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Summary: Don't worry,it's *just* a theory.
Review: (...) This book is one of my favorite books now. It states facts and the logic of evolution very clearly. Not only does it describe the many facets of the theory as it was meant to be, it goes deeper, such as Darwin's bio and religion. It even describes theories of the 'ole "which came first; DNA, RNA, or proteins" questions. This book is indispensible. Carl Zimmer is quite colorful in his writings on this remarkable theory. I swear, if your'e still a creationist after reading this, you're either illiterate, or living proof of our relation to apes.
I, for one, try to seperate myself from an ape as best to my ability, i.e., evolving on the path of a more intelligent being. Basically, being open minded. I've had my mind open to creation. It had its chance. It failed miserbly. Out with the old, and in with the new. Out with the Holey Babble, and in with reality (...)
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Summary: Oh Please!
Review: It's really a pity that some people never seem able to admit when a theory is really a theory. This is a eloquent and educated work, but evolution is as much a religion as this writer claims it is not. As it's own blurb puts it "it is not surprising that a great deal of information is either glossed over or omitted entirely". This is attributed to 'avoiding controversial subjects'. Yet the author can so clearly and concisely present all other arguments? Forgive me, but the entire issue is controversial and is only a very recent argument in our history. Anyone who reads this book should also check out 'The FACE that Proves the Farce' by Hank Hanagraph and some of the valid arguments against evolution. Unless, of course, they prefer to be force fed this theory without educating themselves on both sides of the argument. By the way do you know that even the best colleges in our nation and the world are questioning this theory that we have been sold. Check it out.
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Summary: Beautifully Done
Review: There are more technical books out there but this one makes the workings of evolution accessible to everyone. It presents the overwhelming evidence for evolution in simple well written language and is well illustrated. I especially enjoyed the cover photo showing the variety of eyes found in nature, from the simplest to the most complex. The recent discovery of even more transitional whale fossils, adds to those presented in this book and shows how little by little the evidence has amassed over the century. It's tragic that so many people have no idea how well supported evolution is. I hope this book finds its way into every school and helps everyone see the beauty of it and of science.
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Summary: The Difference between an Idea and Theory
Review: It's truly pathetic how some people can say that Evolution is just an "idea". That is simply untrue. If it's just an idea, then Creationism is a theory, in which case it is not because it has no proof nor is testable. If you think Evolution is a stupid idea, I wonder what you think about a spirit creating the universe--even more stupid, right? Let's first differentiate between a theory and an idea before we get to the book. A theory is testable explanation of a natural phenomenon based on numerous observations and experimental results; hence it has evidence. An idea is just an idea, which can be based on the intervention of the supernatural or an apparition from the clouds; but, not necessary posses evidence. The only difference between a theory and law is the amount of evidence. Yes, evolution has hundreds of lines of evidence, and in some cases are even observable in laboratories. It wouldn't have survived these 200 years had it not had so many lines of evidence to prove it. And before anyone should try and dismiss a theory, they must first understand it fully, all its concept, before they can truly judge it--just as you should to a person.As for the contents, read the review right below, just as he says. This book just covered all I needed and more....
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Summary: Darwinism is dead
Review: Like other pro-evolution books, this book is short on details and long on generalities. Evolution assumes life came about accidentally from "primordial soup", but proteins could not have organized themselves into life forms without the supervision of DNA, which would have been necessary to have been in place at the start. Also, there are no step by step transitions in the fossil record between even one species. Gould, who was involved in this book, has written this. Whales and many other large animals appeared suddenly during the "Cambrian Explosion", fully formed, with no prior transitional forms.If transitions do exist, they are only in the minds of the paleontologists, with many frauds, i.e., Java Man, Peking Man, etc. Evolution cannot explain the unique ability of man to appreciate beauty, the arts, etc. How could plant life have started if plant life needed to be present on land before land animals could inhabit the land, when plants need soil that contains organic remains from deceased animals? This book is more propoganda than an unbiased look at the complete story of evolution. I suggest Nyborg's "The Case Against Evolution" for an easy to read summary of the major problems with evolution. Gets into the details well.
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Summary: Bravo for Zimmer, and WGBH/NOVA
Review: Last May I was wandering through Down House, after 15 years, this time on the internet. There I found news about The Evolution Project and Zimmer's book. It was difficult to wait four months, but clearly worth it. Zimmer has done a masterful and original telling of the history, growth, and present applications of that most central and triumphant theory of biology. The writing is lucid with a rich selection of illustrations. The book is companion to the WGBH/NOVA seven-part television series broadcast on consecutive evenings from September 24 to 27. The book and series compliment each other well.
The book and series are only the beginning. Extensive resources for the Evolution Project are at: pbs.org/evolution. You will find information about the Evolution Teacher's Guide (free), Online Course for Teachers, Teaching Evolution Case Studies Video, Online Lessons for Students, Videos for Students, multimedia Evolution Library, and more.
The folks at WGBH/NOVA-Boston (1-800-949-8670) are very helpful with more information. It is an understatement to say that they and Zimmer have outdone themselves in creating these superb tools of science education. Enjoy the book and take advantage of the many associated resources.
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Summary: Evolution
Review: The emphasis must remain on the key "of an idea" Does anyone question the viability of a theory which has so little basis. I certainly do not have all the answers, however all of this theoretical rhetoric is simplly mind boggling. This is a well written book, however it lacks the same ingredients as do all books regarding evolution. "facts" This theory will one day fade into the sunset, only to be replaced by another theory in the not so distant future. Evolution will be nothing more than a word in history books are grandchildren will read and laugh at because so many smart people believed such a dumb idea. "Evolution can have not future because it has no past"!
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Summary: Easy, fun and true
Review: It's so easy to believe what you're told to believe. This is a fine introduction to evolution, one that will be educational for novices and experts alike. TV is a plague on our country, but every once in a while a series like this one justifies having one in your house. Buy the book. Read it to your kids. Encourage them to think for themselves!
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Summary: Triumph of an idea, not of a theory
Review: A well done book, and one that is useful, but with too much Darwub dogma. As the flood of new research comes in these popular presentations need to reflect the real problems of theory that are hard for the general public to find. This is the third triumphal book on evolution in a year, the other two being The Triumph of Sociobiology and The Triumph of Evolution (N. Eldredge). One must wonder if Darwinists are worried, and wish to plant suggestions in the minds of those wavering. Keep tri tri tri umphing! That said, this work is a very considerable sucess as an illustrated fact compedium on evolution, sure to prosper without my opinion, and would be entirely more useful if instead of the rote defense mechanisms in the Darwin debate the text instead simply presented the evidence in favor of evolutionary hypotheses and left the conclusion uncertain, which it still is. The alternative scenerio leaves even those who wish to profit from up to date accounts unsure of the whole spectrum of facts and deeper issues, and, more, the uncited literature of critics which they know is there. This works both ways, however, and this work exposes a few 'criticisms' current. The introduction by Gould is interesting if not the usual rant, in its tired insistence which isn't quite believable any more that Darwin ensured the last truth about man. He did not, and set the tone of future slanted presentations. This endless promotion of naturalism undefined yet preconceived resulting in theory therefore prebaked simply goes on and on, and becomes disillusioning. Is Buddhist nirvana naturalistic? In such a world science dogma is as dangerous as religious dogma.
This 'automatic naturalism' syndrome is grist for Phil Johnson's lambast against this tactic, and this time I found myself for the first time almost sceptical of naturalism! One needs time to recover one's bearings. It would be nice if textbooks could induce some science in the sense of saying, we don't know. It can never happen that the theory of evolution will succeed in the way ambitious promoters wish. Its lesser success as a general context of the natural facts of evolution should be enough, with the mystery of man's evolution remaining as it always was, an enigma. This book should be criticized because it is interesting at all points, one only wishes that a sure library item destined to forge the next generation of students had learned more from the Darwin debate, notwithstanding the need it validly expresses to rebuff the Designists.
Indeed, some of those critical battles have indeed been won by Darwinists against their critics, and for that reason one can never either take sides nor quite do without such partisan perspectives. Worth reading, but you must provide your own sceptical critique. There is no complete theory of evolution as yet, most certainly not for man. We are always in the same spot, the fact of evolution, but no true theory
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Summary: A Must for Every Bookshelf
Review: This is the first book on evolution in a long time making the subject easy to understand for everyone. I'm sure young earth creationists like the one below will either close their eyes to the truth or spout their religious outbursts for all to see how ignorant they are. All I can say is BUY SEVERAL COPIES of this book and give some to your school and local libraries. Not only is it a great read but you and your kids can spend hours reading and looking at all the well done illustrations. The author has done a magnificent job puting it all together for thoes of us who are not scientifically inclined.
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