About this title: In accessible prose, Zimmer retells the story of evolution--how Darwin's theory anticipated the findings of modern science, how evolution has changed the contours of organic life, and what the future holds in store. Proceeding topically, Zimmer's summary deals with controversial issues that have appeared in the wake of Darwin's ORIGIN OF SPECIES. ...
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Binding: Paperback
Publisher: William Heinemann Ltd
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780434009091ISBN:0434009091
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd
Date Published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780099439820ISBN:0099439824
Description: Good. All orders are dispatched from our UK warehouse within one working day. Established in 2004. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. read more
Description: Acceptable. Ships from the UK. Former Library book. Binding is slightly damaged and/or book has some loose pages. No missing pages. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780434009091ISBN:0434009091
Description: Published by William Heinemann Ltd in 2002. Paperback. Number of pages: 384. Condition: Like NEW. No defects, may have been previously read. Shipped from UK. Delivery is usually 2-3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780434009091ISBN:0434009091
Description: Published by William Heinemann Ltd in 2002. Paperback. Number of pages: 384. Condition: Like NEW. No defects, may have been previously read. Shipped from UK. Delivery is usually 2-3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780434009091ISBN:0434009091
Description: Published by William Heinemann Ltd in 2002. Paperback. Number of pages: 384. Condition: Very Good. May show some slight signs of wear. Shipped from UK. Delivery is usually 2-3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780434009091ISBN:0434009091
Description: Published by William Heinemann Ltd in 2002. Paperback. Number of pages: 384. Condition: Good. Used book but in Good Condition for sensible price. With Index. Illustrated. With photographs. Shipped from UK. Delivery is usually 2-3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780434009091ISBN:0434009091
Description: Published by William Heinemann Ltd in 2002. Paperback. Number of pages: 384. Condition: Very Good. May show some slight signs of wear. Shipped from UK. Delivery is usually 2-3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail. read more
Description: Good. Corners little worn. edges dirty. black mark on end., Used-Good. Sound Copy. Mild Reading Wear. Books uploaded via isbn and stock photos may be different than actual book. read more
Description: Good. Corners & edges worn, dj torn on front cover, Used-Good. Sound Copy. Mild Reading Wear. Books uploaded via isbn and stock photos may be different than actual book. read more
Description: Good. Normal wear-cover corners and edges slightly bent, cover slightly torn on back cover, page corners slightly bent, highlighting on pages 100% Money Back Guarantee. read more
Description: Good. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780060958503ISBN:0060958502
Description: Good. This book is in good condition. Minimal wear and tear. This item was a donation to Goodwill of Greater Washington. Thank you for your purchase. Your order will be processed within 2 business days of receipt. read more
""Are we a biological accident or a cosmic imperative?" -383 A very interesting book on the history of evolution and the effects of evolution in our everyday lives. What I appreciated about this book is that it did not just cover the biological implications of evolution (it did do this by the way, and very well) but it also discussed social, cultural and psychological aspects of the human species that are deeply rooted in evolution. The bond of language, the role of sexuality, the origin of emotions such as jealousy or behaviors such as altruism are all discussed. The history of planet earth, cellular life, parasites and animals are all shown to be meshed together. Fascinating animal behaviors, grooming, infanticide, sexual activity of bonobos versus the violence of chimpanzees, ants versus virus and our pathetic use of parasites, and other mind blowing ideas are learned. The connection between ecology and evolution is demonstrated time and again. Human evolution is one topic that is covered in depth, but the book also discusses many others. The history of Darwin and the conditions of England at the time of his life provide a more clear picture of the publication and public reaction to his theories. It is amazing to see how opposition came immediately but how it was not rooted in science, but rather a result of our fear in response to the idea that we too evolved. The reaction at the Oxford convention where the book was discussed publically for the first time is incredible. The story of the argument and shouting match that followed is worthy of a play. The struggle between religion and science persists, with the mystic attackers constantly tinkering their argument to try to drape their fear in something resembling a reasoned position. However, as the book points out "we never get anywhere by labeling our ignorance god," and opposing theories say much more about those who develop them than they possibly could on factual issues. After reading this story, I think you walk away with a deeper understanding of life, and a greater awe for our position in the web of life. We are perhaps the most coevoloved species ever, a part of a web of connections and unity with life in general. This book helps you understand this, presenting a very through and well written frame of reference for understanding our place in this thing we call life."
"This is an excellent introduction or review of the theory basics. This covers sufficient detail to supply a solid foundation of evidence of change in species without being boring. Only towards the ends does Mr Zimmer seem to begin to present ideas with some bias. I did not read the 'Natural History of Rape" by Thornhill & Palmer but I did read the original paper on the scorpion fly rape behavior. This paper was given very short shrift by Zimmer despite being good research and well written. Since the paper was not listed in his bibliography I assume he didn't even read it. The scathing review he quotes points to a small portion of the book using a small data sample that may have been of marginal applicability but I remember reading statistic papers with very large data samples relating human behavior and rape victim ages so I know there is far more work being done that is relevant but not mentioned in Mr Zimmer's critique. This type of work by evolutionary biologists is slapped down by Zimmer as being based on minute samples and because their "samples usually a few dozen American undergraduates- mostly white, mostly affluent, - can hardly be expected to represent the universal human condition." This statement is implying this was all that was being done but I have read papers with a far broader data base so I know this isn't true. Zimmer is being very loaded in his method of presenting the work he is ctirisizing. So while I may not be utterly familiar with all the work this type of obvious bias makes me hesitate to take other items as being fairly presented. This is me nit picking on one segment of a book I enjoyed but it bothered me."
"Although this was a bit of a heavy read it was very informative and engrossing. Some of the issues discussed make you ashamed to be human (note the chapter on man-made mass extinctions) while others make you proud. A very very interesting book with lots of facts that make you really pay attention to life all the more"
"Brilliant non-technical summary of the history and modern advances in evolutionary science. I think the part about the formation of our planet and the Precambrian era with the first multicellular species was particularly intriguing.
I learned a great deal about the origin of mankind (I did not know for example that we were an entirely different branch of the hominids than the homo erectus). In the last chapter Zimmer does a great job revealing the hidden agenda of creationists in the USA and why their vision of the world is not only wrong but also dangerous.
This is a great book. I really enjoyed it. Darwin really would have loved it!"
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