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Loading... He Knew He Was Right: The Irrepressible Life of James Lovelockby John Gribbin, Mary Gribbin
None No current Talk conversations about this book.  the.ken.petersen | Feb 11, 2014 |  no reviews | add a review
Jim Lovelock is an iconic figure in British science, a prophet whose prophecies are coming true. This is his definitive authorised biography. Lovelock is best known as the 'father' of Gaia theory, which isnow established as the most useful way of understanding the dramatic changes happening to the environment of the Earth. But few people know about his early work as a chemist and inventor - work which included inventing the detectors used to search for life on Mars, and blowing the whistle on the depletion of ozone layer. In his personal life, he was a Quaker and conscientious objector in World War Two (later changing his mind in view of the evils of Nazism), supported his family for a time by selling his own blood, and gave up a salary and security to become an independent scientist based in an English village - from which all his best known work emerged. As he approaches his 90th birthday, looking forward to going into space, this book truly reveals an independent, original and inspiring life. No library descriptions found. |
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 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)509.2Natural sciences and mathematics General Science History, geographic treatment, biography BiographyLC ClassificationRatingAverage: (4)
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Wikipedia in English (1)
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For those who do not know, Gaia was the earth mother and had her name attached to Lovelock's hypothesis, now upgraded to a theory, that the geological planet, the plants and animals operate a feedback system keeping the weather conditions in check.
Lovelock, who is 94, at the time of this review, has worked tirelessly to bring credence to the concept. Scientists fought his ideas for some time. To me, a nonscientific type, they immediately appeared to be worthy of contemplation, so I took some time to search for reasons why the boffins should have taken so much convincing that it was worth perusal. I believe it is because it gets too close to admitting that there is a God. Interlinked systems are dangerously close to a creator. Lovelock is now careful to stress that each participant must see an advantage, there can be no altruism!
This book is only 227 pages so, it is astounding that, by the final page, one feels that one has read a full biography of Lovelock AND received a thorough background in Gaia theory. The book never preaches, it sets out the facts and leaves others to decide: just the sort of biography I like! This book comes highly recommended. (