Every Life Is on Fire: How Thermodynamics Explains the Origins of Living Things Hardcover Illustrated, September 15, 2020

Every Life Is on Fire: How Thermodynamics Explains the Origins of Living Things is a thought-provoking book that explores the origins of life through the lens of thermodynamics. Written by Jeremy England, a theoretical physicist, the book presents the concept of "dissipative adaptation" as an energy-driven mechanism for the emergence of life. England explains the idea that a complex system can absorb energy from its environment and remain stable in a non-equilibrium configuration. This adaptability allows the system to evolve and match the pattern of the energy it's absorbing, leading to the spontaneous emergence of life. The book is based on original work and is well-explained, making it accessible to readers with a basic understanding of energy, thermodynamics, chemistry, and evolution. However, some readers may find the book lacking in a detailed explanation of the jumpstart process and why DNA became involved. Explaining how life emerged from non-living matter is still a work in progress and a challenging problem, and the book reflects that ongoing exploration. The book does reference the Hebrew Bible in order to illustrate philosophical points about the fuzzy boundary between living things and inanimate matter, as well as the meaning of life. These references are not intended to promote creationism or intelligent design, but rather to demonstrate that these questions have been pondered in religious texts without relying solely on detailed scientific knowledge. Overall, Every Life Is on Fire presents a fascinating and thought-provoking perspective on the origins of life, taking into account the principles of thermodynamics. It is a relatively short book that provides a good introduction to the topic, although some readers may find it lacking in certain aspects.