The commentaries on the following books are purely my own, and do not reflect the opinions of the Astronomy Dept or any persons or groups associated with the San Diego State University. - W.F. Welsh, 2004 Jan 23 ** denotes an outstanding reference book for an Astr 310 term project. Astrobiology ____________ ** "Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe" Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee Copernicus (an imprint of Springer-Verlag), New York (2000) - Outstanding treatise that argues that the conditions that allow the origin, evolution, and survival of complex life (i.e. multicellular animal or plant life) are very unlikely. Hence, life on Earth may be far more unique and precious than previously thought. A landmark book. ** "The Search for Life on Other Planets" Bruce Jakosky Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1998) - Outstanding discussion of many key topics of astrobiology, especially the origin and development of life on Earth and the search for life in our Solar system. Contains a strong emphasis on planetary geology. It covers much less material than the Goldsmith & Owen text or the Bennet, Jakosky & Shostak text (e.g. minimal discussion of astronomy and the universe, only a cursory discussion of SETI, and no discussion of UFOs), but what it covers, it does better - more depth and detail. ** "Extraterrestrial Life" 4th Edition Neal J. Evans II Burgess International, Inc., Edina (1996) - Outstanding reference based on a course taught at the University of Texas at Austin since the 1970's. Thorough, far-reaching, and with a strong emphasis on the Drake equation. Very good discussion of evolution in general and human evolution in particular. ** "The Biological Universe" Seven J. Dick Cambridge Univ. Press (1996) - "The twentieth century extraterrestrial life debate and the limits of sciences." Dick is an astronomer and historian of science and has put together an excellent compendium of knowedge on all aspects of the science of extraterrestrial life, from philosophy & religion to hard data, from Lowell & canals on Mars to SETI, from UFOs to extrasolar planets, etc.. Very complete references. A bit outdated on the extrasolar planets and extremeophiles, but the rest is excellent and extremely well-researched. "Astrobiology" Monica Grady Smithsonian Institution Press in association with the Natural History Museum, London (2001) - A short (about 90 pages) discussion of the key topics related to astrobiology. Very well and lavishly illustrated. Goes right to the point of most issues, though sometimes lacking depth. An excellent suppliment, but should not be used as a primary source of information. "Distant Wanderers: The Search for Planets Beyond the Solar System" Bruce Dorminey Copernicus-Springer Verlag (2001) - (unreviewed at this time) Introduction to the discovery of extrasolar planets. The Development of the Science of Astrobiology ______________________________________________ "The Spark of Life: Darwin and the Primeval Soup" Christopher Wills and Jeffrey Bada Perseus Publishing, Cambridge USA (2000) - A very readable review of the history and the research involved in the origin of life saga. Comprehensive and very up-to-date. ** "Here Be Dragons: The Scientific Quest for Extraterrestrial Life" David Koerner and Simon LeVay Oxford University Press, New York (2000) - Excellent account of the historical development of the science of astrobiology, touching on many topics: origin and evolution of life, the search for planets and life in the universe, the religion of UFOs. Several chapters are a "MUST READ" for anyone interested in UFOs. ** "Life Everywhere: The Maverick Science of Astrobiology" David Darling Basic Books (Perseus Books Group), New York (2001) - A look at the important recent discoveries that are driving the new science of astrobiology, partly told in the style of a journalistic investigation. Fascinating Biology ___________________ ** "The Cradle of Life: The Discovery of the Earth's Earliest Fossils" J. William Schopf Princeton Univ. Press (2001) - Very readable and first-hand account of Schopf's pioneering work on ancient fossils, and the clues to the origin of life on Earth. The epilogue contains an excellent section on ALH 84001. (Schopf was the chosen "critic" at the original NASA press conference on ALH 84001). "What is Life?" Lynn Margulis and Dorion Sagan University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles (2000) - A comprehensive exploration of the question "What is life?", examined primarily from a microbiology viewpoint, but also includes the history and philosophy of the modern incarnation of the question. Contains a strong bent on the Gaia hypothesis and endosymbiosis. "Life on the Edge: Amazing Creatures Thriving in Extreme Environments" Michael Gross Plenum Trade, New York (1998) - An interesting and thorough look at the ways cells cope with extreme environments. Rigorous, but not bogged down with detailed biochemistry. ** "The Surprising Archaea: Discovering Another Domain of Life" John L. Howland Oxford Univ. Press (2000) - Well written, personal-style journey into the discovery of the Archaea. An excellent introduction to the archaea. "Life at the Limits: Organisms in Extreme Environments" David A. Wharton Cambridge Univ Press (2002) - (incomplete review at this time; the parts I've read contain a solid discussion of how life copes with extreme conditions) "The Outer Reaches of Life" John Postgate Cambridge Univ Press (Canto) (1995) - (unreviewed at this time) "From the Atacama to Makalu" R.T. Arrieta Coqui Press, Panama City (1997) - (unreviewed at this time) "The Deep Hot Biosphere" Thomas Gold Springer Verlag, New York (1999) - (unreviewed at this time; Deals with life deep underground, including a discussion on the author's controvercial hypothesis regarding fossil fuels having a non-organic-decay origin.) Debunking Pseudoscience _______________________ ** "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark" Carl Sagan Ballantine Books, New York (1996) - Superb examination of the fallacies and dangers of pseudoscience. Highly readable. NY Times bestseller. (Students have given this very high praise.) "Did Adam and Eve have Navels?: Discourses on Reflexology, Numerology, Urine Therapy, and Other Dubious Subjects" Martin Gardner WW. Norton & Company, New York (2000) - Gardner gives pseudoscience another sound thrashing. Very readable, if not outright hilarious. Yet make no mistake, it is deep and hard hitting. ** "Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and other Confusions of Our Times" Michael Shermer W.H. Freeman and Company, New York (1997) - Excellent look at a wide range of topics in pseudoscience, pseudohistory, creationism, cults, etc.. Extols the value of skepticism and critical thinking, and points out how good thinking can so readily go wrong. A very good companion to the Demon-Haunted World. "Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud" Robert L. Park Oxford Univ Press (2000) - (unreviewed at this time; From the pubishers: "...you don't have to be a scientist to spot the foolish and fraudulent science that swirls around us. While incorporating elements of high humor, this hard-hitting account also tallies the cost: the billions spent by the public on worthless therapies, the tax dollars squandered...But the greater cost is human: fear of imaginary dangers, reliance on magical cures, and above all, a sort-of upside down view of how the world works.") "Round In Circles: Poltergeists, Pranksters, and the Secret History of Cropwatchers" Jim Schnabel Prometheus Books, Amherst (1994) - First-hand account of the author's investigation into the crop circle hoax and the people involved. A MUST READ for anyone interested in crop circles. "Quantum Leaps in the Wrong Direction" Charles M. Wynn and Arthur W. Wiggins Joseph Henry Press, Wash. DC (2001) - A light, cursory treatment of many topics in pseudoscience. Insufficient as a primary source of information. "On the Wild Side" Martin Gardner Prometheus Books, Buffalo (1992) - (unreviewed at this time, but expect the usual, outstanding, biting humor characteristic of Gardner) Textbooks and Reviews _____________________ ** "The Search for Life in the Universe" 3rd Edition Donald Goldsmith & Tobias Owen University Science Books, Sausalito (2001) - Comprehensive coverage of all aspects of astrobiology, written in a textbook fashion. Up to date and thorough; this is the 3rd edition of this classic book on astrobiology. Strong on the discussion of Mars, and introductory astronomy, but surprisingly weak discussion of Europa. "Life in the Universe" 1st Edition Bennett, Shostak & Jakosky Addison Wesley (Pearson Education), San Francisco (2003) - Excellent introductory textbook on the subject. Thorough, very up-to-date; well-written and very well illustrated. A bit skimpy or too fast-paced on the introductory astronomy, but otherwise excellent. "Biology" 5th Edition Campbell, Reece and Mitchell Benjamin/Cummings, Menlo Park, CA (1999) - Comprehensive introductory biology textbook; a standard. "The Origin of Life on the Earth and in the Cosmos" 2nd Edition Geoffry Zubay Harcourt Academic Press, San Diego (2000) -Heavy-duty text on the origin, evolution, and structure of life and associated biochemical pathways. !! Warning: The astronomy section is inaccurate and/or outdated and contains a lot of irrelevant material. ** "The New Solar System" 4th Edition edited by J. Kelly Beaty, Carolyn Collins Peterson and Andrew Chaikin Sky Publishing Corp and Cambridge Univ Press, Cambridge USA (1999) - A collection of excellent articles on the Solar System with lots of color images. Contains a chapter on extrasolar planets and a chapter on the possibility of life elsewhere in the solar system. "Discovering the Universe" 5th or 6th Edition Neil F. Comins and William J. Kaufmann III W.H. Freeman and Company, New York (2000, 2003) - A very good, up-to-date introductory astronomy text. "The Origin and Evolution of the Universe" Ben Zuckerman and Matthew A. Malkin Jones & Bartlett Publishers (1996) "Astronomy: The Solar System and Beyond" 2nd Edition Michael Seeds Brooks/Cole Publishers, Pacific Grove (2001) - Introductory astronomy textbook "Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe" 3rd Edition Chaison & McMillan Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River (2001) - Introductory astronomy textbook "The Cosmic Perspective" Bennett, Donahue, Schneider & Voit Addison Wesley Longman, San Francisco (2000) - Excellent astronomy textbook