"This is an entirely original book that challenges the deep-seated assumption that Jews until recently had no interest in nature. It offers eight compelling biographies of Jewish naturalists who made important scientific contributions to the systematic study of life forms and the environment." —Robert Jütte, author of The Jewish Body: A History

"A magnificent work of natural history in its truest sense. It reveals flora, fauna, landscapes, and the Jewish relationship to them with deep wisdom and wit. Here you'll find everything from the snark of Fran Lebowitz to the courage of, my favorite, mosquito expert Andrew Spielman. Greenberg manages to do it all with both style and rigor. Vivid, warm, and authoritative, To Life is a celebration you should join." —Michael D'Antonio, coauthor of Mosquito: The Story of Man’s Deadliest Foe

"To Life is groundbreaking—a highly original, exhaustively researched and referenced scholarly work of major importance across several disciplines. But this is no dry treatise. Joel Greenberg’s writing is so beautifully compelling that his subjects come alive on the page, and anyone can read the book for sheer fascination and enjoyment." —Kenn Kaufman, author of The Birds that Audubon Missed