Students and the general public are frequently confronted with contradictory and confusing claims about the people, ideas, and artifacts that were essential in the development of the science of evolution. Where can they find accurate and understandable information on these important concepts? Icons of Evolution comprises twenty-four in-depth essays on the most famous ideas, artifacts, people and places of evolutionary biology. Dinosaurs, Neanderthals, Charles Darwin, peppered moths, carbon dating, the fossil record, and more, are explained by some of the most respected scientists, historians, and philosophers of evolution in the world. Icons of Evolution dispels some of the myths and confusion about evolution and answers questions like: BLWhat do all those horse fossils mean? BLWas Archaeopteryx the first bird? BLWhat is a missing link and is it missing? BLDid Peking Man really disappear? BLWhere did the word fossil come from? BLWhat does 'survival of the fittest' really mean? BLWhy does the idea of evolution seem to scare people so much? While written by technical experts, Icons of Evolution uses non-technical language that explains these icons for readers new to the field and for those seeking more depth. Taken together these icons tell a story that is sometimes fascinating, sometimes puzzling, always thought provoking. It is a story billions of years in the making, and one that everyone needs to know.

Celebrating the fascinating study of evolution, the scientists who were instrumental in its spread, and emphasizing its central importance for the study of science, the essays of this reference introduce the subject to students at the high school and undergraduate level. Individual essays describe the work of Charles Darwin, T.H. Huxley, and Gregor Mendel; the expression "survival of the fittest"; the 'icons' of human evolution--Neanderthal, Java, and Peking Man; evolution of the peppered moth and the horse; and the history of dinosaurs. Two essays directly address the motivation behind those who are against the teaching of evolution in the U.S., with discussion of the Scopes Trial and intelligent design. Regal teaches history of science at Kean U., New Jersey. The contributors teach social anthropology, biology, geology and the history of science in the U.S. and Europe. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Packed in these volumes are essays describing the highlights of evolution.Written by a mix of different authors, the text is informative and challenging reading. Further reading is listed at the end of each essay, with a lengthy bibliography at the end of volume 2. Text boxes are found within several articles....This set will be useful in public and academic libraries and in high schools where more information on evolution is needed.Booklist

Students and the general public are frequently confronted with contradictory and confusing claims about the people, ideas, and artifacts that were essential in the development of the science of evolution. Where can they find accurate and understandable information on these important concepts? Icons of Evolution comprises twenty-four in-depth essays on the most famous ideas, artifacts, people and places of evolutionary biology. Dinosaurs, Neanderthals, Charles Darwin, peppered moths, carbon dating, the fossil record, and more, are explained by some of the most respected scientists, historians, and philosophers of evolution in the world.

BRIAN REGAL is a historian who teaches the history of science at Kean University, New Jersey. His work centers on fringe notions, anomalous beliefs, dubious ideas and the people who propagate and study them. He has written on eugenics, racial anthropology, and creationism and their relationship to evolution studies, society and culture.