The Physics of Life: The Evolution of Everything

To live or not to live, that is not even a question.

So begins the new book penned by Adrian Bejan, the J.A. Jones Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Duke University. Titled "The Physics of Life: The Evolution of Everything," the book arrives on shelves on May 24, 2016. And while the question of living is not up for debate, the question that Bejan does answer in the book is simply, "What is life, as physics?"

In his new book, Bejan breaks down the driving forces behind the movement and flow of everything in nature. This seems like a beefy topic to take on, but Bejan is able to break down every day patterns and familiar concepts while he eloquently explains how we are all connected. From life span and population growth to air traffic and government expansion, evolution is everywhere, and the same principles of physics can be applied to all things.

Bejan is the developer of the constructal law of physics, on which the book is based, which breaks down the patterns of design and evolution in nature that is explained in "The Physics of Life" along with other concepts for the curious and academic alike such as:

• How every natural entity has freedom to change
• How the evolution of technology is no different than animal evolution
• Why the world is not running out of energy and water
• How life unites the inanimate realm with the animate realm
• The sharp proportionality between fuel consumption and “wealth”
• All evolution is mandatory

One of the physical aspects that Bejan touches upon is that all things in nature search for power. Not only animals and humans, but even inanimate objects need more power. Power could mean different things depending on the circumstance, but it is power that encompasses everything in nature’s needs.

"A revolutionary new way to understand the world around us—from the natural sphere to the human body to political and cultural institutions—based on author Bejan's unique insights into the science of physics," said New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver.

Bejan is one of the world's leading academics on energy science (thermodynamics). He has achieved this status through a relentless and highly influential stream of creative work and doctoral student advising at Duke and all over the world. He has written leading books on thermal sciences for graduate-level education in English worldwide. He also has a strong and permanent following in the U.S. and abroad, making him a global professor, and speaks several languages. His global influence is confirmed by his 17 honorary doctorates from universities in 11 countries, and he has given two TED lectures.