The Vital Question

by Nick Lane · 2015

Nick Lane's book on energy, evolution, and the origins of complex life.

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Nick Lane · Biochemist and author

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Some books matter because the author has done rare work in the real world. We show that separately from who recommended the book.

Nick LaneBiochemist and author

Biochemist and writer focused on evolution, bioenergetics, and the origins of complex life.

Recommended by, documented so far

The Vital Question appears in 1 currently documented source-backed recommendation.

Bill Gates Co-founder, Microsoft; philanthropist

Recommended Gates Notes list via TIME article

Even if the details of Nick's work turn out to be wrong, I suspect his focus on energy will be seen as an important contribution to our understanding of where we come from.

Exact quote verified Recommended article 5 Books Bill Gates Wants You to Read This Summer

We captured the recommendation language from the source.

TIME · 2016-05-17 · accessed 2026-06-20

TIME reports Gates's 2016 Gates Notes summer list and quotes his comments on The Vital Question.

Open source

Recommended · Gates Notes list via TIME · article Source 2016-05-17

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