Customer Reviews

Get a Grip on Evolution

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really enjoyed this book.. It had a great little stories that shed light on evolution and some of the reasons it is such an charged topic.

The book was "pretty" to look at and was very artistically pleasing with line drawings on brown (grocery bag) type paper... The sections read as small paragraphs over the pages. I would not recommend this book for someone wanting to get a long explanation of evolution topics, However if you are looking for some historical tidbits, this is great.

For another great overview with pictures.. Try the book Eyewitness Science: Evolution by Linda Gamlin.

Okay, I'll admit it; I don't even own a copy of this book. I simply picked it up from a pile of remainders at a local book store, and began to read. By the time I put it down, I had read most of it. I estimate it would take less than 40 minutes to read it cover to cover.

This cute little book is completely disarming. It mixes comic book style sketches with random photos and odd bits of clip-art, jumbles various typefaces, including one that looks as if came from a typewriter in need of repair, and is printed on the type of recycled-looking paper that you might wrap a large parcel with. It's thoroughly self-effacing. Yet--and here's the clincher--its little blurbs are actually informative and accurate; each one is short (often no more than a few sentences) and fun to read.

Each blurb covers some little topic that is in some way relevant to the theory of evolution: DNA, genetics, vestigial organs, mutations, Darwin, the difference between a hypothesis and a theory, the evolution of behavior, the formation of fossils, and even a few good-natured jabs at creationists (one sports a tiny illustration of a newspaper with the headline "Breaking News. Darwin was WRONG!").

I'm not sure who the intended audience of this book was, but I suspect that quite a few people would enjoy it; especially those with a streak of irreverence. But you definitely can't take this book too seriously. It's something you could keep in the bathroom, or by the pool. If it gets wet, Oh well. If for some reason you're in the market for a completely disarming and unpretentious little book on evolution, then here you go. It might make a good stocking stuffer (it's actually the right shape). Enjoy.

Despite what some other reviewers say, this is a deep and superb book on evolution. It does cover a lot of ground, but it never talks down to the reader or skimps on supporting facts. It takes a historical perspective, going chronologically through the important thinkers in the field. The cartoonish drawings might make it look like a children's book but it actually is suitable for any age, from bright 12-year-old through adult. If you are new to the subject this is an excellent introduction. But even if you know quite a bit about evolution this book will fill in the blanks and give you a better sense of the history and bibliography of the subject.