Seasons of Life (Paperback)

The biological rhythms that enable living things to thrive and survive

Leon Kreitzman, Russell Foster

The new world of chronobiology is popular science at its most exciting: understanding how the seasons regulate the life of every human, plant and animal on Earth.

The natural world is full of rhythms. How do birds know when to return to their nesting grounds? What effect do the seasons have on our wellbeing, and how does the season in which we are born affect our subsequent life chances? How did humans get the idea that there were seasons 50,000 years ago? Seasons of Life explains why the seasons occur, the impact of seasonal change and how organisms have evolved to anticipate these changes. For although we mask the effects of seasonal changes by warming our homes, lighting our nights, preserving foods and storing water, we cannot hide from them.

Publication date: 26/08/2010

£9.99

ISBN: 9781861979698

Imprint: Profile Books

Subject: Science & Mathematics, Travel & Nature

Seasons of Life (Ebook)

The biological rhythms that enable living things to thrive and survive

Leon Kreitzman, Russell Foster

The new world of chronobiology is popular science at its most exciting: understanding how the seasons regulate the life of every human, plant and animal on Earth.

The natural world is full of rhythms. How do birds know when to return to their nesting grounds? What effect do the seasons have on our wellbeing, and how does the season in which we are born affect our subsequent life chances? How did humans get the idea that there were seasons 50,000 years ago? Seasons of Life explains why the seasons occur, the impact of seasonal change and how organisms have evolved to anticipate these changes. For although we mask the effects of seasonal changes by warming our homes, lighting our nights, preserving foods and storing water, we cannot hide from them.

Publication date: 26/08/2010

£9.99

ISBN: 9781847652799

ISBN 10 / ASIN: B003ZDNWNQ

Imprint: Profile Books

Subject: Science & Mathematics, Travel & Nature

Reviews for Seasons of Life

'A must-read for anyone who has ever looked up at a migrating skein of geese and wondered "how do they know...?'

 New Scientist

'With their new book Foster and Kreitzman have produced a tantalizing account of most of the relevant facts of what has been nicknamed 'Nature's contraceptive'. This reflects the key function of seasonal organization. Thousands of species across the globe, including the tropics, employ seasonality to turn off reproduction at times of year when low food supply is expected and individual fitness is better served by waiting patiently for the next season. The Seasons of Life is a joy to read, and a compelling text on the importance of seasonality in the evolution of life on earth.'

 Nature

'Fascinating ... compelling ... there is a profound awe for the subtle rhythms and invisible mechanisms of the natural world, knowledge that may prove vital in the coming years.'

PD Smith Guardian

'A joy to read'

 Financial Times

'An excellent book on Chronobiology'

 Guardian

Leon Kreitzman

Leon Kreitzman

Leon Kreitzman is a consultant and biologist and the author of 24 Hour Society.

Russell Foster

Russell Foster

Russell Foster is professor of Biology at Imperial College, London and the world's leading expert on chronobiology.