Includes bibliographical references and index.

The natural world is full of rhythms. How do birds know when to return to their nesting grounds? What effect do the seasons have on our wellbeing, and how does the season in which we are born affect our subsequent life chances? How did humans get the idea that there were seasons 50,000 years ago? Seasons of Life explains why the seasons occur, the impact of seasonal change and how organisms have evolved to anticipate these changes. For although we mask the effects of seasonal changes by warming our homes, lighting our nights, preserving foods and storing water, we cannot hide from them. Review: "'A must-read for anyone who has ever looked up at a migrating skein of geese and wondered "how do they know...?' New Scientist 'The Seasons of Life is a joy to read, and a compelling text on the importance of seasonality in the evolution of life on earth.' Nature 'Fascinating... compelling... there is a profound awe for the subtle rhythms and invisible mechanisms of the natural world, knowledge that may prove vital in the coming years.' PD Smith, Guardian"