Table of contents : Contents 1 Prologue 2 Defining Life 3 Biological Information Systems 4 Origin of Life: A Model of Hierarchical Complexity 5 Cosmic Connections 6 The Cradle of Life 7 Bioenergetics and Primitive Metabolism 8 Chemical Stage: The Analog Information System 9 The Lipid Membrane: Encapsulating Life 10 The RNA World: Reality or Dogma? 11 Noncoding RNAs: The Hybrid Information System 12 The First Gene Before DNA: The Digital Revolution 13 A Code Script for Life 14 The Advent of Proteins 15 The Virus World in Deep Time 16 DNA Takes Over 17 First Life 18 The Habitat and Nature of Archean Life 19 Life Beyond Earth 20 Epilogue Index