The Theory of Evolution (Pelican) [Paperback]

John Maynard Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pelican | Publication Date: February 28, 1976

All living plants and animals, including man, are the modified descendants of one or a few simple living things. A hundred years ago Darwin and Wallace in their theory of natural selection, or the survival of the fittest, explained how evolution could have happened, in terms of processes known to take place today. In this book John Maynard Smith describes how their theory has been confirmed, but at the same time transformed, by recent research, and in particular by the discovery of the laws of inheritance.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Few people in the world are better qualified than John Maynard Smith to explain evolution to us, and no subject more than evolution deserves such a talented teacher. Like Darwin himself, Maynard Smith knows that his story if intrinsically interesting and important enough to need no more than clear, patient, honest exposition. The new Introduction is an elegant essay which can be recommended in its own right as a summary of important recent developments in evolutionary theory. This book is the best general introduction to the subject now available.' Richard Dawkins, from the Foreword to the Canto edition --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Description

A century ago Darwin and Wallace explained how evolution could have happened in terms of processes known to take place today. This book describes how their theory has been confirmed, but at the same time "transformed", by recent research. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 28, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140204334
• ISBN-13: 978-0140204339
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,238,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest introductions to evolutionary science, February 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Theory of Evolution (Canto) (Paperback)

This summary of evolutionary theory by the dean of the British school is essential reading for those who would understand the issues argued by Dawkins and Gould. It is an engrossing read, but is not trivially easy, despite having the appearance of a popularization. I would recommend it to anyone wanting more than a cursory overview of the most important theme of modern biology.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but today slightly dated., July 6, 2001

By 

"agreen60" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Theory of Evolution (Canto) (Paperback)

Although I do not always agree with his views, I quite like Maynard Smith, so I rushed to buy this book which at its price seemed a real gem. Well, just to caution the reader that while it is classic Maynard Smith, the book is now quite old (1975). One can say that Darwin's 1859 classic, or "Selfish Gene" (1976) is also old, but these books were a milestone at the time. This book had less impact as a classic, so if one just needs latest information in a fast moving topic, there are more up-to-date works around. Even Maynard Smith's own (1998) "The Origins of Life" would be better value. You have to use your own judgement about this one.