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Synopsis
Darwin's The Origin of Species was breath-taking—beautifully written, staunchly defended, defiantly radical. Yet it emerged long before modern genetics, molecular biology, and contemporary findings in paleontology.
In this remarkable 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 makrs 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.
Scientific American
"In late October 1831 a 90-foot coaster named the HMS Beagle lay docked at Plymouth, England. Its crew scrambled about it like termites in a nest..." Proceeding from the flurry of preparations for Darwin's famous voyage, Carl Zimmer leads us off on a journey of our own, tracking the development--and the implications--of one of the most powerful ideas in the biological sciences. Written as a companion to the WGBH/Nova seven-part television series that aired in late September, the book and the show itself aim to bring the contentious debate about evolution to a wide audience.
"Zimmer, who was an editor at Discover magazine and is the author of At the Water's Edge and Parasite Rex, writes in a gloriously clear and lively style. But don't be misled by the polished prose, the gorgeous illustrations, the elegant design or the book's status as a "companion volume": Zimmer neglects neither underlying biological concepts nor current controversies. His coverage is as thorough as it is graceful. This is as fine a book as one will find on the subject."