Gaia by James Lovelock

The book presents a groundbreaking hypothesis that redefines Earth as a self-regulating system, where the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and soil function as a single living organism. This entity, named after the Greek goddess of Earth, maintains the conditions necessary for life through complex interactions among its components. The author, an independent scientist, argues that life on Earth actively shapes the environment for its own survival, challenging traditional views of the relationship between organisms and their habitat. The work has sparked widespread debate and research, influencing fields from biology to environmental science, and has profound implications for our understanding of life on Earth and how we approach environmental stewardship.

The 1895th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 219

Since this book was first published in 1979, there is a penalty of 8.0%. The age adjusted score is 201.48.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.