Synopses & Reviews
A compelling and highly readable explanation of evolution, by the grand old man of evolutionary biology and one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.
At once a spirited defense of Darwinian explanations of biology and an elegant primer on evolution for the general reader, What Evolution Is has several audiences in mind: those scientists and nonscientists who accept evolutionary thinking but do not know exactly how it works, and those who accept evolution but are not sure the Darwinian explanation is correct.
With rare clarity, Mayr poses the questions at the heart of evolution-What is the evidence for evolution on earth? What is the origin and role of organic diversity?-and describes in refreshingly nontechnical language how the search for answers has over the years revealed solutions to the most challenging problems posed by evolutionary theory. In a provocative final section, Mayr considers how our improved understanding of evolution has affected the viewpoints and values of modern man.
Review
"[M]arvelously lucid explanations....The general reader will find no better guide to evolutionary thought." Bryce Christensen, Booklist (starred review)
Review
"No one but Mayr could explain evolution so well, and though the text is peppered with many scientific terms, overall the author is triumphant....[S]tudying the fossil record has rarely been so absorbing." Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
"Mayr presents a primer that spans the field from its earliest notions to the debates that rage around it today....Mayr provides a provocative explanation of the underlying causes of evolutionary change as well as a clear sense for why this theory prevails." Science News
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"An excellent book....[A] glimpse of how a great evolutionist sees the grand and ever-changing scheme of life." Los Angeles Times Book Review
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"[Ernst Mayr is] a writer of extraordinary insight and clarity." Stephen Jay Gould
Review
"[A] clear, comprehensive, and very informative introduction to the theory of evolution....This significant contribution to science will be of enormous value to anyone interested in evolution. Strongly recommended..." Library Journal
Synopsis
What Evolution Is poses the questions at the heart of evolution and describes in nontechnical language how the search for answers has revealed solutions to the most challenging problems posed by evolutionary theory. 60 illustrations.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Pt. I What is Evolution?
1 In What Kind of a World Do We Live? 3
2 What Is the Evidence for Evolution on Earth? 12
3 The Rise of the Living World 40
Pt. II How Are Evolutionary Change and Adaptedness Explained?
4 How and Why Does Evolution Take Place? 73
5 Variational Evolution 83
6 Natural Selection 115
7 Adaptedness and Natural Selection: Anagenesis 147
Pt. III Origin and Evolution of Diversity: Cladogenesis
8 The Units of Diversity: Species 161
9 Speciation 174
10 Macroevolution 188
Pt. IV Human Evolution
11 How Did Mankind Evolve? 233
12 The Frontiers of Evolutionary Biology 265
App. A What Criticisms Have Been Made of Evolutionary Theory? 269
App. B Short Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Evolution 274
Glossary 283
Bibliography 293
Index 304