How did life emerge on Earth? Is there life on other worlds? These questions, until recently confined to the pages of speculative essays and tabloid headlines, are now the subject of legitimate scientific research. This book presents a unique perspective--a combined historical, scientific, and philosophical analysis, which does justice to the complex nature of the subject. The book's first part offers an overview of the main ideas on the origin of life as they developed from antiquity until the twentieth century. The second, more detailed part of the book examines contemporary theories and major debates within the origin-of-life scientific community.
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The Emergence of Life on Earth...is...a work of history and philosophy of science, raising important questions in a way fully up to date with current discourse in both history and philosophy, and integrating these approaches throughout the book....Regarding the different modern hypotheses on the emergence of life, Fry repeats the argument of her earlier paper that these are not as different as they seem, because they contain deep philosophical elements in common with those areas that historically formed the basis of greatest discord, especially what she calls the continuity thesis.

Fry offers a unique tapestry of history, philosophy, and science as applied to the question of life's origins and the related issues attendant to the evolution/creationism debate. Early chapters provide a valuable historical framework for more detailed elaboration in later chapters of recent theories and investigations....Fry's treatment is thorough, objective, and uncompromising. Her views are clearly stated, but in a way that encourages readers to think and formulate personal opinions. After reading this book, many will agree with the author's assertion that appreciation for the complexity of questions attendant to the emergence of life enigma is most complete when the views of scientists, historians, and philosophers are all considered.

Essential reading for people in disciplines ranging from philosophy to biology. It is simply the best general book that I know on the question of the origin of life.

The Emergence of Life on Earth is...methodical, comprehensive....[Fry] allows the intrinsic fascination of the science to speak for itself. This low-key approach turns out to be a real treat in our overhyped, oversold, overly solicitous world. Her book rewards by giving you a generous return on your investment of time and effort; the pleasure comes form learning, not from entertainment.

Fry has fashioned a masterful account of the history, philosophy, and science of the origin of life and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Her story weaves profound Western ideas of who we are and where we came from, from Aristotle to Gould, from Kant to NASA.