Rating: 
Summary: Evolutionary Theory- an ongoing program
Review: I first checked Zimmer's book out of the library and now I need to buy a copy. It is an excellent presentation of the history of evolutionary thought that is easily read and understood by almost anyone. I realize that many creationist will be put off and spend some time pointing out supposed "flaws" in the book and evolutionary theory generally. However, despite their difficulties and the lamentable inability of many Americans to take evolution and the concepts of deep time seriously, the idea has triumphed within the science of biology (and in much of the non-American world.) No amount of attempted suppression or "equal time" demands will change that and such attempts only make the proponents of "intelligent design" look foolish. It is possible that they will win out politically for a while, but so did Lysenko in the former Soviet Union until his ideas about "vernalization," among others, were later shown to be totally false. There was a huge cost to agriculture in the USSR because of Lysenko's ideas and we would face a similar cost in molecular biology, medicine, geology and similar fields if the creationists should "win," based on the weak "evidence" they currently present. If the "intelligent design" proponents want to discount biochemical, geological, anatomical, and even astronomical evidence, or discredit evolution by bringing up already discarded ideas and hoaxes (like Piltdown Man) as straw men, they are free to do so, but such perversity does not validate their argument. This is not to say that evolutionary theory is static or should be free from criticism- far from it! New ideas within the evolutionary framework are being proposed all the time. Gould and Eldredge some years ago brought up the punctuated equilibrium idea, expanding it somewhat on similar ideas of Mayr. More recently Margulis has proposed a symbiotic evolutionary mechanism. There is an ongoing argument over evolutionary psychology (well reviewed by Zimmer in this book!) and more and more discoveries in the areas of molecular biology, behavior, paleontology, geology, ecology and systematics are constantly altering and changing the landscape of evolutionary theory. This is in fact what distinguishes science from pseudo-science like "creationism" or "intelligent design." It is, despite individual scientist's egos and definite human flaws, a self-correcting system. If true empirical evidence for "intelligent design" should appear, eventually the scientific community would (perhaps after some time) accept it. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for creationists, even in their new guise as practitioners of "intelligent design" theory. Science cannot deal with the supernatural explanations of the creationists, which are based on faith, because science has to be dedicated to the material world in order to function. Zimmer demonstrates these problems pretty graphically and I applaud for this magnificent effort! I recommend this book highly to anyone with an open mind.
Rating:
Summary: A marvelously entertaining and important book
Review: I got this book (having seen some of the PBS series) to see whether it could be readily recommended to non-scientists with whom I've gotten into discussions about evolution (I'm a developmental biologist). Although much of this was not "new" information to me it still made gripping and delightful reading.
I think the greatest value of this book is its synthesis and connection of information from many different fields into a whole that should be highly entertaining reading even for those who don't generally enjoy such topics...Whales with feet, fish with antifreeze, why the descendants of black plaque survivors have greater HIV resistance today...the anecdotes are fascinating, the science should be required knowledge for everyone alive today. Now we have the ability to trigger a mass extinction on this planet, to wipe out much of the biodiversity generated over vast gulfs of time, to alter climate and habitat worldwide. We have the ability to do good as well, to uncover cures for once deadly diseases, to alleviate starvation through higher food production. Evolution lies at the center of literally all that we have been, are now doing, and will become as a species.
Given what was not known in Darwin's day, it is perhaps remarkable how well the theory of evolution has held up. Darwin drew his conclusions about evolution almost exclusively from the morphology of existing creatures. Radiographic techniques to define the age of the earth and calculate the age of fossilized remains did not exist, our understanding of chromosomes and genes as carriers of inherited information was not yet present, little of the fossil record we now have was existent.
Now a host of disciplines (biochemistry, developmental biology, molecular genetics, paleontology, geology, etc.) have and will continue to confirm Darwin's theory in spades and to use the information to manage many critical aspects of our modern lives. We can comb the genomes of bacteria, viruses, mice and men trying to understand the basis of human disease and the underpinnings of the remarkable diversity on our planet. We can look at the common genetic blueprint driving formation of many structures in mice, men, and fruit flies. We have genetic data to place ourselves on a family tree with all other living creatures. And we drive the evolution of many creatures each day, through both our intentional and unintentional behaviors.
Evolution is too important a concept to be left to scientists. Hopefully this book will help all wonder at and appreciate how evolution has and will continue to shape the diversity of life and the pattern of our own lives.
Rating:
Summary: Superb book on evolution.
Review: I just got through reading this book the other day and I must say that is was a great book for both the layman and the seasoned veteran of evolutionary study (I myself have quite a decent amount of knowledge on the subject). It was easy to read and had plenty of illustrations. Definitely one of the best in recent years. Evolution certainly is a triumph of science, but any good idea has the potential for controversy. Such is Darwin's theory, which still draws harsh criticism even after about a century and a half since its formulation. It just doesn't sit well with many people. For example, the reviewer from Boston (Dec. 7, I believe) that only gave this book one star points out a recent Gallup poll where only a small percentage of people believed in evolution as a totally naturalistic process. What he didn't point out is that a likewise small percentage had a "good understanding" of the theory. So it seems that the majority of the people in the poll have no reason to make a judgement in the matter. Also, the motivations and methods of creationism/ID are totally pseudoscientific. In any case, one thing can always be said as being true of science: You can't vote on the truth. No matter how unpopular a theory is (with either the public or even the scientific community), if the evidence says what something is, then it is that. And since the evidence points that evolution is true, then evolution is true. It is a totally naturalistic process that doesn't require divine intervention and otherwise conforms to all the necessary principle of scientific investigation. Besides, all the people who gave this book a bad review for their ideological concepts must have not read the last chapter. It appears that their negative views of Darwin's grand masterpiece are not even close to unanimous with other religious people (even the Pope, who always warns about confusing science and religion, says there is no conflict with evolution and Christianity). But like I said, it doesn't matter what the Darwin bashers say--evolution is fact.
Rating:
Summary: Evolution - Review
Review: I really liked this book. It is written from a perspective that anyone with reasonable intelligence can make sense of (which leaves out the fundamentalists that have reviewed this book). With the possible exception of the detail given about molecular evolution (DNA, RNA, etc), this book is an easy read. I appreciated the historical perspective regarding Darwin in the first couple chapters. The description of Darwin's own mental evolution was fascinating. As the fact of evolution became evident in the myriad of evidence he was facing, he became conflicted because of the implications involved, but only mildly. He overcame his reservations about the storm of protest he knew was coming and published anyway. Burying the truth is the province of Christian fundamentalists, and as a first-rate scientist, Darwin wanted no part of that. The book proceeds at a good pace and is generously sprinkled with photographs and diagrams. The book also proceeds in a very logical order that is easy to follow. I found the discussion of bacterial and viral evolution very interesting but also very disturbing. I am confident the human race will survive bacterial/viral evolution. Unfortunately, I suspect Zimmer is correct in being concerned that the effects of this microbial nightmare is going to have a devastating effect on humanity before it is resolved. The narrative addresses many of the Christian fundamentalist objections to evolution and natural selection throughout the book (whale evolution, Cambrian explosion, radiometric dating, etc.). But Zimmer does not speak to fundamentalist dogma specifically until the very last chapter. The fundamentalists that have reviewed this book and even the leading proponents of intelligent design proceed from a pre-school level understanding of what science is, let alone what evolution and natural selection are. The reviewer that suggested hank hanegraff's book on evolution betrays her ignorance in suggesting that his book is worth reading at all. It is no more than the rantings of a blatant fundamentalist evangelist who knows nothing of evolution. The reviewer that quoted Gould as having said "Whales and many other large animals appeared suddenly during the Cambrian explosion" is displaying ignorance at best but more likely is deliberately lying. Gould never said such a thing. I highly recommend reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Aims to please
Review: I really think that this book deserves the full 5 stars. I have just gotten to the 50th page and for me, a person that has had little previous knowledge on biology or evolution, it is wonderful. The beautiful pictures help bring it all together, and the author makes it easy for anyone to understand what he means. He splits the book into well organized chapters that are actually interesting to read. I am not usually into read books about any school related subject, but it is truly interesting to read about. It to many people is how all species in the world came to be including ourselves. This theory, although there are some contradictions, seems to provide the best answer we can provide about how we came to be. So just read this book, it can't hurt you to try it out.
Rating: 
Summary: The Triumph of an idea over what? - the facts?
Review: If you read the blurb in the official Amazon review you will see that it says the author "treats the religious beliefs of creationists with respect, while firmly insisting that the scientific evidence against their position is too compelling to ignore".
Hmmm - interesting, but quite untrue, and herein lies a tale.
The production and distribution of non-fiction books relies on a certain degree of trust between the author and the prospective reader. Here's the deal - I'll buy and maybe get around to reading your book if you've done good research and don't just make stuff up. The last chapter, on Creation Science and on the related but independent Intelligent Design movement, is polemical and biased in the extreme, but more importantly constitutes a substantial misrepresentation of the facts. Consider these examples:-
1) Zimmer quotes the problems creation scientists have with the Cambrian explosian - a portion of the fossil record which, if read chronologically, suggests the sudden development of all major body types in what would be an uncomfortably short period of time for evolutionary theory. Zimmer dismisses their concerns in part by pointing to rocks that are dated as older which lie underneath the Cambrian rocks. This completely misses a major point that scientists who do not accept evolution tend to make - that dating mathods are based on assumptions, often about uniform rates of decay that are at best unprovable and at worst suspect, but either way unscientific. This is such a major point of Creation Science that for Zimmer to miss referring to it at this critical point raises the question of how well he understands what he is criticising.
2) Zimmer suggests that creation scientists will be happy to tell you how many people were on earth at any given point of time over the last 6,000 years, dates the pyramids to 4,500 years ago, and says that creation science says there were only 600 people on earth at the time, and divided across the planet, this would give you about 6 people in Egypt to build the pyramids. That would indeed be ridiculous - but creation scientists don't in fact say that - he has two arguments mixed up. They say on the one hand that the rate of growth in human population tends towards a more recent history than evolutionary timescales. That does not mean there were only 6 people in Egypt when the pyramids were built - it means that if evolutionists accepted the same concept of uniform rates of change in population in the same way they accept them for radiometric dating that population trends would suggest a later start to the human race that anyone who believes in evolution would be happy with. Those creations scientists who are bible believers would also probably point to the tens of thousands of each and every tribe of Israel who left Egypt after forcd labour in the book of Exodus as a pretty big hint that maybe the pyramids were built by more than 6 people. Zimmer appears to have concocted a paper tiger - pokcing fun at a theory that creation scientists do not in fact hold. It is unclear who he has refuted, but clear he has embarassed himself.
3) Zimmer presents Intelligent Design as the latest underhand trick by the dark forces of creationism, but neither Creation Scientists not those who are active in Intelligent Design see themselves as being in the same camp. Zimmer refuses to treat seriously an innovative scientific enterprise, and misses the clear differences between Creation Science and Intelligent Design. Yes, they both deny atheistic evolution - but these theories have considerable differences between them. Intelligent Design could (but does not necessarily) accept that evolution happened and was guided by either God or aliens - creation science would have no real evolution at all - just minor changes known as speciation.
4) Zimmer seems more happy to talk about creation scientists who are engineers, rather than to acknowledge the contribution of those with PhDs in biology, biochemistry, physics, astronomy and a number of other disciplines. This builds into a tendency to dismiss those who don't accept evolution as if they are automatically unqualified to question it, which is the ultimate problem of scientific hubris, and represents the need for science to relarn (again) the lessons of paradigm shift.
My point here is not to argue whether evolution, creation science or intelligent design is true - but simply to state that the treatment of the last two in this book is of sufficiently poor quality that it calls into question the author's competence in representing this subject area, and therefore undermines the trust that a reader needs to have to take the author seriously on anything he says about evolution itself.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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!
Rating:
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....
Rating:
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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