The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life

The Tangled Tree: A Radical New History of Life by David Quammen, 460 pages.

A fascinating look at how genes change and travel throughout the living world, and, also the various science-folk who have discussed the various tree or blob shapes that can be used to show the relatedness of living things. Lynn Marguilis, Carl Woese, and many other people working in the field are discussed. Various theories ebb and flow, but one of the main foci of the book is horizontal gene transfer, or the movement of genetic material between individual microorganisms and between species, becoming apparent to human beings through phenomena like quickly spreading antibiotic resistance. By the time the Human Genome Project was underway and genetic mapping was becoming more common, evidence of HGT was found in insects, crustaceans, head lice and nematodes. The work continues as new discoveries show more of the interrelatedness of species and more of the problems in trying to map out the relatedness of families, phyla, genera and species. A compelling book, with a convoluted story, conflicting theories (over time), and brilliant people disagreeing passionately, and sometimes bitterly. The downloadable audio was narrated by Jacques Roy.