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A love song to the field of biology written by an Appalachian naturalist and a 50-year practitioner, The Gyroscope of Life will stretch the minds of readers - scientists and nonscientists alike.
Culturally, we tend to simplify challenging concepts by thinking of them as binary systems: life/death, female/male. But what if these concepts are more complex than mere opposites? David Parrish dives beneath the surface of some seemingly straightforward biological topics to provide a fresh look at the world, and the ways in which we imagine it.
While sharing his personal experiences with religion, science, battling illness, and more, Parrish explores a series of unconventional topics such as a biologist's credo, Mother Nature's House Rules, the foolishness of conflicts between science and religion, ritualistic funerary cannibalism, a biological critique of "The Big Bang Theory" theme song, pseudo-copulation of insects with flowers, and the Faustian bargain that agriculture and plant domestication represent. Strewn with metaphors, thought experiments, and a touch of humor, this guide will inspire readers to see life itself in an intriguingly new way.
About the author
David Parrish is proud to have been born and bred in Appalachia, and he counts himself fortunate to have worked and played in those same fascinating hills throughout his professional life. After earning a doctorate in plant science at Cornell, he joined the faculty of Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, where he was recognized with awards for excellence in teaching and advising. Courses he taught include crop science, crop ecology, and environmental science.
Parrish has co-authored a textbook on plant science, more than 50 research articles, and several scientific reviews and book chapters. His research interests spanned plant growth regulation, seed physiology, sustainable cropping systems, and biological sources for renewable energy.
In retirement, Parrish and his wife of more than 50 years remain in the mountains of southwestern Virginia on the 30 acres they call Hole in the Woods. He continues to be an avid gardener and outdoorsman, particularly in chasing catch-and-release smallmouth bass on the New River.
