Evolution: A Very Short Introduction 1st Edition

by Brian Charlesworth (Author), Deborah Charlesworth (Author)

12 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0192802514

ISBN-10: 0192802518

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Evolution: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

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This book illuminates the crucial role of evolutionary biology in transforming our view of human origins and our relation to the universe, highlighting the impact of this theory on traditional philosophy and religion. The authors introduce the general reader to some of the most important basic findings, concepts, and procedures of evolutionary biology, as it has developed since the first publications of Darwin and Wallace on the subject, over 140 years ago. They show how evolution provides a unifying set of principles for the whole of biology and sheds light on the relation of human beings to the universe and each other.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Charlesworth is Royal Society Research Professor at the Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, University of Edinburgh, and President of the Society for the Study Evolution. His research is mainly in evolutionary genetics, applying classical and molecular genetics to the study of evolution and natural variation. He is author of Evolution in Age-Structured Populations (CUP, 2nd edn. 1994) Deborah Charlesworth is Professor in the ICABP at Edinburgh. Her research focuses on the evolution of plant breeding systems, including how they avoid inbreeding, and work on sex chromosomes and self-incompatibility.

Product details

Paperback: 168 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press; 1st edition (August 21, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0192802518
ISBN-13: 978-0192802514
Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 0.5 x 4.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 12 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #951,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #234 in Books > Science & Math > Evolution > Organic
- #2628 in Books > History > Europe > France
- #4177 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > Europe

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GOOD, BUT FLAWED

June 3, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

For Rulers: Priming Political Leaders for Saving Humanity from Itself

This could be an outstanding introduction to the theory of evolution, but for six failures – some minor and some quite serious.
1. Darwin and Wallace are frequently mentioned in tandem, as if they cooperated or are co-equal in developing the theory of evolution. This is misleading. Wallace deserves much credit for his independent insights, but was not on the same level as Darwin (See Darwin’s outstanding biography by Desmond and Moore, which regretfully is missing from the recommended readings).
2. The book states that “All present-day living organisms are the descendent of self-replicating molecules that were formed by purely chemical means, more than 3.5 billion years ago” (p.1 and towards the end of the book). This is a conjecture, and will remain one till such molecules are produced in laboratories. Thus, it is possible that Earth was seeded with such forms of live from outer space, by accident or on purpose. It would be better if the authors were more cautious in pronouncing on what is not solid knowledge.
3. The book states “A very important kind of natural selection acting today is causing ever-increasing antibiotic resistance in bacteria… It is probably the most important reason why citizens should understand something about evolution” (p. 80), going on with this subject for two more pages. This is preposterous. Humans should primarily understand evolution as part of knowing our world and pondering our place in nature, not to prevent overuse of antibiotics, however important.
4. The text states “the disasters of the 20th century resulted from a failure to be rational rather than a failure of rationality” (p. 3). This demonstrates lack of understanding of the nature of “rationality” in contrast to moral beliefs with all their problematics.
5. Instead of statements going beyond the scope of the book, a discussion of the debate on punctuated equilibrium versus phyletic gradualism is sorely missing.
6. Towards the end of the book some lip service is paid to the bloody nature of evolution. But this is very inadequate compared to the crucial importance of “survival of the fittest” in natural history – but this concept is not even mentioned.
7. Given the expanded scope of the book beyond a narrow presentation of evolution, it should at least have mentioned the Singularity hypothesis and the possibility of human-controlled technological evolution displacing in part natural evolution of humanity, much more radically so than in the past.
I think that all of humanity should be familiar with the theory of evolution. All the more so, this is a “must” for the very few how shape the future of the many. This applies in particular to political leaders, most of whom at present are sure to fail a test on the basics of evolution – as presented in this book.
I would have loved to recommend this short introduction as a basic text conveying the essential minimum understanding of evolution. But this will have to wait for a revised edition repairing the few but very disturbing errors of omission and commission of this one.
Professor Yehezkel Dror
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Comment

February 26, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

text book needed for class.

Comment

An excellent summary of current knowledge

November 6, 2005

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

It is a sign of the times that the authors on occasion take a defensive attitude to their subject. Creationism, for whatever reason, has proved remarkably adaptive and, strange as it may seem, evolutionary biologists still feel obliged to painstakingly lay out the evidence for evolution per se, rather than just discuss its mechanisms or trace its history.

The Charlesworths do a good job of this, albeit in a rather dry, academic style that may not suit readers that just want a light, readable introduction to the basic principles of evolution.

The book contains a fairly heavy dose of microbiology, as the authors go to some lengths to detail the biological functions underlying heredity and evolution. This is useful revision for readers with high school science, but tough going for the complete beginner. Similarly, the style is plain and succinct but never light or breezy. This is not a dummy's guide.

Evolution theory took a spectacular wrong turn in the latter part of the 20th century with the emergence of the idea that selection acts only at the gene level, a view popularized by Dawkins's The Selfish Gene. This bizarre notion gained a considerable following and was the subject of a heated dispute between Dawkins and Gould that ended only with the latter's death. Thankfully, sanity has been restored and it is now once again recognized that selection can take place at any level, and it is refreshing to see the Charlesworths, in this book, stating unequivocally (p 74) that there can be selection at species level and at other levels (p 73). Interestingly, there is an extract from a very favorable review by Dawkins of this book, on the back cover. Did he skip pages 73 and 74 or has he at last seen the light?

This series is prone to typos and the mutant printing gene has not been bred out of this particular book. Figure 19 is a monumental example. It is printed in landscape rather than portrait mode, effectively sideways (you'd have to see it to understand) thus leaving half the page blank and half the figure missing. The birds and mammals are therefore cruelly pruned from the tree of life. OUP really should get a grip.

Look elsewhere if you want a true introductory text, but select this if you want an excellent summary of the current state of knowledge of evolution and its underlying biological processes.

72 people found this helpful

Comment

September 29, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

excellent!

One person found this helpful

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Perfect reference guide

April 12, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Very informative for a pocket sized book. Lays out the basics of the process of natural selection and genetic variation. Perfect for quick reference and to lend to friends and family in case they struggle like so many with the shortcomings of their beliefs about the origins of life and man.

One person found this helpful

Comment

An excellent introduction to evolution or review for the reader familiar with the topic

January 23, 2010

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

An excellent review for the reader familiar with Evolution. Also a very good introduction for the novice.

2 people found this helpful

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This is a book about genetics

June 2, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

For someone who was expecting a discussion of evolution from a "macro", "peleontological" or even "arquelogical" perspective this "introductory" book came as a surprise. My critique is not about the quality of the book, but about focus: the authors completely miss the point by focusing the discussion on genes, proteins, DNA, biochemistry etc. The fact that it was Dawkins, and not O Wilson or Gould, who gave a praise to the book should serve as a warning. Note that there is nothing wrong to use genetic explanations to supplement an argument regarding evolution, but the book appears to do the opposite: a discussion of the biochemical mechanics of inheritance with supplementary comments regarding other evolutionary pressures. Again, if you wish to understand evolution from a micro-, biochemical, genetic perspective, then this is the book for you! Otherwise, you will be waisting your money. Finally, for something along a real discussion of evolution check out Wood's "Human Evolution" from the same series (it also uses genetics, but only to support the argument!).

14 people found this helpful

Comment

October 21, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Not as interesting as I thought it would be. Probably my tiny mind

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