indeed a challenge for understanding; quite often those with an aptitude and interest in the more physical sciences (physics, chemistry, astronomy, etc.) are less inclined toward the biological sciences (botany, zoology, etc.) and vice versa. This book covers a wide span of both. This book has several intentions. It can be used as a primer for liberal arts students who need a broad overview of the sciences, for one will get a generous portion of many of the sciences from this text. It is also useful for those who are intending to study in the sciences, and have yet to decide a particular concentration, or also for those who have selected a concentration, but want a broader exposure to the current issues outside their immediate fields.Kutter takes the chronological approach, beginning with the origins of the universe. Thus, the first section of the book, Physical Evolution, begins with complex issues and problems in astronomy, physics, and cosmology. In all of these works -- the overall cosmological framework of the universe, the formation of galaxies and stars, the synthesis of heavy elements and the formation of planetary systems, including our own -- the point is to demonstrate how these developments led to the environment in which life could thrive.`Following the Big Bang, the primordial hydrogen and helium condensed into stars, galaxies, and galaxy clusters. Within the cores of stars the hydrogen was fused into helium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and other heavier elements. At the end of the their lives, the most massive stars exploded as supernovae and threw the newly synthesized elements into space, thus altering the composition of the interstellar gas and dust within galaxies. Finally, some 4.5 billion years ago, our Solar System was created in the disk of the Milky Way.'In the second section on Biological Evolution, Kutter begins with a brief essay on the idea of biological evolution, and proceeds to trace the steps of development from simple to complex lifeforms: early life and botanical development, origin and development of the major animal phyla, appearance of the vertebrates, and finally the primates. 'With the origin of life on Earth an entirely new kind of evolution began--biological evolution. This is consistent with all the laws of physics, but it is far more complex than physical evolution and much less predictable.'This book assumes a scientific ap

A Unique Synthesis of Science

This undeservedly obscure book is unique, as far as I know, in pulling together into a single easily followed story the evolution of the universe from the big bang to the formation of our planet and of molecules plus the evolution of life on earth. As a result, it offers a 'big picture' basic story within which or from which to anchor a great deal of our knowledge of the world and our place in it. Most highly recommended.The Universe and Life is essentially a textbook, written for an undergraduate survey course, but there is no reason the rest of us can't read it as almost a 'popular science' book. For a more or less scientifically literate person it should not be a difficult read. For a less prepared person, it might be harder going, but manageable and well worth the effort.