Faramarz Naeim, professor emeritus at UCLA, is a highly respected scientist and natural storyteller. Here, he blends science and story into a remarkable, curated exploration of the patterns and properties found in nature.

Naeim aims to examine nature’s “perpetual balancing act between order and chaos.” His topics range from the self-organizing properties of cells to the repeating geometric patterns favored by nature; from complex adaptive systems to the dynamic interplay of ecosystems and galaxies.

He has a gift for bringing lofty concepts down to earth without sacrificing their wonder. Those repetitious geometric patterns known to scientists as fractals? Look for them in spider webs, Saturn’s rings, cauliflower and lightning bolts. The alternate pathways in biological systems? They’re akin to the alternate routes offered by WAZE and other GPS traffic apps.

Complex adaptive systems, Naeim writes, are composed of distinct components that perform specialized functions while interacting in unpredictable ways. Together, they produce outcomes far greater than the sum of their parts. Think: ant colonies, financial markets, families.

To explain the “surprising and powerful” nature of exponential growth, Naeim gives readers a choice between a lump sum lottery payout of $100 million and a series of daily cash deposits doubling each day for 31 consecutive days. “[I]f you take a moment to do the math,” he writes, you’ll discover that the latter’s total sum by the end of Day 31 “exceeds one billion dollars!”

Naeim also examines chaos theory, evolution, sex, global warming and more.

Dancing with Chaos renders complex ideas in an accessible style, using lively metaphors throughout. The author likens complex adaptive systems to grassroots social movements, for example, and the immune system’s approach to invaders to a superstore’s vast selection of ready-made suits. In short, readers with even a modicum of curiosity will appreciate Naeim as the science teacher they wish they’d had.

This is a must-read for anyone seeking better understanding of our world and the living things we share it with.

Also available as an ebook.