Many modern approaches to computing borrow ideas from biology and physics. This book attempts to present some of the groundbreaking ideas expanding computation away from the traditional von Neumann architectures. The topics are divided into three main themes: adaptive computing, where ideas of evolution and system integration are used in creating robust systems; biochemical computing, where the use of wetware is explored; and the actualization in physics, where architectures that build on atomic interactions are presented. It is a popular science book, and as such seems particularly suitable for armchair reading by someone who already has some background in either science or programming.

The authors interviewed several researchers in the field--all based in the US, and most with an affiliation to MIT or Caltech at one point in their careers; it would have been useful to expand the coverage to include other researchers with a broader perspective. The chapters are titled by the names of the scientists described, which makes for a slightly confusing structure. It may have been more readable if instead the chapters were on the topics being discussed. Biographical details of the selected researchers are presented; most of the researchers seem to have had the advantage of well-educated parents and a freedom to explore different areas of study before settling on the one in which they have made interesting contributions.

The tone of the book is distinctly informal, and this is both its strength as well as its weakness. The authors seem to have decided to avoid detailed algorithms or mathematical expressions, relying instead on cursory descriptions; in this way, they have sacrificed clarity. There are a few references at the end of the book, with the only footnotes being pointers to profiles appearing in the authors’ previous book. This makes it difficult to clarify some of the ideas presented. The authors have eschewed all cross-referencing, even to the point of not numbering figures; this will most likely frustrate readers who want to go further into the topics.

In conclusion, this is an interesting book that introduces readers to a variety of contemporary topics in computing. Since it is introductory in nature, it should be read for a pleasurable and casual understanding of some very interesting, novel developments in computer science.