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7 Burnside Biology- Evolution
3 Hawthorne Biology- Evolution

The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time

by Jonathan Weiner

The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time Cover

Awards

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

On a desert island in the heart of the Galapagos archipelago, where Darwin received his first inklings of the theory of evolution, two scientists, Peter and Rosemary Grant, have spent twenty years proving that Darwin did not know the strength of his own theory. For among the finches of Daphne Major, natural selection is neither rare nor slow: it is taking place by the hour, and we can watch.In this dramatic story of groundbreaking scientific research, Jonathan Weiner follows these scientists as they watch Darwin's finches and come up with a new understanding of life itself. The Beak of the Finch is an elegantly written and compelling masterpiece of theory and explication in the tradition of Stephen Jay Gould.

Review:

"[An] engaging narrative of a modern scientific study that will forever change the way that we view evolution....This is a rare book: The Beak of the Finch is at once absorbing science history, deftly crafted popular science treatise and engagingly personal narrative....It has an important story to tell, not only of Darwin's finches and evolution but also of the way that forefront scientific research is carried out." The Los Angeles Times Book Review

Review:

"This book is an extraordinary achievement. It is carefully researched, impeccably crafted, unflinchingly dramatic, yet conscientiously scientific." School Library Journal

Review:

"Evocative writing, exhaustive research, and Weiner's memorable portrait of the engaging Grants assure The Beak of the Finch membership in the select pantheon of science books that spark not just the intellect, but the imagination." Washington Post Book World

Review:

"A brilliant book. It is the best book on life and evolution in many a long year – one of those rare books that permanently alters one's view of nature and even of life and death." Richard Preston, author of The Hot Zone

Synopsis:

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

On a desert island in the heart of the Galapagos archipelago, where Darwin received his first inklings of the theory of evolution, two scientists, Peter and Rosemary Grant, have spent twenty years proving that Darwin did not know the strength of his own theory. For among the finches of Daphne Major, natural selection is neither rare nor slow: it is taking place by the hour, and we can watch.

In this dramatic story of groundbreaking scientific research, Jonathan Weiner follows these scientists as they watch Darwin's finches and come up with a new understanding of life itself. The Beak of the Finch is an elegantly written and compelling masterpiece of theory and explication in the tradition of Stephen Jay Gould.

Description:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [305]-321) and index.

About the Author

Jonathan Weiner, formerly a writer and editor for The Sciences, is the author of Planet Earth and The Next One Hundred Years. He lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with his wife and their two sons.

Product Details

ISBN:
9780679733379
Subtitle:
A Story of Evolution in Our Time
Author:
Weiner, Jonathan
Publisher:
Vintage Books USA
Location:
New York :
Subject:
Evolution
Subject:
Birds & Birdwatching
Subject:
Research
Subject:
South America
Subject:
Finches
Subject:
Finches -- Evolution -- Research -- Galapagos Islands.
Subject:
Life Sciences - Evolution
Subject:
Birds & Birdwatching - General
Subject:
Grant, Peter R.
Subject:
Grant, B. Rosemary
Copyright:
Edition Description:
1st Vintage Books ed.
Series Volume:
no. 95-2
Publication Date:
May 1995
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
352
Dimensions:
7.94x5.30x.74 in. .72 lbs.

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