First of all, I must apologise for the long hiatus of this series. Life has been extremely hectic over the past 9 months and so, I haven’t been able to read as much I would have like to. I also feel ashamed that it took me so long to get to reading a book that I went to a book event for almost a year ago – you can read more about that here. If you’re reading this Jules, I apologise! You may remember that I reviewed another book by Howard a while back called Sex on Earth, which can be seen as a sort of prequel to Infinite Life. Within this instalment, Howard offers a captivating exploration into the pivotal role of eggs throughout evolutionary history. Howard presents a well-informed narrative that re-examines life’s progression through the lens of the egg, shedding light on its often-underappreciated significance.
Howard structures the book chronologically, guiding readers from the Proterozoic Eon to the present day, highlighting the egg’s evolutionary milestones. He begins by discussing ancient cyanobacteria that formed cysts (precursors to modern eggs) as survival mechanisms in harsh environments. As evolution unfolds, Howard examines the emergence of true eggs in early animals during the Ediacaran period, despite limited and fragmented fossil evidence. Some of this is speculative at present given the little evidence that we have but it is based on good science and our understanding of the organisms in question. The narrative also delves into significant evolutionary developments, such as the differentiation between germ and somatic cells in the Cambrian period and the advent of the serosa in insect eggs during the Carboniferous, which contributed to their diversification. This is something that I wasn’t even aware of previously, so it is great that such important and pivotal ideas can be shared in such an accessible format.
As we move closer to the present day, Howard also explores the evolution of the amniotic egg, a crucial adaptation that enabled vertebrates to reproduce on land, and the intricate dynamics of the placenta in mammals, highlighting its viral origins. This is of course also the story of ourselves, an intimate part of our own evolutionary history, as told by our long-distant ancestors as they tried to adapt in changing climates. To me an important part of what makes this book so enjoyable (other than travelling through time without the need for a DeLorean) are the vivid descriptions and occasional linguistic flourishes to bring complex biological concepts to life that Howard uses. The book avoids excessive humour or overly crafted prose, relying instead on well thought out arguments and Howard’s passion to captivate readers.
If you’re interested in evolution, zoology or animal physiology then I would recommend you give Infinite Life a read. If you do, I would love to hear what your thoughts are.
If you liked this post and enjoy reading this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon where you will also gain access to exclusive content. If you’d like to buy a book from my Amazon Wish List, please follow this link.
