Rating: 
Summary: Triumph over creationism
Review: "Evolution" combines broad scope with enough detail to make a fascinating overview; though the "Triumph" in the subtitle was not emphasized enough, at least regarding evolution's triumph over creationism. (I'll remedy that here!)Chapters I and II review Darwin's life and the origin of "Origin." III discusses some ingenious techniques used to date ancient rocks, which shows that creationists are wrong to believe that evolutionists use fossils to date rocks in a type of circular argument. (Minerals being dated often don't even contain fossils!) Zimmer discusses Precambrian life, which preceded the Cambrian Explosion (CE) by billions of years, so creationists are wrong to believe that life began suddenly in the CE without prior ancestors. The review of life's migration from sea to land was also fascinating, and shows that creationists are wrong to believe that all life forms, including land-dwellers, appeared simultaneously in the CE. IV, on genes and natural selection in action, documents that our modern ideas about heredity are completely different from Darwin's, showing how wrong creationists (including a previous reviewer) are to claim that evolution is a dogmatic theory that ignores new evidence. (The ways in which modern evolutionists differ from Darwin's original theory are discussed repeatedly. Did that reviewer even read the book?!) IV's fascinating sections on our immune systems using evolutionary processes to fight infections and engineers using "evolutionary computing" show that "intelligent design" creationists are wrong to argue that random variation and non-random selection cannot produce complex, specified information systems, and that only intelligent forces, i.e., God, can produce such systems. V discusses the first 3 billion years of life, dominated by microbes, and answers the question, "Which came first, enzymes or proteins?" (One creationist reviewer must have missed this chapter.) Gene transfer, gene duplication, and fusion evolution are explained. All involve non-Darwinian processes, again, refuting creationist complaints about dogmatism! VI describes how Hox genes act as "tool kits," enabling widely separated species to construct similar body parts. Some Hox genes are virtually identical in flies, mice, humans, and crabs. These complex genes could not possibly have evolved separately in separate species, but must have been passed down to each species through a common ancestor. Hox genes' role in the CE helps refute the creationist claim of "sudden creation." The evolution of land animals from fish, the eye, and whales are all staples of creationist rhetoric, but Zimmer outlines the proper, scientific response. Another common creationist argument is that evolution is based on geological uniformitarianism, which holds that Earth's geological features were formed through gradual processes operating at a constant speed. It is easy to show that many geological formations could only have been formed by sudden, i.e., catastrophic events, and therefore creationists have an easy time showing that evolution is false. Of course, the creationist argument is valid only if evolution does in fact reject catastrophes. Chapter VII shows that it is creationists who are wrong, because catastrophes play a key role in evolution. Zimmer attributes mass extinctions to catastrophic events, and discusses the effect these catastrophic extinctions had on the subsequent history of life, particularly the evolution of small, nocturnal, warm-blooded mammals with more evolved brains. (Catastrophes are discussed in other chapters too, enough to make a creationist squirm!) VIII describes examples of co-evolution, where evolution in one species affects evolution in a separate species. This "Red Queen" process is a type of arms race that can produce startling effects, such as moths with 16-inch tongues, or ants running their own farms, complete with fertilizer and better pesticides than those produced by humans! IX examines co-evolution in medical situations. The evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria through mutation and natural selection is a good refutation of "intelligent design" creationism. (See IV, above.) The history of HIV and similar viruses in cats, cows, and primates and the possible significance of medieval Europe's Black Death were particularly interesting. X discusses the evolutionary implications of SEX, including Red Queen aspects, the implications of females having a few large eggs and males having numerous small sperm, why males are brash and females are coy, the competitive advantages of sexual cannibalism, why lions kill lion cubs, why peacocks have tails, and why allegedly monogamous birds cheat on their husbands! Peyton Place was a convent compared to this! XI discusses some of the highlights of human evolution, such as environmental changes, tool-making, empathy, and language. XII discusses modern man and culture. Recent studies show that Neanderthal DNA is completely different from human DNA, proving that the creationist insistence that Neanderthals were just modern humans suffering from rickets was just stupid. XIII traced the rise of "scientific" creationism from the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925 to the Kansas Board of Education in 1999. This brief chapter still had enough space to lampoon some of the more bizarre creationist arguments, including some by Henry Morris and Michael Behe. Finally, note the dozens of citations to scientific papers published in the last decade, compared with most anti-evolution books, which rely almost exclusively on ancient, out-dated cites. (See Richard Milton's "Shattering the Myths of Darwinism," for a pathetic, and typical, example.) I also read the previous reviews. It's amazing (and depressing) how many creationists just don't get it. One complained that the book is all theory, no facts. What book was he reading? One bizarre review claimed whales appeared in the CE! One complained that Zimmer failed to cite creationists. Like most creationist arguments, that is simply false. First of all, the eight pages of citations are almost exclusively from professional science journals. It's not Zimmer's fault that creationists almost never publish in such journals. Secondly, despite creationists' lack of professional credentials, Zimmer did in fact relax his standards enough to reference very prominent creationists Henry Morris, Michael Behe, and Phillip Johnson. The references, however, demonstrate how shoddy their work is, which explains why they never publish in professional journals! Morris's population growth rate argument was simply insane! In short, it's a wonderful, informative book!
Rating:
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 (...)
Rating:
Summary: Clear and easy-to-understand for the non-scientist
Review:
Most non-biologists are aware of the creation v. evolution rift, and yet probably know very little about evolution. Religious folks probably feel like they are betraying their religion on some level, to learn about evolution and many others just accept it as fact because the scientists say it's true. This book lay's out the concept of evolution and it's history in a leisurely, interesting, and colorful manner - perfectly suited to the non-scientist. Not much more needs to be said other than it's a suburb introduction to the idea of evolution for anyone who wants to become informed on the subject.
Rating: 
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
Rating: 
Summary: A Cheerful Read.
Review: Although I am a young-earther, I found this book great for me to view the "other side". The book is presented in a cheerful tone, and one can really tell that Zimmer enjoys the discussion. However, Zimmer loses 2 stars in his extremely biased attempted refutation of the creationist movement, especially in dealing with Intelligent Design. His arguments in this area are, to me at least, laughable. He mixes bad scientific philosophy with unfortunate mud-slinging. However, I enjoyed reading through most of the book. Illustrations throughout also help to highlight this book's appeal. This is recommended for evolutionists or for creationists who want to see the "other side".
Rating: 
Summary: Triumph of an idea, a loss for science
Review: Beautifully illustrated, this book unfortunately has been rendered obsolete by Behe's "Darwin's Black Box," which shows the utter inability of the theory to account for the molecular complexity of living things; Wells' "Icons of Evolution," which shows how most of the textbook "proofs" of evolution such as the myth of "Darwin's Finches" and the horse sequence are fraudulent or misleading; and Bird's "Origin of Species Revisited," which shows, through the evolutionist literature, the utter confusion behind the scenes; all of which expose the scientific case against evolution, which has been described by former adherents as "a metaphysical research programme." Strangely enough, these books were published before this one; apparently the authors decided to gloss over the difficulties and controversy, and write a sort of religious tome. But the difficulties will not go away and a book which was envisioned as a pop science piece should have addressed them, even if inadequately. There is no reply to Behe's challenge of providing evolutionary explanations on the level of molecular detail, which is now the only level which matters. Even a parade of transitional fossils would not address this problem, which is perhaps the crux of the argument. The evolutionary scenarios remain hopelessly superficial and vague - perhaps reflecting their target audience. In a way, the title is right. For forty years, the idea of evolution triumphed over science, until Piltdown Man was exposed as a fraud. Evolution triumphs, but only in the same way that Scientology still triumphs in the minds of its many adherents. Evolution also wins through frantic publishing and publicity instead of debate. Unfortunately, it is at the cost of progress and science itself. A little more scientific integrity and willingness to explore the scientific problems, such as how evolution apparently also triumphs over physics and probability, and can generate mind-bogglingly complex systems of cascading molecular interactions, would have been welcome, especially the seeming impossibility of abiogenesis, the obstacles of which are both enormous and well known in origins research.
Rating:
Summary: Stellar resource for both the layperson and professional
Review: Carl Zimmer has done a masterful job of presenting the modern synthesis of Evolutionary Theory. The format is accessible and nonconfrontational. The examples are quite lucid and prolific. I especially appreciate the extensive historical context of the rise of Evolutionary Theory and the difficulties facing it. .... As a scientist I can say that both the presentation of the theory and its religious implications are fair and balanced. The author has no need for dishonest rhetoric, he strives for historical accuracy, and ultimately leaves the theistic interpretations for the reader. If you are looking for a well-written introduction to evolution, look no further. This book will serve you well. I would also recommend this book to those looking to increase their understanding of Evolution. You might notice that this book draws comments that appear to be completely polarized. Bottom line-- read it for yourself. Draw your own conclusions.
Rating:
Summary: A Definitive Guide to Evolution for lay men
Review: Carl Zimmer wrote a solid account of evolution in the book "Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea". The text is accessible to practically all ages. Serious lay men and people with no knowledge of evolution may find the book rewarding and entertaining. Zimmer begins with an elegant life story of Darwin - his family, his voyage on HMS Beagle, his friendship and discussions with other naturalists, publication of Origin of Species and other details. I was particularly interested in how Darwin's theory and ideas were debated at the time. As the book explains, Darwin earned many loyal friends (Thomas Huxley) and bitter enemies (Sir Richard Owen) after publishing his work. Also, Zimmer provides some information on carbon dating and emphasizes its importance as a method and introduces Lord Kelvin and Marie Curie to his readers as well. When Zimmer moves on to discuss genetics and heredity he rightly introduces Gregor Medel. Readers should pay special attention to the evolutionary tree of whales that show a divergence of species that are actual intermediate forms. Due to the compactness of the text I understand that Zimmer was writing under deep constraint, however, I was surprised by the fact that Zimmer only briefly mentions trilobites that surpassed 300 million years of existence during Paleozoic Era and the dinosaurs (150 million years during Mesozoic Era). At times Zimmer presents only one theory when it is known that several theories exist that confirm to the available evidence suggesting there is some favoritism going on. Graphs and illustrations seem to be up to date and are well picked but I wish he included more of these. Visual information is just as valuable as verbal. Zimmer describes several theories that try to account for mass extinctions (90% of species 250 million years ago, the demise of dinosaurs 65 million years ago, and other 4 mass extinctions): volcanism and cataclysmic asteroid collisions with earth. Zimmer attributes the mammalian rise to dominance to the mass extinction that happened 65 million years ago. He explains that mammals were no bigger than present day shrews at the time dinosaurs ruled. Only after the extinction could the mammals grow in size unconstrained. Zimmer predicts that future extinctions may be possible but this time it is Homo sapiens that are causing it. He explains that humanity has already left a deep mark on environment through carbon dioxide emissions and deforestation. According to him, we are frustrating the evolution of other plants and animals. If this is thrown out of whack the consequences may be catastrophic. Later on, Carl writes about sexual selection and sexual/asexual reproduction. He explains evolutionary advantage sexually-reproducing animals have over those that reproduce asexually. For describing sexual selection and female choice Zimmer uses old established example of peacock's tail. As we approach Part 4 we are headed into evolution of hominids. I was rewarded by the reconstructions of hominids: Australopithecus afarensis and Homo ergaster. Here Zimmer dwells into the theory of mind, human migrations, hominid interaction, and emergence of modern human behavior, symbolic thinking, and other areas. He gives some clues as to why Neanderthals went extinct about 27,000 years ago. Homo neanderthalensis did not seem to interbreed with Homo sapiens. They left no progeny. Zimmer is clearly a proponent of a theory of sudden emergence of human behavior that arose, according to some anthropologist, as early as 50,000 years ago and led to the use of jewelry, cave paintings and other forms of symbolic expression. I personally sway toward the theory that suggests that modern human behavior arose gradually in Africa without taking any sudden leaps. Recent archeological findings of shell beads dated to about 75,000 years ago and other digs may be suggesting that modern human behavior has existed way before Africans began expanding into Europe in several migration waves. The last chapter deals with the idea of God. Zimmer walks his readers through history of American education and its battle with Darwinism. He explains that Darwinism has historically been abused and used to justify xenophobia, violence, and eugenic polices in Europe. This type of Darwinism was dubbed "Social Darwinism" and left a deep gash on the reputation of Darwinism as a healthy science. Additionally, if you are interested about Intelligent Design movement and Earth Creationists then you will definitely like this chapter. Zimmer finishes off his book splendidly. He portrays Darwin's own battle with his religiosity. Darwin's transformation from a devoted Christian to an agnostic was gradual. Deaths of his loved ones left deep marks on his mentality. At the end Darwin himself succumbed to his illness and passed away in solitude and peace.
Rating:
Summary: A Definitive Guide to Evolution for lay men
Review: Carl Zimmer wrote a solid account of evolution in the book "Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea". The text is accessible to practically all ages. Serious lay men and people with no knowledge of evolution may find the book rewarding and entertaining. Zimmer begins with an elegant life story of Darwin - his family, his voyage on HMS Beagle, his friendship and discussions with other naturalists, publication of Origin of Species and other details. I was particularly interested in how Darwin's theory and ideas were debated at the time. As the book explains, Darwin earned many loyal friends (Thomas Huxley) and bitter enemies (Sir Richard Owen) after publishing his work. Also, Zimmer provides some information on carbon dating and emphasizes its importance as a method and introduces Lord Kelvin and Marie Curie to his readers as well. When Zimmer moves on to discuss genetics and heredity he rightly introduces Gregor Medel. Readers should pay special attention to the evolutionary tree of whales that show a divergence of species that are actual intermediate forms. Due to the compactness of the text I understand that Zimmer was writing under deep constraint, however, I was surprised by the fact that Zimmer only briefly mentions trilobites that surpassed 300 million years of existence during Paleozoic Era and the dinosaurs (150 million years during Mesozoic Era). At times Zimmer presents only one theory when it is known that several theories exist that confirm to the available evidence suggesting there is some favoritism going on. Graphs and illustrations seem to be up to date and are well picked but I wish he included more of these. Visual information is just as valuable as verbal. Zimmer describes several theories that try to account for mass extinctions (90% of species 250 million years ago, the demise of dinosaurs 65 million years ago, and other 4 mass extinctions): volcanism and cataclysmic asteroid collisions with earth. Zimmer attributes the mammalian rise to dominance to the mass extinction that happened 65 million years ago. He explains that mammals were no bigger than present day shrews at the time dinosaurs ruled. Only after the extinction could the mammals grow in size unconstrained. Zimmer predicts that future extinctions may be possible but this time it is Homo sapiens that are causing it. He explains that humanity has already left a deep mark on environment through carbon dioxide emissions and deforestation. According to him, we are frustrating the evolution of other plants and animals. If this is thrown out of whack the consequences may be catastrophic. Later on, Carl writes about sexual selection and sexual/asexual reproduction. He explains evolutionary advantage sexually-reproducing animals have over those that reproduce asexually. For describing sexual selection and female choice Zimmer uses old established example of peacock's tail. As we approach Part 4 we are headed into evolution of hominids. I was rewarded by the reconstructions of hominids: Australopithecus afarensis and Homo ergaster. Here Zimmer dwells into the theory of mind, human migrations, hominid interaction, and emergence of modern human behavior, symbolic thinking, and other areas. He gives some clues as to why Neanderthals went extinct about 27,000 years ago. Homo neanderthalensis did not seem to interbreed with Homo sapiens. They left no progeny. Zimmer is clearly a proponent of a theory of sudden emergence of human behavior that arose, according to some anthropologist, as early as 50,000 years ago and led to the use of jewelry, cave paintings and other forms of symbolic expression. I personally sway toward the theory that suggests that modern human behavior arose gradually in Africa without taking any sudden leaps. Recent archeological findings of shell beads dated to about 75,000 years ago and other digs may be suggesting that modern human behavior has existed way before Africans began expanding into Europe in several migration waves. The last chapter deals with the idea of God. Zimmer walks his readers through history of American education and its battle with Darwinism. He explains that Darwinism has historically been abused and used to justify xenophobia, violence, and eugenic polices in Europe. This type of Darwinism was dubbed "Social Darwinism" and left a deep gash on the reputation of Darwinism as a healthy science. Additionally, if you are interested about Intelligent Design movement and Earth Creationists then you will definitely like this chapter. Zimmer finishes off his book splendidly. He portrays Darwin's own battle with his religiosity. Darwin's transformation from a devoted Christian to an agnostic was gradual. Deaths of his loved ones left deep marks on his mentality. At the end Darwin himself succumbed to his illness and passed away in solitude and peace.
Rating:
Summary: A Splendid Companion to the PBS series
Review: Carl Zimmer, one of our finest science writers, has written an elegant companion to the PBS NOVA miniseries which stands on its own as an excellent introduction to evolution, covering topics which should be of interest to all, ranging from the evolution of sex to fighting disease, and of course, the search for humanity's origins as the only extant member of a once-flourishing tribe of hominid species related to the great apes. Each of Zimmer's chapters corresponds with the NOVA episode related to it. He gives us a mesmerizing, compelling portait of Charles Darwin and his intellectual struggles with his understanding of biology, geology and faith, as he recognized that his detailed observations of biotic diversity could only be accounted for by a theory of evolution via natural selection. Zimmer gives a riveting account on the history of life, highligting such notable episodes as the evolution of multicellular organisms, the Cambrian explosion, the invasion of the land by plants, insects and tetrapods, the Permo-Triasic and Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary mass extinctions, to name but a few. He also notes the significance of chance and constraint in the evolution of animal life, pointing out the significance of tiny changes in certain genes in creating vast differences in the structures of animal skeletons and organs. He emphasizes the importance of co-evolution as a constant struggle between predators and prey. And he clearly shows the importance of natural selection in understanding the spread and control of such virulent diseases as tuberculosis. Zimmer's account of the role of God - if any - with respect to evolution and the widespread appeal of so-called creation science, most notably, "Intelligent Design", is replete with excellent arguments and examples demonstrating why Intelligent Design and other forms of creation science are not scientific. This well written, highly engrossing, popular account of evolution deserves to be read by all.
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