Die besten 53 Bücher zu Life Sciences

The Selfish Gene is a landmark 1976 work in the field of biology: It puts the gene at the center of the process of evolution and explains how, when this is taken into account, genes must be seen as “selfish.” Author Richard Dawkins then uses this theory of gene selfishness to explain the massive variety of animal behavior observable on Earth.

• ‘Everyone interested in the universe and their place in it.’
• Any student of biology or anyone with an interest in biology

Genome (2006, second edition) takes you on an exciting journey into your own body, exploring the genetic building blocks that make up not only who you are but also all life on earth. You’ll examine the basics of genetics and discover what genes influence, from aging to illness to even your own personality. Importantly, you’ll better understand why the future of healthcare and wellness may be found in the human genome.

• Students of biology or genetics
• People curious about biological determinism vs. societal determinism
• Anyone wondering how exactly genes work

Oxygen (2002) is a guide to the element that is so essential to our very existence that we sometimes forget it even exists. These blinks explain how oxygen enables and boosts life on earth while simultaneously threatening it.

• Anybody fascinated by the evolution of life on Earth
• Anyone interested in biology, chemistry or physics

Inheritance (2014) is proof that you don’t need to be a scientist to understand the importance of your genetics. These blinks explain how your DNA affects your everyday life, from how you look and what you eat to how susceptible you are to things like anxiety and disease. So arm yourself with knowledge, and discover more about the genes that make you who you are.

• People interested in medicine and biology
• Readers worried about what genes they inherited
• Anyone in search of the perfect diet

The Blank Slate (2002) is about the huge role that evolution and genetics play in making us who we are. Steven Pinker makes a strong case against the belief that everyone is born a blank slate and influenced only by their upbringing, arguing instead that biology is a far more important factor in shaping our behaviors and personalities.

• Students of psychology, biology, and philosophy
• Teachers and parents
• Readers eager to understand human nature

A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived (2016) tells the story of humanity through genetics. These blinks explain how humans evolved, the role that genes played – and continue to play – in our development, and the ways in which our genetic past can shine a light on the present.

• Historians, archaeologists, geneticists and biologists
• Anyone interested in the history and biology of human life
• Students fascinated by evolution, genes and DNA

The Moral Animal (1994) delves into the fascinating – and occasionally controversial – field of evolutionary psychology to ask what really motivates human behavior. Drawing on the work of Darwin as well as a wealth of anthropological sources, Robert Wright sheds new light on a range of familiar everyday situations in the animal kingdom and our own societies.

• Psychologists and keen observers of human behavior
• Biologists and other natural scientists
• Anyone fascinated by the evolution of our species

She Has Her Mother’s Laugh (2018) probes the contemporary understanding of genetics and heredity, and provides an accessible history of the subject from the time of the Ancient Greeks onwards. Author Carl Zimmer also looks to the future, forecasting genetic developments on the horizon and unpacking what they might mean for humanity.

• Science enthusiasts who want to round out their understanding of genetics and DNA
• History buffs who enjoy reading about science and medicine
• Amateur genealogists with an interest in getting to the roots of their family trees

The Body: A Guide for Occupants (2019) is an entertaining and fact-filled account of how we all work. With his trademark wit, Bill Bryson explains the astonishing ways in which our bodies are put together, and what goes on inside them.

• Popular science fans
• Biology and medicine enthusiasts
• Anyone keen to learn more about their own body

Underbug (2018) explores the fascinating world of a bug so unloved it might just beat cockroaches in an unpopularity contest – the termite. The result of years of research and interviews with biologists, entomologists, and geneticists, Lisa Margonelli’s study sets out to rescue the reputation of this underappreciated creature. Along the way she explores termites’ remarkable architectural powers, unpacks their strange relationship with a 250 million-year-old fungus, and shows how the microbes in their guts might just help us create a more sustainable future. 

• Scientists  
• Nature-lovers 
• Amateur entomologists

The Book of Eels (2020) takes the reader on a zoological odyssey spanning thousands of years. It’s the story of the eel – a creature that has enthralled humanity with its strange and complex life cycle. Countless scientists have dedicated their careers to the enigma of this fish, which has evolved to undergo several metamorphoses over the course of its life and to endure a grueling migration across the Atlantic to breed. But the eel has proven to be an elusive creature, and there are still many secrets about its life that it seems intent on keeping to itself.

• Nature lovers who are fascinated by strange stories from the great outdoors
• Fans of mysteries that stubbornly resist explanation 
• Environmentalists concerned about humans’ effect on the future of the eel

Grand Transitions (2020) offers a sweeping overview of global transitions, from population growth to environmental changes. It examines the ways that we’ve shaped the world, for better or worse, and looks at the challenges facing humanity in the decades to come.

• People who want to understand world history, and how we got where we are today
• Environmentalists, and anyone interested in the state of the planet
• Realists looking for a future forecast based on facts

Some Assembly Required (2020) is an approachable account of the great transformations in the history of life. Paleontologist Neil Shubin started his career looking to fossils for the answers to life’s greatest questions – but with recent scientific advancements, he argues that studying DNA reveals more about the journey we took to become human.

• People interested in the history of evolution
• Science enthusiasts
• Anyone who loves an amazing factoid

Extra Life (2021) looks at some of the breakthroughs that allowed the global human life expectancy to double in just one hundred years. From seat belts to explosives, from Ireland to Constantinople, it’s an account as gripping as it is wide-ranging.

• History buffs interested in lesser-known tales from times past 
• Medical nerds fascinated by the history of human health
• Humanitarians who want to learn from past progress

The Science and Technology of Growing Young (2021) reveals that the Longevity Revolution is just around the corner. Thanks to developments in AI, quantum computing, and genome sequencing, we’re able to engage in genetic engineering, manufacture new body parts, and treat diseases before they’ve even begun to affect us. These developments will soon allow us to live longer and healthier lives than we ever thought possible.

• Tech geeks curious about how AI has impacted health care
• Middle-aged people wanting to reverse the effects of aging
• People who want to find out how to optimize their health to live longer, fuller lives

The Extended Mind (2021) is an exploration of the power of thinking outside the confines of your brain. It shows that the path to greater intelligence is not locked within your skull. Rather, it's a path through your body, your environment and your relationships with others. 

• People interested in the interaction of the body, brain and environment
• Anyone interested in designing better spaces for creativity and teamwork
• Anyone who’d like to optimize their working and learning relationships

The Epigenetics Revolution (2011) is an overview of the cutting-edge field of epigenetics – looking at the various factors that interact with your genes and modify the way they behave in order to make you, you. From mental health to obesity, it examines the fascinating and often unexpected ways that epigenetics can influence our lives and health.

• Science enthusiasts interested in biology’s new frontiers
• Dinner-party sages looking to wow friends with fascinating scientific wisdom
• Amateur psychologists open to an epigenetic interpretation of trauma

The Emerald Planet (2007) looks at the central role plants have played in shaping the planet and its environment. New research makes use of plants, both fossilized and living, to explain how the planet got where it is, and where it might go in the future. The Emerald Planet inspired a three-part BBC series called How to Grow a Planet.

• Anyone interested in plant biology and paleobotany
• People who want to learn more about ancient mass extinctions
• Evolutionary science enthusiasts

What is Life? (1944) is a classic scientific text based on a series of lectures given at Trinity College, Dublin, by famous physicist Erwin Schrödinger. Though Schrödinger was a physicist, these lectures addressed issues in biology and genetics –⁠ primarily the fundamental question of how physics and chemistry can account for the processes that occur within living organisms. The concepts he explored went on to spark a revolution in genetics, inspiring, among others, the biologists James D. Watson and Francis Crick, who together proposed the double helix structure of DNA.

• Science geeks
• Big-picture thinkers, ponderers, and questioners
• Anyone who loves getting to the bottom of how the universe works

Finding the Mother Tree (2021) is a vivid blend of science and memoir that describes the breathtaking personal and professional journey of renowned ecologist Suzanne Simard. It unearths the strange and surprising secrets buried deep in the forests of British Columbia –⁠ and, in the process, forever alters our understanding of the natural world. 

• Lovers of the natural world
• Fans of memoir and biography
• Anyone yearning to escape the city for the wilderness

Our Wild Calling (2020) examines how humans and other animals can enjoy mutually beneficial relationships. It explores stories and philosophy from the ecological movement, and outlines how we can move toward a more hopeful future for all Earthlings. 

• Nature lovers looking for inspiration
• Office dwellers seeking ways to reconnect with nature
• Anyone looking for direct ways to respond to global climate change

Vaxxers (2021) follows the race to develop a functional vaccine to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Professor Sarah Gilbert and Dr. Catherine Green, of the University of Oxford, deliver captivating and informative insight into the process of designing, testing, and manufacturing the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in record time. They recount exciting moments of innovation, as well as the hurdles faced along the way.

• Anyone fascinated by vaccine development
• Public health enthusiasts 
• Futurists looking to prepare for the next big pandemic

Why We Eat (Too Much) (2021) illuminates the new science of metabolism. An exploration of how our bodies process the calories we eat into the fuel that keeps our cells running, it demolishes old myths about the value of dieting. When we really understand appetite, it argues, we can finally begin eating healthfully rather than attempting to starve our bodies into submission. 

• Frustrated dieters 
• Science lovers 
• Sugar addicts

Stem Cells (2021) provides an introduction to stem cells – how they’re used by scientists, the therapies that exist today, and what the near future holds. It focuses on the medical and scientific consideration of stem cells and only briefly considers ethical, political, and legal aspects. This “very short introduction” is part of a series of over 650 short introductions covering myriad subjects in every discipline.

• Biology buffs
• Stem cell therapy skeptics and miracle-cure seekers
• Politicians and businesspeople interested in the future of stem cell applications

The Dharma in DNA (2022) explores the intersections between Buddhist philosophy and biology. At first glance, these two traditions couldn’t be more different. One is spiritual; the other empirical. But there are overlaps. Both traditions are attempts to discover meaning, for one. But there’s more to it than that: both the teachings of the Buddha and the findings of biologists appear to converge on a similar understanding of what it means to be human.

• Open-minded rationalists and skeptics
• Thinkers who love big ideas
• Spiritualists interested in science

Evolve Your Brain (2007) dives deep into the human brain and its structures. It demonstrates the power of neuroplasticity to change thinking, behavior, and biology.

• Curious minds who are, well, curious about their minds
• Self-help fans seeking brain-based advice on achieving their goals
• Anyone with a brain wondering why it didn’t come with an owner’s manual

You Can Fix Your Brain (2018) is a step-by-step guide to improving cognitive function and overall brain health. Through dietary choices, environmental adjustments, and other health practices, you can reduce brain fog, enhance your memory, and increase your mental clarity.

• People who are experiencing brain fog or are having trouble concentrating
• Those who wish to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia
• Anyone who wants to feel sharper and improve their mental function

The Mind-Gut Connection (2016) explores the complex relationship between the gut and brain, highlighting the crucial role this connection plays in both physical and mental health. The book delves into key insights, such as the brain-gut axis, the impact of stress on gut health, and the connection between food and mental well-being, emphasizing the need for holistic care to improve overall health.

• Anyone interested in dietary lifestyles
• People struggling with emotional and mental health issues
• Those curious about how the body works

The Evolution of Desire (1994) drew on the largest study of human mating at the time to analyze the evolutionary foundations that lie behind our everyday desires and mating preferences. It was updated with new material in 2016.

• Psychology nerds
• Individuals looking to attract a mate
• Anyone curious about how our deepest desires work

A Thousand Brains (2021) explores the fundamental nature of intelligence. It poses the theory that the brain is a collection of thousands of mini-brains, each generating and refining their own predictions. It also delves into the implications of this theory for artificial intelligence and our understanding of consciousness.

• Fans of neuroscience who are interested in the latest research
• Anyone curious about how humans think and learn
• Those ready for an in-depth guide to one of life’s great mysteries

Guns, Germs, and Steel (1997) is a short history of humanity over the last 13,000 years. The question it poses is as simple to state as it is hard to answer: Why did some parts of the world develop advanced technologies while others didn’t? It rejects explanations that rely on assumptions about the relative intelligence of different peoples. Instead, it argues that the divergence of human societies is best explained by natural factors such as climate, biology, and geology. 

• History buffs
• Scientists
• Anyone interested in the big picture of humanity’s development

The Coming Wave (2023) is a wake-up call. Artificial intelligence and genetic engineering aren’t just technologies of the future; they’re already here, and remaking the world we live in. More than any transformative technology of the past, they have the ability to make the next decades the best in human history – or the worst. Which path our societies go down is up to us and our ability to think clearly about the risks and rewards ahead of us. 

• Those interested in AI ethics and impacts
• Technologists and entrepreneurs
• Policymakers and regulators

Superforecasting (2015) delves into the art and science of predicting the future, highlighting how most individuals, even experts, often falter in their forecasting abilities. Through captivating stories of successes and failures, as well as interviews with high-profile decision-makers, it unveils the secrets behind effective forecasting: a combination of evidence-based thinking, probabilistic reasoning, accountability, and adaptability.

• Aspiring decision-makers seeking insight into forecasting techniques
• Science enthusiasts interested in probability and prediction
• Amateur forecasters and wannabe superforecasters looking to hone their skills

Free Agents (2023) makes the case that we do have free will and are not just machines responding to physics. Tracing the evolutionary history of purposeful decision-making back billions of years, the book explores abilities like imagination, introspection, and causal reasoning that developed over time to allow us to predict outcomes, shape our futures based on our sense of identity, and exercise individual and collective agency over our lives. 

• Philosophers and thinkers
• Science enthusiasts
• Anyone interested in the question free will 

All Creatures Great and Small (1972) is a semi-autobiographical chronicle of the life and adventures of young veterinarian James Herriot during the 1930s and ’40s. Blending humor, warmth, and vivid storytelling, it beautifully captures the challenges and joys of veterinary practice in rural England. Ultimately, it offers a delightful and heartfelt portrayal of the bond between humans and animals as well as the enduring spirit of community.

• Veterinarians and veterinary students
• Animal lovers and nature enthusiasts
• Anyone interested in a cozy, nostalgic story

Eve (2023) is a witty corrective to human evolution, spanning 200 million years of biology. Asking why science overlooked key questions about female bodies, it upends male-centric assumptions about how our species evolved. Ranging from wet nurses to C-sections, these musings will change what you think you know about evolution.

• Readers interested in evolutionary biology and the history of the female body
• Feminists seeking greater scientific understanding of human evolution
• Students and academics studying gender, reproduction, and human development

Quantum Body (2023) presents a groundbreaking exploration of health and well-being, delving into the intricate relationship between quantum science and our physical existence. It introduces the concept of the quantum body, an infinite, subatomic entity that profoundly influences your physical and mental state and health, yet frequently goes unrecognized.

• Health enthusiasts interested in quantum science
• Anyone exploring nontraditional health approaches
• Fans of Deepak Chopra's work

The Maniac (2023) traces Hungarian polymath John von Neumann’s singular legacy on the dreams and nightmares of the twentieth century and our current age of artificial intelligence. A foray that spans the nuclear age and showcases the brilliant minds who helped define it.

• Technology enthusiasts interested in the impact it has on humanity
• Those fascinated by mathematicians and scientists who transformed scientific thinking
• Seekers of answers to moral questions surrounding innovation and discovery

Gut Check (2023) explores the critical role that our gut bacteria play in determining our overall health. It argues that nurturing a healthy microbiome can lead to a longer, more vibrant life, against the backdrop of conventional dietary beliefs.

• Health enthusiasts
• Longevity seekers
• Diet skeptics

Invincible (2026) argues that aging and disease are not inevitable, and that understanding your unique biology is the key to a longer, healthier life. It offers practical steps to reverse biological aging, prevent metabolic decline, and recapture vitality at any age.

• Middle-aged people looking to reverse aging before decline takes hold
• People with chronic illnesses wanting to halt and reverse symptoms
• Fitness fans who use precision data to optimize workouts

The Light Eaters (2024) explores the astonishing capabilities of plants, examining how plants communicate, recognize kin, adapt their form, and respond to stimulus. By highlighting current research and debates in botany, it challenges our understanding of plants and their roles in the ecosystem, urging us to reconsider humanity’s relationship with the natural world. 

• Curious people interested in biology, ecology, or questions on the nature of intelligence
• The eco-conscious who need a break from bad news
• Anyone obsessed with their house plants or garden

Purpose (2024) presents a provocative exploration of human evolution, challenging the notion that life is devoid of inherent meaning. By integrating insights from various scientific disciplines, it argues that there is a universal purpose rooted in the dualities of being human and our ability to exercise free will, suggesting a profound connection between our biological nature and the existence of a higher purpose.

• Individuals interested in the intersection of science and spirituality
• Readers seeking a deeper understanding of human evolution and its implications
• Professionals and students in psychology, psychiatry, and evolutionary biology

Every Living Thing (2024) explores the bitter rivalry between Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis de Buffon to catalog every living thing, a competition that gave birth to modern biological science while also planting the seeds of scientific racism. It reveals how historical accidents and political forces ensured that the wrong man’s ideas triumphed, leaving us with Linnaeus’s rigid classification system even though Buffon was right about evolution, extinction, and the interconnected nature of life.

• Science fans who enjoy discovering how scientific knowledge developed through human rivalry and error
• History buffs who appreciate colorful characters and surprising connections to modern issues
• Anyone curious about how political forces shape the scientific ideas that survive

Autism (1989) presents pioneering theories on how individuals with autism perceive and process information, revolutionizing our understanding of the autism spectrum and paving the way for more effective support and intervention strategies. 

• Parents, family members, coworkers, or friends of individuals with autism curious to understand more
• Employers or managers interested in neurodiversity in the workplace
• Anyone curious about  psychology or cognitive neuroscience

Why We Die (2024) explores the science of longevity, as well as some ethical implications. Is it possible to extend our life spans – or even live forever? And if we could, are we really sure we’d want to?

• Those interested in the science of longevity
• People who are skeptical about the anti-aging industry
• Anyone currently contemplating their mortality

Geography of Time (1997) takes you on a fascinating journey across cultures, revealing how different societies perceive and experience time – whether it’s the fast-walking streets of New York or the laid-back rhythms of rural Brazil. It uncovers the hidden forces shaping our daily lives and may just change the way you think about time itself.

• Cultural explorers
• Business professionals and travelers
• History and sociology buffs

The Gut-Brain Paradox (2025) explores how the gut microbiome profoundly influences mental clarity, emotional balance, and neurological health. It explains how modern diets and environmental factors disrupt this gut-brain connection – and how restoring microbial balance can reverse symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

• Health-conscious adults seeking natural brain support
• Nutrition-focused biohackers exploring gut microbiome science
• Anyone interested in mind-body connections

The Stronger Sex (2025) dismantles the long-held myth of the “weaker sex” by redefining what it truly means to be strong. It takes you on a journey through the science of female biology, revealing the hidden superpowers in everything from your immune system to your metabolism. Prepare to see the female body not as a collection of limitations, but as a marvel of resilience, durability, and power.

• Athletes and coaches seeking a new performance edge
• Health enthusiasts interested in the science of the female body
• Anyone questioning traditional ideas about physical strength and gender

Stronger (2025) challenges outdated biases against muscle and strength training by highlighting the crucial role of muscles in our health and wellbeing. Through fascinating stories from history to modern research, it reveals how everyone – regardless of age, gender and ability – can benefit from strength training. 

• Fitness beginners who want to understand the health benefits of strength training
• History and science readers who enjoy historical stories blended with modern research and practical application
• Anyone seeking evidence-based approaches to maintaining independence in old age

Nightmare Obscura (2025) explores the science of dreaming and why nightmares happen, drawing on research into how sleep shapes memory, emotion, and learning. It explains emerging approaches to “dream engineering” and lucid dreaming, and shows how understanding your dream life can help you reduce distressing dreams and improve sleep.

• Dream-science enthusiasts exploring nightmares and REM
• Practical lucid-dreaming learners seeking stress-relief tools
• Sleep-troubled people wanting clearer, calmer nights

The Invincible Brain (2026) reveals how your daily habits play a vital role in shaping your memory, focus, and long-term brain health – right down to the level of your cells. It explains what you can start doing today to help your brain grow stronger, sharper, and more resilient, no matter how old you are.

• People who worry about memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease
• Anyone interested in staying mentally sharp and protecting their brain as they age
• Individuals dealing with brain fog, stress, or attention challenges

The Art Cure (2026) draws on decades of scientific evidence across neuroscience, immunology, psychology, and epidemiology to make the radical argument that engaging with art, in all its forms, is one of the most powerful things humans can do for their health. Drawing on studies that consider the art-health connection, from the way songs shape the developing infant brain to the measurable effects of concert-going on longevity, this is an invitation to rethink art as a prescription and not a luxury.

• People with chronic illness interested in art’s pain-relieving properties
• People with mental health conditions who want to improve cognition through art
• Anyone interested in living better and longer, by engaging with the arts

An Introduction to Systems Biology by Uri Alon offers a comprehensive overview of the principles and concepts underlying the field of systems biology. It delves into the complex interactions and networks within biological systems, providing a clear and insightful exploration of this rapidly evolving discipline. Through accessible language and real-world examples, the book aims to deepen our understanding of living organisms and inspire new ways of approaching biological research.

• Students and researchers in biology, bioinformatics, or related fields

• Professionals in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry

• Anyone curious about the complex interactions within living organisms