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The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
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The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life Hardback - 1999

by Paul Davies; Paul Davies

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How and where did life begin? Is it a chemical fluke, unique to Earth, or the product of intriguingly bio-friendly laws governing the entire universe? In his latest far-reaching book, "The Fifth Miracle," internationally acclaimed physicist and writer Paul Davies confronts one of science's great outstanding mysteries -- the origin of life.

Davies shows how new research hints that the crucible of life lay deep within Earth's hot crust, and not in a "warm little pond," as first suggested by Charles Darwin. Bizarre microbes discovered dwelling in the underworld and around submarine volcanic vents are thought to be living fossils. This discovery has transformed scientists' expectations for life on Mars and elsewhere in the universe. Davies stresses the key role that the bombardment of the planets by giant comets and asteroids has played in the origin and evolution of life, arguing that these "deep impacts" delivered the raw material for biology, but also kept life confined to its subterranean haven for millions of years.

Recently, scientists have uncovered tantalizing clues that life may have existed and may still exist -- elsewhere in the universe. "The Fifth Miracle" recounts the discovery in Antarctica of a meteorite from Mars (ALH84001) that may contain traces of life. Three and a half billion years ago, Mars resembled Earth. It was warm and wet and could have supported primitive organisms. Davies believes that the red planet may still harbor microbes in thermally heated rocks deep below the Martian permafrost. He goes on to describe a still more startling scenario: If life once existed on Mars, might it have originated there and traveled to Earth inside meteorites blastedinto space by cosmic impacts? Conversely, did life spread from Earth to Mars? Could microbes have journeyed even farther afield inside comets?

Davies builds on the latest scientific discoveries and theories to address the larger question: What, exactly, is life? Davies shows that the living call is an information-processing system that uses a sophisticated mathematical code, and he argues that the secret of life lies not with exotic chemistry but with the emergence of information-based complexity. He then goes on to ask: Is life the inevitable by-product of physical laws, as many scientists maintain, or an almost miraculous accident? Are we alone in the universe, or will life emerge on all Earthlike planets? And if there is life elsewhere in the universe, is it preordained to evolve toward greater complexity and intelligence? On the answers to these deep questions hinges the ultimate purpose of mankind -- who we are and what our place might be in the unfolding drama of the cosmos.

Details

  • Title The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
  • Author Paul Davies; Paul Davies
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 304
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Simon & Schuster, New York
  • Publication date 1999
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780684837994 / 0684837994
  • Weight 1.28 lbs (0.58 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.55 x 6.37 x 1.07 in (24.26 x 16.18 x 2.72 cm)
  • Category Science
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 98033421
  • Dewey Decimal Code 576.83

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The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
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The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

by Davies, Paul

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The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
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The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

by Davies, Paul

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The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
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The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

by Davies, Paul

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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

by Paul Davies

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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

by Paul Davies

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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

by Davies, Paul

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9780684837994 / 0684837994
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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

by Davies, Paul

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9780684837994 / 0684837994
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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

by Davies, Paul

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780684837994 / 0684837994
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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
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The Fifth Miracle : The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

by Davies, Paul

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Simon & Schuster. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life
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The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life

by Davies, Paul

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Simon & Schuster, 1999-03-04. First Edition. hardcover. Used: Good. 2.00x26.00x9.00. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
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