This book investigates whether a set of simple, underlying rules governs the behavior of complex systems across the life sciences. Roger Lewin, a veteran science journalist, synthesizes the work of researchers at the Santa Fe Institute to argue that complexity theory provides a unifying framework for understanding biological evolution and ecological systems. He utilizes historical accounts and personal interviews to document the development of this field, positioning it as a bridge between traditional reductionist biology and holistic systems thinking.

Readers frequently note that the prose is accessible to a general audience while maintaining a focus on the intellectual history of the field. Experts highlight this as a useful introductory text for those interested in the conceptual foundations of systems biology and the interdisciplinary nature of the Santa Fe Institute's research.