Introducing Evolution (Introducing (Icon)) (Paperback)

~ Dylan Evans (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book explains Darwin's dangerous idea and shows how it has been developed and confirmed in recent years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Totem Books (December 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840462655
• ISBN-13: 978-1840462654
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,685,879 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Primer for pre teens, May 24, 2005

By	C. M. Stahl "RespectfulEmpiricist" (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

(...)
This book is a primer for the youngster of about 10 to 16. It is written with illustrations on every page making it a lot like a comic book. It is very well done and detailed and this reviewer suspects it would be appealing to a young crowd who has an interest is science. It appears that it may also inspire and interest in science. The explanation of how evolution works and how integral to science this theory is, becomes the strong point of the book.

The fact that the authors proclaim that once evolution and natural selection is understood, the reader would have to abandon all religious thoughts. While that seems obvious to me it may imperil this book from a wider audience. Given that there are many people who understand and support the theory of evolution and maintain religious idealogy simultaneously I think the book may limit its audience to the "choir".

A better book would explain the theory, the obvious conclusions that sensible people see as a result of that theory and let the reader (student) decide for themselves whether this requires or negates a supreme being.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best book on Evolution, February 24, 2006

By	A. Roy - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of the best books I have read on evolution. I bought the book day before yesterday, and believe me - I finished it in one sitting; I literally glued. If I could I would have given the book 6 star.

What I liked most of this book was the author covered philosophical aspects of theory of evolution and cutting edge theories concerning evolutionary psychology, evolution of culture, altruism and moral sentiments or even evolutionary robotics in addition to provide a basic idea on biological evolution. He quite convincingly established why Darwin's idea (evolution through natural selection) can be compared as "Universal Acid" (proposed by Daniel Dennett) and how Drwin's "dangerous idea" literally pushes Willium Paley's God literally out of window. I know many will be uncomfortable with the bold approach of the author, (just as one of the previous reviewer who gave one star) but hey - accept the reality! We can indeed explain our existence and complexities in living things by the theory of natural selection! Laplace truly uttered, we do not need that (God) hypothesis (anymore)!!!!

I basically agree with Steven Weinberg (American elementary particle physicist; Nobel Laureate of 1979) who said, Biological Evolution refutes the idea of an interested God much more decisively than physics does. And this is only because of Darwin and his Universal Acid - theory of evolution thru natural selection.

Novice readers, who have not started reading evolution yet, can try this. This book will be real fun to read. Bonus is Howard Selina's excellent artworks.

4.0 out of 5 stars Well told and excellent explanations, August 29, 2009

By	Winston "Iran Blogger/Activist" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introducing Evolution, New Edition (Introducing (Icon)) (Paperback)

I found the explanations and basic/simple stories in this book very amusing and helpful. Describes the history of evolution in simple language and tries to tackle the issue in a narrative and useful way. Great gift for your friends. Have bought it for several creationist people (whom I consider science retarded) and hope this book helps them find the truth. Though I think colored photos could be a lot better and effective.