These books or links inspired me most in creating the course:
Nick Lane (2016). The vital question.
This book comprehensively and convincingly covers two major themes: the origin of (prokaryotic) life on Earth in deep-sea hydrothermal vents (white smokers), and the origin and importance of eukaryotes (complex life). This book is certainly a good read for lay readers, but it is best to have some prior knowledge.
Nick Lane (2010). Life ascending.
In this book, Nick Lane explores possible explanations for the origins of the 10 major milestones of Earth life: origin of life, DNA, eukaryotic cell, phophosynthesis, sex, movement, vision, warm-bloodedness, consciousness, death.
Manuel Sintubin (2021). Earth science.
How unique is planet Earth, and to what extent do we understand this extraordinary and complex system? Earth is constantly changing and yet it is stable enough to function as a living planet all along. Sintubin goes over interesting parts of Earth’s history and also looks at what future is expected for our planet. Definitely a good read for laymen.
Peter Ward & Donald Brownlee (2003). Rare Earth.
What does a planet need for simple life and complex life to develop on its surface? After a very engaging analysis (geology, biology, astronomy), the authors conclude that simple life is probably quite common in the universe, while complex life as we know it on Earth may be extremely rare (or even entirely unique) in the hundreds of light years around us. Definitely a good read for laymen.
Kevin Peter Hand (2021). Alien oceans.
Hand – himself a NASA researcher of ice moons – goes over the main findings that the study of ice moons in our Solar System has produced so far. He then speculates on possible life forms that could theoretically survive in the oceans of those moons.
Gargaud, Martin, López-García, Montmerle, Pascal (Springer, 2012). Young Sun, Early Earth and the Origins of Life.
Scientific coursebook widely used in university courses such as geology, biology, planetology or astrobiology. Full of in-depth knowledge on the same topics as our ‘Astrobiology in the Solar System’ course. You do need some prior knowledge to read this.