Evolution: A Very Short Introduction

For someone with only layman knowledge about the evolution this book helps a great deal in clarifying theoretical foundations of the theory of evolution. It discusses in great deal the evidence how it supports the theory and where it lacks to do so. I read any VSI book as a potential to be my guide who will introduce me to a new area. This book has done that job well, and I am really interested in reading further.

For Rulers: Priming Political Leaders for Saving Humanity from ItselfThis 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 DrorThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem For Rulers: Priming Political Leaders for Saving Humanity from Itself

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.

text book needed for class.

excellent!

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.