Darwin's Universe: Evolution from A to Z [Hardcover]

Richard Milner (Author), Ian Tattersall (Preface), Stephen Jay Gould (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520243765 | ISBN-13: 978-0520243767 | Publication Date: July 6, 2009 | Edition: 1

This alphabetically arranged reference, an immensely entertaining browser's delight, offers a dazzling overview of the life and thought of Charles Darwin and his incredibly wide sphere of influence. Authoritative and abundantly illustrated, it illuminates the ways in which ideas of evolutionary biology have leapt the boundaries of science to influence philosophy, law, religion, literature, cinema, art, and popular culture. Darwin's Universe, a thoroughly revised and updated successor to Richard Milner's acclaimed Encyclopedia of Evolution, contains more than a hundred new essays, including entries on animal behavior (Alex the parrot, Kanzi the bonobo, Digit the gorilla), on women in science (Mary Anning, Rosalind Franklin), and on the latest finds of human fossils. A veritable museum of natural history, it also contains many original discoveries brought to light by Milner's historical sleuthing. Packed with hundreds of rare illustrations, including many new ones, this Darwin Bicentennial edition will appeal to a wide audience of readers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"All things Darwin, authoritative, amusing, abundantly illustrated, including some rare finds."--Scientific American

"A browsers delight. . . . Offers an immensely entertaining overview of the history of natural science."--The Lasy (uk)

"A browsers delight. . . . Offers an immensely entertaining overview of the history of natural science."--The Lady (Uk)

From the Inside Flap

"Darwin's Universe is the single best volume ever published that covers all matters Darwinian from A to Z. I have never so enjoyed a scientific book, plucking out gems of elegant narrative richly supported by photographs and paintings from the history of evolutionary thought. A magnificent product of scholarship that is also a work of art."--Michael Shermer, author of In Darwin's Shadow and Why Darwin Matters

"This is no staid, humorless encyclopedia of natural history and evolution; rather, it is a joyous romp through a world inhabited by as eccentric and absorbing a cast of characters as was ever brought together between endpapers."--From the preface by Ian Tattersall, author of The Monkey in the Mirror and The Fossil Trail

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (July 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520243765
• ISBN-13: 978-0520243767
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #488,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darwin's Universe: Milner's World, July 23, 2009

By 

Frank Millspaugh (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Darwin's Universe: Evolution from A to Z (Hardcover)

Darwin's Universe is that rare creature, both entertaining and sound, not unlike the author himself. Books like this go a long way in exposing the irrelevance of creationism and the centrality of evolution in the biological sciences. The biographical sketches bring the scientists to life with all their contradictions, triumphs, and tragedies intact. If you read only one book this year on science, make it this one.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Darwin Evolution Book Ever, July 22, 2009

By 

Edward S. Barnard "tree guru" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Darwin's Universe: Evolution from A to Z (Hardcover)

We keep "Darwin's Universe" sitting on our cocktail table so my wife and I can pick it up periodically and savor a few entries. Last night I read a number of the mini-essays out loud to her while she was knitting. I started with the introduction--a wonderful musing on evolution and the treasures in the book. Then I began reading through the A's and B's : ADAM AND EVE; AGASSIZ, LOUIS; AGNOSTICISM; ALEX (the parrot); ANNING, MARY; ARCHAEOPTERYX; BANKS, SIR JOSEPH; BARLOW, LADY NORA; BARNUM , PHINEAS T.; (HMS) BEAGLE; and BEECHER, HENRY WARD. Each was a little gem brimming with delectable morsels, to mix some metaphors. "Darwin's Universe" is great for reading-aloud, something I wouldn't dream of doing with any other "reference book." For both edification and entertainment it beats PBS and NPR.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Masterpiece Has Arrived!, July 5, 2009

By 

Pete Von Sholly "Pete" (california) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Darwin's Universe: Evolution from A to Z (Hardcover)

Darin's Universe is a masterpiece! Milner brings his vast erudtion and charm to every aspect of evolutionary science, even where it overlaps with pop culture. The book makes every subject come to life, even subjects I thought I had no interest in and makes them shine. Replete with rare and unseen images from all over the world, Darwin's Universe literally leaves no stone unturned. A must-have!