Synopses & Reviews
Over a century ago, the Social Darwinists appropriated Darwin's name but left most of his theory behind. The Evolution of Everything describes the struggles behind Darwin's theory of evolution and the schemes of those who misapplied it. It also shows why a more nuanced reading of that work—especially the concept of selective pressures—helps us understand many natural, social, and economic processes.
Review
“Mark Sumner is the sort of gifted storyteller that the world of science so desperately needs. With The Evolution of Everything, he demonstrates his ability to find a good evolution story in just about everything. From Happy Day Headache Powders to the girl who originally sold seashells by the seashore, he masterfully connects the details of evolutionary science with just about everything we see in our daily lives.”
—Randy Olson, author, Don’t Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style, and writer/director, Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus
Review
“On this bicentenary of Darwin’s birth, Mark Sumner takes his readers on a fascinating journey through the developments that have led to our modern understanding of evolution. In the process, he reveals the profound ways in which this fundamental concept intersects so many seemingly unrelated strands of our culture, from
the origins of conflict between science and religion, to the seamy history behind eugenics, to the reason our grandparents enjoyed better-tasting bananas.”
—Professor Michael E. Mann, Director of the Earth System Science Center at Penn State University
Synopsis
The Evolution of Everything argues that Darwin's theory of evolution was misapplied and demonstrates its applicaton to modern societies.
About the Author
Mark Sumner has written over three-dozen novels, several ghost-written under other names. He has been a contributing editor for DailyKos.com since 2006. His book, Devil's Tower, was nominated for both the Nebula Award and the World Fantasy Award. He is the author of a series of mystery novels that focus on a tabloid newsroom. These “News from the Edge” books became the basis of the television series, The Chronicle, which ran on the Sci Fi Channel after initially being piloted on NBC. Sumner has written over 50 short stories and many articles. He was the "Games and Gadgets" columnist for Sovereign Media. His articles have been published in The Nation, and he has appeared on NPR and the BBC.