"I recommend the book to anyone interested in the past, present, and future of life on this planet"

-Murray Gell-Mann, author of The Quark and the Jaguar "Simon Levin, easily one of the finest and most thoughtful contemporary ecologists, has written a fine and thoughtful book. Throughout, Levin portrays the broad history of the field he has participated in so well, and characterizes a range of specific and general models and alternative theories to account for many of the broad features seen. Written with charm, grace, and intelligence, this book richly deserves a wide audience."

-Stuart Kauffman, Founding General Partner, Bios Group, L.P., and author of At Home in the Universe