Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller

Book Summary

Lulu Miller has written the book "Why Fish Don't Exist" as a biography based on the life of David Starr Jordan, a renowned biologist. Miller has crafted her philosophical work not only to narrate Jordan's life but also as a guide for humanity, blending memory and science in her writing. Jordan, as an influential figure in the field of biology, played an undeniable role in the discovery of fish that inhabit the oceans.

However, despite his numerous efforts, he faced significant challenges along the way; for instance, an earthquake in San Francisco in 1906 nearly destroyed a substantial number of specimens in his collection. Nevertheless, Jordan did not lose hope and retraced his steps, ultimately finding innovative paths through his persistence and effort that he believed could bring peace to the world.

As a reader, like the author, you may feel that Jordan's envisioned approach might lead him to take strange actions, but as you delve into the pages, you will realize how inspiring his way of thinking and acting in the face of issues like loss and heartbreak can be for humanity. Ultimately, you are about to read a book that will assist you during difficult days and trying moments.

About the Author

Lulu Miller is an American writer and broadcaster born in the United States who is also engaged in journalism. Miller's writings have been published in reputable publications and media such as Catapult, The New Yorker, and Electric Literature, and she has won a Peabody Award.

Who Should Read the Book?

This book is recommended for individuals who are facing numerous concerns amidst the hustle and bustle of life and wish to solve issues while maintaining their composure.

Book Quotes

Imagine the person you love the most. Picture them sitting on the couch, having breakfast, and ranting about a completely fascinating topic, for example, how much they dislike it when people only write the first letter of their name at the end of their emails, instead of pressing a few more buttons to finish the job properly. Their chaos consumes them.
The chaos engulfs them from the outside, with a branch falling from a tree, a speeding car, or a bullet shattering, or it disintegrates them from within, with the rebellion of their own body’s cells. Chaos rots your plants and kills your pets and rusts your bicycle. It shatters your dearest memories, devastates your favorite cities, and destroys every refuge you’ve built in your lifetime.
One day, this will happen. Chaos is the only certainty in this world. The master who rules over us all. My scientist father taught me early on that there is no escape from the second law of thermodynamics. Entropy only increases, and no matter what we do, we can never decrease it.
A wise person accepts this truth. A wise person does not try to fight it. But one spring day in 1906, a tall American man with a scruffy mustache dared to rise against our master. His name is David Starr Jordan, and in many ways, his job was to battle chaos. He was a taxonomist, one of those scientists whose duty is to unveil the branching map of life that supposedly shows how all plants and animals are interconnected.



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  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 6, 2021
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 255 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501160346
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501160349
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.64 x 8 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #13,417 in Books

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