"The Vital Question" by Nick Lane examines the central mystery of life: how did complex cells emerge from simple beginnings? Lane takes readers on an enlightening journey through the origins of life, exploring the 4-billion-year-old history of Earth and the vital role of energy in driving evolution.

Delving into the deep-sea vents where the first cells may have formed, Lane unravels the intricate processes that led to the rise of complex life. He discusses the origins of key cellular features, such as the mitochondria, and their crucial contribution to energy production.

Additionally, Lane tackles the delicate relationship between life and Earth's environment, exploring the concept of habitability and the role of iron-sulfur clusters in early life. He also probes the origins of sex and the significance of this reproductive innovation in driving diversity and evolutionary progression.

Furthermore, Lane contemplates the possibility of life beyond Earth and the implications of his research on astrobiology. Drawing on a wide array of scientific disciplines, he sheds light on the defining principles that have shaped life throughout history and their potential consequences for understanding our own existence.

"The Vital Question" offers a captivating exploration of the fundamental factors that have shaped the course of life on Earth, presenting a persuasive argument for the interplay between energy, evolution, and the emergence of complex life forms.