Missing Links: Evolutionary Concepts and Transitions Through Time (Jones and Bartlett Series in Biology) [Paperback]

Robert A. Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0763721964 | ISBN-13: 978-0763721961 | Edition: 1

This book introduces newcomers to the field of evolutionary science with an accessible discussion of basic scientific practices, rock and fossil dating techniques and schools of classification.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc.; 1 edition (February 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763721964
• ISBN-13: 978-0763721961
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,455,346 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Paleontology > Vertebrate

More About the Author

Robert A. Martin (1944- ) is a Professor of Biology and active vertebrate paleontologist. He works with the evolution of small mammals and small mammal communities over the past 5-6 million years. He is particularly interested in testing evolutionary and ecological theory at the species level at the chronological scale of millions of years, choosing to work with groups that leave a dense fossil record that can be followed over millions of years into modern time. He continues extensive fieldwork in Kansas, Nebraska and southern Spain. His research has been supported by the National Geographic Society and the National Science Foundation. He has published many scientific contributions in journals and books, and recently published the book "Missing Links: Evolutionary Concepts and Transitions Through Time" with Jones & Bartlett (2004). The book includes a primer on evolutionary principles and a compendium of examples of transitions in the fossil record, from the grandest reaches of time (origin of life) to the detailed histories of specific animal groups (whales, horses, tetrapods, mammal-like reptiles, etc.). The book was specifically written to respond to the creationist-evolution controversy by providing evidence for connections between animal groups in the fossil record.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fills in the Gaps, October 29, 2004

By 

Robert Kirk (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Missing Links: Evolutionary Concepts and Transitions Through Time (Jones and Bartlett Series in Biology) (Paperback)

This is a compact answer to creationist's demands to show them just one transitional fossil. This book has over 300 pages of them.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Missing links don't exist? How many do you want!, December 20, 2007

By 

Rick Pierson "Science is our salvation!" (Dothan, AL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Missing Links: Evolutionary Concepts and Transitions Through Time (Jones and Bartlett Series in Biology) (Paperback)

Short and sweet: this is one of the best books on evolution for the general public.

My 4 favorites so far are (not in any particular order):

(1) "The Making of the Fittest", Sean B. Carroll

(2) "Endless Forms Most Beautiful", Sean B. Carroll

(3) "Finding Darwin's God", Kenneth Miller

(4) "Missing Links", Robert A Martin

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB!!!, August 8, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Missing Links: Evolutionary Concepts and Transitions Through Time (Jones and Bartlett Series in Biology) (Paperback)

Read this book if you ever wanted to know anything about evolution! It is full of interesting and incredibly insightful information on the subject!!