The Many Lives of James Lovelock

Utterly fascinating - a beautifully braided account of the life of a maverick, prophetic genius. Jonathan Watts has turned Lovelock's greatest idea into literary form, giving us a Gaian biography in which Lovelock's discoveries are understood as always occurring in relation - to people, to places and to the Earth itself -- ROBERT MACFARLANE A superbly written, beautifully balanced insight into one of the most fascinating minds (and lives) of the twentieth century. By carefully and, at times humorously, drawing out the many colours of Lovelock's thought and life story, we get a riveting insight into some of the forces that have shaped our world today. In so doing, the biography becomes a significant contribution to ecological thought in its own right -- MELANIE CHALLENGER Jonathan Watts' meticulously researched episodes of Jim's life combine to reveal the person and luminary. Just as a master portrait records much more than a visual appearance, Jim emerges like a verbal hologram from the text. For those of us who sorely miss him as a friend and colleague, it's a great comfort to know that he lives on in these pages -- PROFESSOR CHRIS RAPLEY, UCL and former Director of the Science Museum) A wonderful book. It captures the friend and mentor I knew. It also taught me a few things I didn't know about him -- TIM LENTON, Professor of Earth System Science at Exeter University Jim Lovelock was always full of surprises - and wow, a few more pop up here! Watts's biography is deeply intimate, but also steps back to reveal how the personal details connect and build into Lovelock's huge influence on science and environmental thinking. A fascinating picture of an astonishing life -- RICHARD BETTS MBE, Chair in Climate Impacts, University of Exeter and Met Office Hadley Centre Praise for When a Billion Chinese Jump: 'A stark warning of the dangers of pollution . . . This book is not simply an indictment of China's development path: it is a lesson for us all in the dangers of how we live * * Guardian * * A fascinating, engaging and beautifully written book. It is a masterpiece -- GEORGE MONBIOT A gripping peregrination and one rich with detail and informed insights. But this is far more than a series of adventure stories. This is also a book packed with information. Watts's research is painstakingly meticulous and crowded with detail. Above all, Watts's book is a damning indictment and a deeply disturbing piece of writing that should be on the reading list of anyone anxious about the future of this planet * * The Times * * Gripping. Watts is perfectly qualified to assemble detail after extraordinary detail, to build a riveting picture of one of human history's most astonishing episodes. But the great virtue of When A Billion Chinese Jump is that voices are as prominent as facts. It is also in their words that Watts gives us an essential insight into why the Chinese growth explosion is likely to be uncontrollable * * Independent * * Jonathan Watts has given us the most comprehensive investigation yet . . . [A] beautifully reported book. If you want to understand the century you're living in, this book is required reading * * Orion Magazine * *