Infinite Life

by Jules Howard
Infinite Life cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
Technical:
  • ID: 294
  • Added: 2025-09-07
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781639367757
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2024-09-03
  • Formats: 20
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99 Hardback • £20.00

Infinite Life offers a passionate and authoritative exploration of eggs, the foundational structure behind ninety percent of Earth's organisms, yet often neglected in evolutionary discussions. Jules Howard highlights how eggs, from their earliest forms to fossilized remains, illuminate the history of life, natural selection, and the survival strategies of countless species. The book takes readers on a chronological journey through geological eras, revealing how adaptations in eggs contributed to the success or failure of organisms. Howard raises intriguing questions about reproduction and evolution, providing fresh perspectives on biodiversity and the evolutionary processes shaping life on Earth. This work blends zoology, paleontology, and evolutionary biology to shed light on the profound impact of egg science on our understanding of life.

Reviews
NetGalley UK · 2025-09-07
engaging 4.00

The book is appreciated for its unique focus on eggs, providing a fresh and engaging perspective that feels almost destined for readers interested in natural history.

Readers on NetGalley UK express enthusiasm for the book's thematic focus on eggs, which they find to be an intriguing and fresh approach to exploring life and evolution. The book resonates strongly with natural history fans, who feel a personal connection to the subject matter and praise it as a compelling and well-chosen topic. Though the reviews are user-generated and vary, the general tone reflects a positive reception and an appreciation for the originality of the book’s narrative angle.

Quick quotes

    The very first book I chose—and fervently hoped to receive—was Infinite Life by Jules Howard.

    It felt like fate: a book centered on eggs, the very foundation of animal life.

    A fascinating exploration that deepens appreciation for the humble egg.

Geographical · Katie Burton · 2024-07-08
insightful 4.50

The book presents eggs as crucial, often overlooked drivers of evolutionary success and failure, weaving a lyrical narrative through geological eras with new evolutionary theories.

Katie Burton appreciates how the book uses the egg as a lens to explore evolution, moving beyond a simple chronological retelling. She highlights that Jules Howard reveals eggs as vital agents of change, supporting this with both established and new evolutionary theories, and praises the dynamic and poetic style of the narrative. The review underscores the book's ability to transform the reader's perception of eggs from simple biological units to complex adaptive entities, emphasizing their critical role in evolutionary history and the challenges they face adapting to rapid environmental change.

Quick quotes

    Howard centres eggs in his telling, revealing that across many times and places, adaptations and changes to eggs are at least part of the reason for the very success (or failure) or certain organisms.

    It is a fascinating journey, told lyrically and employing all the different ways of saying ‘egg’ the author could presumably think of.

    The egg is a beautiful thing, far from simple and far from static.

Steven Allain · Steven Allain · 2024-06-07
compelling 4.25

The book offers a compelling and thorough evolutionary narrative centered on eggs, tracing their role from Earth's earliest history with clarity and depth.

Steven Allain praises Jules Howard’s ability to weave a detailed and captivating evolutionary story focused on the egg, starting from the Hadean Eon and moving through major geological periods. The review highlights the book’s educational value and its success in making complex scientific topics accessible and interesting. Allain recommends the book especially to those fascinated by evolution, zoology, and animal physiology, noting the author's skill in bringing the subject to life with vivid descriptions and thoughtful insights.

Quick quotes

    It is this story that Jules tackles in Infinite Life, starting at the Hadean Eon (during Earth's earliest history), through the Ediacaran Era.

    If you're interested in evolution, zoology or animal physiology then I would recommend you give Infinite Life a read.

    A mind-bending journey from the churning coastlines of the Cambrian Period and beyond.

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