Electric Life: What Sparks the Natural World

Did you know that bees charge themselves like batteries? That frogs float on magnetic fields, and seals use radar? This groundbreaking nonfiction graphic novel explores the vital but often unexpected roles that electricity and magnetism play in the natural world.

Billions of years before the invention of the lightbulb, natural electricity was already shaping our world.

From subatomic particles to the solar system we're all part of, electromagnetic forces have long formed the building blocks of reality as we know it. Yet the full extent of their impact is only just beginning to come to light. Electric Life invites readers on a breathtaking journey into this unseen world, revealing how electricity and magnetism affect not only us humans but also our planet and the universe at large: How does lightning influence communication among fish? Can plant electricity be translated into music? Do the earth and sun charge the moon like a solar battery? Does your heart's magnetic field surround your entire body? Can the electrical properties of microbes be used to heal our bodies, or even reverse environmental damage?


With a fresh perspective and an accessible tone, Electric Life breaks down recent scientific advances and emerging technologies to answer these questions and more. Sander Funneman brings his many years of research to bear to create a cohesive and essentially hopeful look at the interconnectedness of life, complemented by the clarity and humor of Peter Brouwers's spectacular illustrations. Together, they challenge readers to take a closer look at this incredible electrical world we are all part of.