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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story
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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story Paperback - 1990

by A. G. Cairns-Smith

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Reader reviews for Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story

From the publisher

This book addresses the question of how life may have arisen on earth, in the spirit of an intriguing detective story. It relies on the methods of Sherlock Holmes, in particular his principle that one should use the most paradoxical features of a case to crack it. This approach to the essential biological problems is not merely light-hearted, but a fascinating scrutiny of some very fundamental questions. 'I know of no other book that succeeds as well as this one in maintaining the central question in focus throughout. It is a summary of the best evolutionary thinking as applied to the origins of life in which the important issues are addressed pertinently, economically and with a happy recourse to creative analogies.' Nature '... a splendid story - and a much more convincing one than the molecular biologists can offer as an alternative. Cairns-Smith has argued his case before in the technical scientific literature, here he sets it out in a way from which anyone - even those whose chemistry and biology stopped at sixteen - can learn.' New Statesman

From the rear cover

This book addresses the question of how life may have arisen on the earth, in the spirit of an intriguing detective story. It relies on the methods of Sherlock Holmes, in particular his principle that one should use the most paradoxical features of a case to crack it. This approach to the essential biological problems is not merely light-hearted, but a fascinating scrutiny of some very fundamental questions.

Details

  • Title Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story
  • Author A. G. Cairns-Smith
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition INTERNATIONAL ED
  • Pages 144
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
  • Publication date 1990-09-13
  • Features Glossary
  • ISBN 9780521398282 / 0521398282
  • Weight 0.42 lbs (0.19 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.53 x 5.53 x 0.36 in (21.67 x 14.05 x 0.91 cm)
  • Themes
    • Topical: Ecology
  • Category Science
  • Library of Congress subjects Life - Origin
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 90034405
  • Dewey Decimal Code 577

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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story (Canto)
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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story (Canto)

by Cairns-Smith, A. G.

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Cambridge University Press, 11/30/1990 12:00:01. paperback. Good. 0.3600 8.5000 5.5000. Minor shelf wear on cover. Minimal markings from previous owner threwout pages.\r\n\r\n
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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story (Canto)
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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story (Canto)

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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story (Canto)
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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story (Canto)

by Cairns-Smith, A. G.

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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life : A Scientific Detective Story
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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life : A Scientific Detective Story

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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story (Canto)
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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story (Canto)

by Cairns-Smith, A. G.

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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life (A Scientific Detective Story)

Seven Clues to the Origin of Life (A Scientific Detective Story)

by Cairns-Smith, A. G.

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Cambridge University Press, 1990. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life (A Scientific Detective Story)

Seven Clues to the Origin of Life (A Scientific Detective Story)

by Cairns-Smith, A. G.

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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life (A Scientific Detective Story)

Seven Clues to the Origin of Life (A Scientific Detective Story)

by Cairns-Smith, A. G.

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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life : A Scientific Detective Story
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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life : A Scientific Detective Story

by Cairns-Smith, A. G

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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story (Canto)
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Seven Clues to the Origin of Life: A Scientific Detective Story (Canto)

by Cairns-Smith, A. G

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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