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


From Publishers Weekly
This volume is the companion piece for an eight-hour PBS documentary of the same name, scheduled to be aired in September. Science writer Zimmer (At the Water's Edge) does a superb job of providing a sweeping overview of most of the topics critical to understanding evolution, presenting his material from both a historical and a topical perspective. He summarizes the changing scientific views of geology and genetics, for example, while discussing the implications modern evolutionary theory might have for agriculture and medicine. With chapters dealing with difficult and often controversial subjects including Charles Darwin's life and his struggle to bring his concept of evolution before the public; the evolution of sex; patterns of human evolution and the importance of language in the rise of humans; the role humans have played and continue to play in the extinction of species; and the fallacies of "creation science" it is not surprising that a great deal of information is either glossed over or omitted entirely. Yet the writing is clear and concise, the text is carefully presented (with b&w and color illustrations throughout) and a respectably substantial Stephen Jay Gould introduction starts things off nicely. (Oct.)Forecast: The series should certainly move units on its own, particularly via the PBS Web site. But a seven-city author tour, 25-city radio campaign, display easels and other promotional gambits will help the book and the series considerably. Though it may not be a breakout title, very respectable sales can be expected among PBS regulars.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Sneak preview: this work by science journalist Zimmer accompanies a hot new seven-part series on PBS.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Scientific American
"In late October 1831 a 90-foot coaster named the HMS Beagle lay docked at Plymouth, England. Its crew scrambled about it like termites in a nest...." Proceeding from the flurry of preparations for Darwin's famous voyage, Carl Zimmer leads us off on a journey of our own, tracking the development--and the implications--of one of the most powerful ideas in the biological sciences. Written as a companion to the WGBH/Nova seven-part television series that aired in late September, the book and the show itself aim to bring the contentious debate about evolution to a wide audience. Zimmer, who was an editor at Discover magazine and is the author of At the Water's Edge and Parasite Rex, writes in a gloriously clear and lively style. But don't be misled by the polished prose, the gorgeous illustrations, the elegant design or the book's status as a "companion volume": Zimmer neglects neither underlying biological concepts nor current controversies. His coverage is as thorough as it is graceful. This is as fine a book as one will find on the subject.

Editors of Scientific American


From AudioFile
Watchers of the PBS "Nova" series will recognize the narrator's pleasant and clear voice more than his name. Peter Thomas reads with precision and comfort, an important advantage for the many scientific terms herein. The abridgment retains the distinguished author's important messages as he develops a biography of Darwin and his discoveries into a story of evolution and natural selection. Zimmer then relates Darwin's laws (they are no longer radical theories) to the present day with a timely discussion of pesticides, antibiotics, extinction, and sexuality. Advanced high school students and above with some knowledge of basic biology will find this audiobook illuminating. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
This book is part of a multimedia package the highlight of which is a PBS Nova series that will air this month. Zimmer's synthesis of evolution is a valuable introduction to the subject, encompassing background on the theory's formulation, the "modern synthesis" of its mechanisms, and a narrative of the history of life. Because of its tie-in to the PBS series, it will no doubt be popular, and it well deserves an effort to bring it to wide attention (i.e., display it--don't just shelve it). One senses Zimmer's and, in the introduction, Stephen Jay Gould's exasperation with having to refute yet again the criticisms of evolution and reiterate the deficiencies of creationism. No surprise to readers of his creepy but excellent Parasite Rex! [BKL Ag 00], the text moves smartly along, and Zimmer's expository conciseness is a high point of the text. He is also commendably clear in explaining the background of the Cambrian "explosion" a half billion years ago and the highlights of the fossil record since, ultimately encompassing human origins. Popular science that will truly be popular. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM OUR EDITORS

This companion to the groundbreaking PBS series by noted science writer Carl Zimmer covers the full scope of evolution, from its acceptance in the scientific community to the controversies surrounding it today to the wonders evolution has produced in the natural world -- not the least of which is humanity itself.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Darwin's The Origin of Species was breath-taking—beautifully written, staunchly defended, defiantly radical. Yet it emerged long before modern genetics, molecular biology, and contemporary findings in paleontology.

In this remarkable book, a rich and up-to-date view of evolution is presented that explores the far-reaching implications of Darwin's theory. At a time when controversies surrounding creationism and education are bursting into public consciousness, this book's emphasis on the power, significance, and relevance of evolution will make it a catalyst for public debate. Evolution makrs a turning point in the 150-year debate and will be an indispensable asset to any serious reader with an interest in the life sciences, a passion for truth in education, or a concern for the future of the planet.

FROM THE CRITICS

Scientific American

"In late October 1831 a 90-foot coaster named the HMS Beagle lay docked at Plymouth, England. Its crew scrambled about it like termites in a nest..." Proceeding from the flurry of preparations for Darwin's famous voyage, Carl Zimmer leads us off on a journey of our own, tracking the development--and the implications--of one of the most powerful ideas in the biological sciences. Written as a companion to the WGBH/Nova seven-part television series that aired in late September, the book and the show itself aim to bring the contentious debate about evolution to a wide audience.

"Zimmer, who was an editor at Discover magazine and is the author of At the Water's Edge and Parasite Rex, writes in a gloriously clear and lively style. But don't be misled by the polished prose, the gorgeous illustrations, the elegant design or the book's status as a "companion volume": Zimmer neglects neither underlying biological concepts nor current controversies. His coverage is as thorough as it is graceful. This is as fine a book as one will find on the subject."

Publishers Weekly

This volume is the companion piece for an eight-hour PBS documentary of the same name, scheduled to be aired in September. Science writer Zimmer (At the Water's Edge) does a superb job of providing a sweeping overview of most of the topics critical to understanding evolution, presenting his material from both a historical and a topical perspective. He summarizes the changing scientific views of geology and genetics, for example, while discussing the implications modern evolutionary theory might have for agriculture and medicine. With chapters dealing with difficult and often controversial subjects including Charles Darwin's life and his struggle to bring his concept of evolution before the public; the evolution of sex; patterns of human evolution and the importance of language in the rise of humans; the role humans have played and continue to play in the extinction of species; and the fallacies of "creation science" it is not surprising that a great deal of information is either glossed over or omitted entirely. Yet the writing is clear and concise, the text is carefully presented (with b&w and color illustrations throughout) and a respectably substantial Stephen Jay Gould introduction starts things off nicely. (Oct.) Forecast: The series should certainly move units on its own, particularly via the PBS Web site. But a seven-city author tour, 25-city radio campaign, display easels and other promotional gambits will help the book and the series considerably. Though it may not be a breakout title, very respectable sales can be expected among PBS regulars. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Sneak preview: this work by science journalist Zimmer accompanies a hot new seven-part series on PBS. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile