Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet

I did know that the oxygen liberated in photosynthesis came from water molecules. I didn't know that the basic research in nuclear physics and nuclear chemistry merged with biochemistry to fill out the details. The problem solvers were notably NOT biologists, and I say that not to demean the life sciences, but to emphasize that the tools they needed came from research done on a seemingly totally unrelated topic. A cautionary tale for those opposed Government spending on research that doesn't seem to be relevant to them.Oliver Morton is very readable, weaving a story of discoveries and personality which I find attractive and helps to bring the chronology alive. There is plenty to read here, but the time spent is worth it.

I definitely agree with the earlier reviewer, who stated that he couldn't understand how anyone could give this book less than five stars! This is by far the best book on photosynthesis (and its meaning, history and implications) that's available, and I should know since I have spent a lot of time searching for just such exquisite and detailed writing concerning this subject.Furthermore, I've bought multiple copies, because it is such a gem (both in terms of its writing style and its content). There are so many incredibleideas and facts contained in this volume, that I find it hard to imagine just HOW the author researched and composed such a beautiful book.

This is one of the BEST books I have come across to help anyone understand how our World works, and the importance of that understanding. It takes the reader through the necessary steps of vocabulary, glossary, integrated systems, ecological insights, as well as myths and misunderstandings. Anyone reading this book will come away with new knowledge and fresh ideas that will effect their thinking about plants, the sun and the world hence forward. This is a scientific discourse without boredom or pedantics. And it's easy to quote and enjoy. You will most certainly feel and be smarter after this read.

I bought this book used and it is in great condition.If you really want to understand how plant life works and how we figured it all out, this is an awesome book. The book is a slow, but very good read, because the author really spends the time explaining the science of photosynthesis in a way that non-technical people can understand. The stories about the personalities involved in the science of photosynthesis are great as well.

Oliver Morton is not only exceedingly well versed in his topic, he writes lyrically in a way I've never before encountered in science writing. The breadth of his knowledge, and his ability to organize and communicate what he has learned, is staggering. Of all the science books I've ever read, this singular book has found a place in my heart. I will read it again.

Of the hundreds of books I've read, this might be the dullest. Photosynthesis is fascinating, but not when explained by Mr. Morton. Reading this book was like torture. To give an example, the first hundred pages are concerned with different kinds of carbon. A very sophisticated knowledge of chemistry and physics would be most helpful. I tried mightily to finish it but, alas, was not up to it.I may never eat another salad.

Oliver Morton has woven a cloth of pure gold from the threads that trace the story of photosynthesis. Eating the Sun is a model of science writing for the nonscientist and an exemplary chapter in the history of science, written with integrative intelligence, leavened with deft, humorous biographical characterizations, and punctuated by a series of concluding statements of startling, poetic power.

As a biochemistry major in grad.school and having done research w/ photosynthesis, the author has done his homework and has a "A" paper(book). The ONLY critique would be that the "next edition" needs to have more visuals aids to go with his step-by-step explanations.This would make an an A+ book.

This is a big book. A good couple of weeks' worth of holiday reading. Some chapters contain more actual science than my MA degree course in botany did, but you're not going to be examined on it so you don't need to commit to memory. You can still read through without picking up and remembering all the details.It is a unique and fundamental primer of the earth, its history and where we fit into the picture, the most entertaining and unputdownable that I have ever read. With huge implications for technology in the future, I challenge sixth form students to read this book and not want to be part of the new plant science revolution. Biology now joins physics as exciting atomic-level science; the only science that will feed the world.Yes, there is the odd mistake not discovered by editors (the Kew botanist J Hooker is Joseph, not John.) And I got very cross with his teleology - he implies that human progress needed the change from hunter gatherer to cereal eater. He doesn't discuss the downside of this, the move to enslaving and 'farming' people for tax and labour inside villages, and depriving them of the old right to find free food or land to raise food. But it's an interesting point this, that without carbon dioxide levels rising in the old stone age from their low levels 18000 years ago, grasses like wheat and rice would not yield enough to be worth growing and eating.Give this book to every young person as a bluffer's guide to the earth and everything on it; and as a brilliant introduction to science, to conservation, to the possible futures of your life. It's a very readable, enthralling account of life and everything.

This book divides in three sections, in 9 chapters over 412 pages of fairly small print. This required more than the usual week it takes me to read a book, plus plenty of concentration to assimilate the long chapters.What I found was a very good, but variable read. My main criticism was that this book took 141 pages to set the scene in it's historical context before even starting on the main course. This is too long!However, the remaining two thirds are a shining example of popular science writing at it's best. Morton has a really good sense of what makes an interesting statistic - he has spent time to justify his facts with the figures. I found most of the subject matter to be very original.The pace of the narrative progressively quickens, along with the salient details. By the final chapter on global energy, Morton has reached a sprint. One wonders if he realised he was exceeding his word count after the first section, then cut to the chase - making the majority of this book a gripping read.

First, I would like to thank Amazon for sending me a replacement since the original book I ordered never arrived (well, probably arrived and probably stolen from the building entrance). One of the benefits of living in the EUs ding-dong (check the map, it's the little pointy thing hanging between Italy, the stylish leg, and the "fat clawed leg" of Bulgaria/Romania/Greece).Back to the book. I'm an animal physiologist and immunobiologist so plants are not my area of expertise - and that is precisely why I wanted to read this book. Actually, what brought me to it was a mention in Dawkings' "The Greatest Show on Earth". Upon finishing Dawkings I immediately ordered Morton and I'm enjoying every page of it. Sure, there's a lot of history and anecdotes but they are fun to read, quite informative also. Nevertheless, Morton writes about plants and plant physiology as a poet would. It's a fine read for anyone even remotely interested in plants and photosynthesis but you do need some general knowledge of biology, preferably cell biology. Nothing much, just enough to know that mitochondria is not a side dish but an organelle, that's it :) You could probably enjoy the book even if you never opened a biology textbook but I suppose it would be somewhat difficult to grasp the more challenging concepts.For me, the biggest thrill was to "meet" all the "persons" in cell physiology. For example, Calvin's cycle etc. Those people were real (yeah, I know, big revelation) and it was nice to learn a little about them.All in all, "Eating the Sun" is an elegant ode to the relentless, evergoing, relatively simple process that drives the life on Earth as we know it.

arrived quickly well packed as described and no hasslesThis seemed to correspond with some of the more philosophical discussions I have with my dad. We both think the sun is just amazing and the source of everything on earth.So it was great to get a book that follows that theme and puts it all more eloquently than I could,Fascinating read. It'll wither confirm your thoughts or open your eyes to how great the sun is.ACID TEST: would I buy it again - YES

Don't be deceived by the quirky title or illustrated cover into thinking this is a trivial work. It isn't! It is a book that kept me up later than I planned as I had to keep turning the pages. I have some knowledge of the subject and a scientific background so I didn't expect to learn too much from this book. How wrong I was in my deluded self-confidence! The author takes his subject head-on and clearly explains the rather complicated processes involved. I really did enjoy the read and I have it ready to pass on to my son with a strong recommendation to make time in his busy life for this little masterpiece.