Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea | 
| Author: Carl Zimmer
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  64 reviews
Sales Rank: 56762
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 528
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5 x 1
ISBN: 0061138401
Dewey Decimal Number: 576.809
EAN: 9780061138409
ASIN: 0061138401
Publication Date: September 1, 2006
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Publisher: Harper PerennialDate of Publication: 2006Binding: Trade PaperBackCondition: Very GoodDescription: 0061138401 A wonderful copy with some minor edgewear to the cover. 2006 Harper Perennial Trade PaperBack
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Amazon.com
While its opponents may sneer that "it's just a theory," evolution has transcended that label to take its place as one of the most important ideas in human history. Science journalist Carl Zimmer explores its history and future in Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea, a companion piece to the epic PBS series of the same name. The book, lavishly illustrated with photos of our distant cousins, anatomical diagrams, and timelines, is as beautiful as it is enlightening. While those closely following the field will find little more here than a well-written summation of the state of the art in 2001, readers who have watched the evolutionary debates from a distance will quickly catch up with the details of the principal arguments. Zimmer's text is fresh and expansive, explaining both the minutiae of comparative anatomy and the grand scale of geological time with verve and clarity. Following the trend of turn-of-the-century evolution writers, he treats the religious beliefs of creationists with respect, while firmly insisting that the scientific evidence against their position is too compelling to ignore. Touching on biology, philosophy, theology, politics, and nearly every other field of human thought, Evolution will inspire its readers with the elegance and importance of Darwin's simple theory. --Rob Lightner
Product Description
This remarkable book presents a rich and up–to–date view of evolution that explores the far–reaching implications of Darwin's theory and emphasizes the power, significance, and relevance of evolution to our lives today. After all, we ourselves are the product of evolution, and we can tackle many of our gravest challenges –– from lethal resurgence of antiobiotic–resistant diseases to the wave of extinctions that looms before us –– with a sound understanding of the science.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 59 more reviews...
 Absolutly Brilliant May 16, 2008
A book I could not put down. Popular science story telling at its best. Amazing.
An outstanding overview of evolution May 6, 2008
This is an excellent introduction to the study of evolution. But it's not just for beginners. There is much here, including impressive illustrations, for anyone, regardless of their previous knowledge of the subject.
What I love most about this book is that it mixes the human side in with the hard science. There is, for example, a chapter about Darwin's struggle to reveal his discovery to the world. There is also a chapter about the modern struggle between faith and science.
I highly recommend this book to all.
--Guy P. Harrison, author of 50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God
I also recommend:
Evolution Boxed Set
The Last Human: A Guide to Twenty-Two Species of Extinct Humans
Walking With Cavemen
 Thorough, but complex at times. January 11, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I absolutely loved the first section, which details the story of Charles Darwin. The author really brings Darwin to life.
The rest of the book was quite thorough, and overall I enjoyed it and learned a lot. At times, however, I found it a bit too complex. Although I struggled through these sections, and at times I found I was able to grasp the idea, other times I just couldn't grasp it. I don't fault the author though. These ideas ARE complex sometimes.
I'll bet that the last chapter, about god, is rather controversial. I found it to be a very fair treatment. It showed how one could be a theist and accept evolution. And it also properly destroyed the creation 'science' and intelligent design movements.
Every Page is a Thrill November 16, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm not kidding when I say every page is a thrill. This book explores the overwhelming majesty of life, starting with the birth of our planet and culminating with DNA testing of fossils millions of years old. It's the story of organisms reproducing and mutating in outrageously wild profusion to produce complex mechanisms like the human brain and erotic relationships like male and female. It also puts our age in perspective. The author speculates that we may be entering a period of massive extinction (not the first such period in the earth's history), and it's not necessarily a terrifying prospect, because life will continue to blossom and struggle to survive and transform and run riot over every surface, space, and nook.
This is an exquisitely written book. The author is not dogmatic -- he allows for the possibility of a god and spiritual mysteries. He spends some time toward the end of the book debunking "intelligent design," without showing any disrespect to people of religious faith.
the FACT of evolution November 10, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Everyone who disagrees with Evolution almost invariably says "it's just a theory". Well, the word "theory" in the scientific community is different than how it is (usually falsely) used in the "secular" world. Since Darwin published "On the Origin of Species" in 1859. MOUNDS of evidence supporting Darwins Theory have been amassed.
This book does a fantastic job describing every facet of the Theory of Evolution - from the scientific facts to the political and even (unfortunately) legal ramifications.
If anyone want's to get a fantastic insight in to pretty much every conceivable aspect of the theory, read this book. I could not put it down.
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