How did life on earth originate? Did replication ormetabolism come first in the history of life? In this book, FreemanDyson examines these questions and discusses the two main theoriesthat try to explain how naturally occurring chemicals couldorganize themselves into living creatures. The majority view isthat life began with replicating molecules, the precursors ofmodern genes. The minority belief is that random populations ofmolecules evolved metabolic activities before exact replicationexisted. Dyson analyzes both of these theories with reference torecent important discoveries by geologists and chemists. His mainaim is to stimulate experiments that could help to decide whichtheory is correct. This second edition covers the enormous advancesthat have been made in biology and geology in the past and theimpact they have had on our ideas about how life began. It is aclearly-written, fascinating book that will appeal to anyoneinterested in the origins of life.

This study breaks new ground in investigating candidatebehavior in American electoral campaigns. It centers on a questionof equal importance to citizens and scholars: how can we producebetter political campaigns? First, Simon develops the idea ofdialogue as a standard for evaluating political campaigns. Second,he reveals that candidates' self-interest in winning leads toavoiding dialogue or substantive campaign discourse. Third, thetext demonstrates the beneficial effects produced by the littledialogue that actually occurs and finally, pinpoints the forcesresponsible for these rare occurrences.