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3.5
In general I love reading about the smallest processes in biology or physics. I could read an entire book on the inner life of the mitochondria's electron transport chain, and I would be enthralled. I find it pretty exciting when authors want to understand the most in depth mechanisms at work in a each system. I love it even more if the authors take the knowledge they uncover and attempt to apply it to big systems, such as networks, systems biology, etc. The authors of tis book tried to do just that. I am not exactly sure why I didn't love this book. Perhaps, despite my constant critiques of books that are promoting sexy science at the expense of providing a more realistic understanding of the subject at hand, I wanted more sexy science from this book.

At times, even though it examined each phenomenon in great detail, it felt disjointed. I understand the overall theme, but perhaps I needed more hand holding. Even though I was interested in each subject present (I am especially interested in how particles spin, sync, and enter phase transition) the books didn't feel that new or exciting. It could be that I have read too many books that have provided some of the same material.

Regardless of my criticisms, I think the work being done in quantum biology is important. Particularly important is the focus on explaining how the same forces at work in physics are also at work in biological systems. I like the questions the authors raised. Certainly more work needs to be done to understand how action potentials lead to consciousness. Once that is established, there is more work still to be done in understanding the quantum nature of action potentials. The discussion on the hard problem of consciousness was by far my least favorite part of the book. I enjoy reading Andy Clark and the Churchlands' take on consciousness but cannot waste one more minute of life justifying Chalmers unscientific discussions on the subject. Even though these authors were arguing against the type of position Chalmers provides his readers, they went too far in validating it. Overall though, it is great that researchers are attempting to investigate and write about quantum bio. If you are unfamiliar with the field but are curious, it's worth the read.