Synopses & Reviews
This dazzling companion volume to one the most important series in PBS history tells the compelling story of the theory of evolution -- from Darwin to twenty-first-century science.
Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species was breathtaking, beautifully written, staunchly defended, defiantly radical. Yet it emerged long before paleontologists and geologists worked out the chronology of life on Earth, long before biologists uncovered the molecules that underlie heredity and natural selection. Not until the late twentieth century was the true scope of its power revealed.
This remarkable new book, featuring more than 150 color illustrations, presents a rich and up-to-date view of evolution that explores the far-reaching implications of Darwin's theory and emphasizes the power, significance, and relevance of evolution to our lives today. After all, we ourselves are the product of evolution, and we can tackle many of our gravest challenges -- from the lethal resurgence of antibiotic-resistant diseases to the wave of extinctions that looms before us -- with a sound understanding of the science. It can help us see our lives in connection to everything that has come before and to every form of life on Earth today.
Filled with rich narrative, award-winning science writing, and the most up-to-date information on topics ranging from Darwinian medicine and sexual selection to the origins of language, evolutionary psychology, and the controversies surrounding creationism, Evolution tells in riveting detail the story of a remarkable scientific journey, from the emergence to the triumph of an idea.
Review
“[Evolution] is a richly illustrated and lucidly written companion book by Carl Zimmer.” Science Magazine
Synopsis
In this dazzling companion to the most important PBS television series this fall, award-winning journalist Carl Zimmer collaborates with leading scholars to tell the compelling story of the theory of evolution--from Darwin to 21st century science
Darwin's The Origin of Species was breathtaking--beautifully written, staunchly defended, defiantly radical. Yet it emerged long before modern genetics, molecular biology, and contemporary findings in paleontology.
In this remarkable new book, a rich and up-to-date view of evolution is presented that explores the far-reaching implications of Darwin's theory. At a time when controversies surrounding creationism and education are bursting into public consciousness, this book's emphasis on the power, significance, and relevance of evolution will make it a catalyst for public debate. Evolution marks a turning point in the 150-year debate and will be an indispensable asset to any serious reader with an interest in the life sciences, a passion for truth in education, or a concern for the future of the planet.
Synopsis
Zimmer s synthesis of evolution is a valuable introduction to the subject
the text moves smartly along, and Zimmer s expository conciseness is a high point of the text. Popular science that will truly be popular.
About the Author
Carl Zimmer is the author of At the Water's Edge and Parasite Rex. A former senior editor at Discover magazine, his column on evolution appears regularly in Natural History. He also contributes articles to magazines such as National Geographic, Audubon, and Science. He lives in New York City.