Oxygen: The molecule that made the world

Oxygen is vital to life, and so most people would see it as beneficial. But if you read Oxygen: The molecule that made the world by Nick Lane then you may come to see it in a different light - as much a poison as a protector. We all know about how antioxidants are supposed to help us. Lane gives a critical look at some of the claims made for them, but goes on to consider how understanding the effect of oxygen on our bodies may indeed lead to new ways of dealing with ageing an disease - a subject of interest to us all.

The book also has plenty to say about the role of oxygen in evolution. Seeing oxygen as a poison gives a new outlook on the coming of photosynthesis and of multicellular organisms. Lane introduces some of the recent ideas which have revolutionised our understanding of the first few billion years of life on this planet.

As for difficulty, well I would say that a complete beginner might struggle with some of the book, but it's certainly easier than his 2005 book on Mitochondria - Oxygen would be a good starter for those who find his later book hard going.