At a time when the survival of our species and the rest of the living world is intricately linked, more than ever, to our understanding of science, the great biologist E. O. Wilson has gathered in this book the essence of sixty years of research and teaching to offer it to students, both young and old.

Throughout his legendary career, Wilson has gained a deep understanding, or rather, a philosophy of what is required for a successful scientific career. In the book, he shares not only his practical advice on how the new generation can succeed, but also why it is so vital for them to do so. Wilson insists that success in science does not depend on mathematical skills or high IQ, but on the passion to identify a problem and solve it.

In a broader context, he advocates for a synthesis of the sciences and the humanities in the 21st century, a synthesis that will inspire generations of young people and encourage their innate creativity to tackle problems that previous generations have lamentably ignored.

Sometimes describing the collapse of stars and other times exploring tropical rainforests, Wilson ultimately instills in his readers a love for the vast wonders of science and a steadfast admiration for the rightful place of the human being in the planet's ecosystem.