Symphony in C: Carbon and the Evolution of (Almost) Everything

I enjoyed two of Robert Hazen’s “Great Courses” series so much that I jumped at the chance to read his new book about carbon. On the Courses’ DVD’s, he came across as a nice guy with a brilliant mind and amazing curiosity--one who could make the arcane ways of science understandable. I finished the book, still in awe of how he can explain things and made them relevant to a non-scientist. The book recounts his work as director of the Deep Carbon Observatory and the interesting new things they have learned. He gives credit to a number of his collaborators, giving a brief description of each to turn him/her into a person, rather than a faceless scientist. Hazen organized the book about carbon around the four divisions of ancient philosophy: earth (minerals), air (part of the atmosphere), fire (fuel), and water (fascinating theories about the beginnings of life). He goes into how carbon was created in the universe as the fourth most abundant element; how the mineral in the earth becomes part of plants; plants become food for animals; and dead animals and plants decay, returning carbon to the soil.To explain the place of carbon in our lives, he goes into astronomy, geology, biology, archaeology physics, and chemistry. He gave the clearest explanation I ever saw about how scientists identify the composition of stars!Interesting items: Coal was made in a short time about 300 million years ago, AFTER the time trees and plant life were abundant on land, but BEFORE fungi evolved to decompose the wood. Frozen carbon dioxide (dry ice) can be used in bug control—mosquitoes and bed bugs are attracted to the CO2 and freeze to death. “You can even commission a wearable ‘memorial diamond,’ forged at pressure from carbon atoms collected during a loved one’s cremation.” Hazen explains things I’ve wondered about (like how carbon dating works) and things I never even knew about.The book makes clear the many ways that man interferes with the carbon cycle, and the important steps the Deep Carbon Observatory is investigating to keep our planet safe. I would recommend the book to anyone who is curious about how things work.

humane life in earth should be closely connected with carbon from the beginning

Interesting book! It discusses all the latest scientific theories about (and evidence supporting) a variety of subjects: the "Big Bang" theory of the beginning of the universe, origin and evolution of stars and planets, climate change, formation of the earth and minerals, volcanoes, the atmosphere, and the origin of life on earth.I think, though, that in order to really understand and appreciate this book you already need to know the basics of earth history and possess maybe a bit of high school or college freshman chemistry, biology, and geology. You don't need a college degree in any of these subjects but you probably need to be knowledgeable about them.

This book was a great read by Dr Robert Hazen. He is a leading mineralogist and writer. Think of carbon: in one form the hardest mineral known and the first mineral to form after the Big Bang - diamond; in the other form a super slippery, soft mineral that we use as a solid lubricant. Think of our bodys and how our biochemistry is carbon dominated. Dr Hazen writes of all this and much more in a comprehensive look at the element carbon. I recommend this book not only for any student of chemistry but for any adult with a scientific interest at all. It is written for the layman so do not be afraid you will be lost in some extremely deep chemistry, in other words you do not need a degree in chemistry to understand Symphony in C, just a inherent curiosity.

It's a well written book and you don't have to be a chemist to follow along. I knew carbon was important but I had never realized the vital role it plays in just about everything we do. And the Earth is not just a big rock, but a complex factory continually reprocessing carbon and other elements. Robert Hazen brings together all sorts of facts into one coherent whole.

Well written, kept me fascinated the whole book. Great for integrating geology minerals and life in one, well, symphony of ideas

Superb science writer who makes complicated science understandable to the reader. We live in a carbon world/universe and Professor Hazen the importance of understanding the deep carbon cycle and how we humans and all organisms are governed by it. A book to keep on your shelf - you will want to read it again. Readers should definitely look at the Deep carbon Observatory website for more information.

Dr. Hazen never disappoints his readers. As crazy as it may sound, understanding mineral evolution—and the story of carbon in particular—will literally change your world view. Who knew minerals and elements could be so exciting? I especially recommend this book to those who are skeptical about reading a science-based book. You will not be disappointed. Another great book by Dr. Hazen is The Story of Earth. It’s a great way to get to know your planet.—Doreen Potter

The book can be read even by people with no prior exposure to science. Not a heavy read.

this is a good book filed with interesting knowledge and information. Its describes about stellar formation, elemental creation in stars, use of various elements by various microorganisms including using uranium. but some parts of the book is filed with minerology which is just boring as its just filled with information of numerous organic gems and crystals

Dass Carbon (Kohlenstoff) nicht nur unser Leben auf unserem Planeten Erde sondern auch das Klima bestimmt, war mir nicht in diesem Maße bewusst. Ein echter Augenöffner!The importance of Carbon for our life and climate was not really present in my consciousness. A real eye opener!