Rating: 
Summary: Captives of the paradigm
Review: Although not a student in a course, I found perusing this (upgraded, new edition)text to be interesting and intriguing, despite being a severe Darwin critic. Well illustrated with clear expositions of technical pop gen. However, if Little Red Riding Hood were an Amazon reviewer the text would read, 'What nice teeth you have...". Sociobiological thinkings is now being mainstreamed.
One of the puzzles of modern culture is the obtuseness of the technical elite, especially Darwinists. From whence did they get their rigid mentality, and total inability to think critically on evolution? It's no mystery if you look at the textbooks used to train these elites, as here. These are the doctors, biologists and others who, for the trouble of taking a close look at evolutionary theory, will end with the false assumptions of the Synthesis engraved on their eductional memory modules.
The issue can be insidious with the study of population genetics, nicely done here in its own way. But it is a subject where technical math deludes people into thinking it constitutes a theory of evolution. The sad thing is that physicists who must think critically about physics remain silent about these models, none of which are properly verified in the complex cases of advanced evolution. It reminds one of economics courses where the curious illusions of theory remain educationally entrenched despite the critics. At least it is generally known what the limitations are. But in evolution these underpowered population models are extrapolated to become a new form of metaphysics and there is no review of the propaganda possible, it seems.
So that's the reason the techical elites are 'disinformation grouwnups'. It is a situation worthy of Foucault.
Rating: 
Summary: horrible
Review: Bought this one for Evolution class. It is a horrible excuse for a textbook. Do not buy this book unless it is for a middle school student. If the authors think this book has been written for an advanced audience, then I would suggest that anyone interested in learning evolution not attend University of Washington.
Rating: 
Summary: Top notch evolution text for the undergraduate student
Review: EVOLUTIONARY ANALYSIS (2nd ed) by Freeman and Herron hits the mark for an evolution text for the undergarduate student. It's not so thick that it's intimidating, but the contents cover the basics of evolutionary biology without being watered down.The authors address topics of current interest (e.g., the evolution of HIV in Chapter 1) in drawing the student into the conversation about what evolution is, how it happens, and how you can demonstrate that it is happening. Major sections of the book include the following: 1) An introduction to evolution: the HIV story, evidence for evolution, natural selection... 2) Mechanisms of evolutionary change: mutation, genetic drift, genetics, etc... 3) Adaptation: sexual selection, kin selection, social behavior, life history factors... 4) The History of Life: mechanisms of speciation, reconstructing evolutionary trees, origins and evolution of life through human evolution... 5) Current Research in Evolutionary Biology: development and evolution (a field that's really gaining momentum these days), molecular evolution, evolution and human health... The authors touch all the important bases in this introductory text on evolution. The organization of material is logical, the tone is professional without being overbearing, there are many understandable examples, and the illustrations are excellent. Because of those factors, this new book appears to be a great text to teach from. There are wonderful reference texts out there about evolution, but most of them are not easy to teach or learn from. This book, however, helps students to learn, and provides ample material for instructors to use. This is now my top choice for a textbook in evolution. This book is definitely worth 5 stars! I hope this review was helpful to you. Alan Holyoak, Dept of Biology, Manchester College, IN
Rating:
Summary: Top notch evolution text for the undergraduate student
Review: EVOLUTIONARY ANALYSIS (2nd ed) by Freeman and Herron hits the mark for an evolution text for the undergarduate student. It's not so thick that it's intimidating, but the contents cover the basics of evolutionary biology without being watered down. The authors address topics of current interest (e.g., the evolution of HIV in Chapter 1) in drawing the student into the conversation about what evolution is, how it happens, and how you can demonstrate that it is happening. Major sections of the book include the following: 1) An introduction to evolution: the HIV story, evidence for evolution, natural selection... 2) Mechanisms of evolutionary change: mutation, genetic drift, genetics, etc... 3) Adaptation: sexual selection, kin selection, social behavior, life history factors... 4) The History of Life: mechanisms of speciation, reconstructing evolutionary trees, origins and evolution of life through human evolution... 5) Current Research in Evolutionary Biology: development and evolution (a field that's really gaining momentum these days), molecular evolution, evolution and human health... The authors touch all the important bases in this introductory text on evolution. The organization of material is logical, the tone is professional without being overbearing, there are many understandable examples, and the illustrations are excellent. Because of those factors, this new book appears to be a great text to teach from. There are wonderful reference texts out there about evolution, but most of them are not easy to teach or learn from. This book, however, helps students to learn, and provides ample material for instructors to use. This is now my top choice for a textbook in evolution. This book is definitely worth 5 stars! I hope this review was helpful to you. Alan Holyoak, Dept of Biology, Manchester College, IN
Rating:
Summary: Makes evolutionary biology interesting
Review: Evolutionary biology can be extremely tedious for undergraduate students if one insists on teaching the more arcane debates as Fisher versus Shifting Balance. That might be good for a second course for future professionals, but if one starts with such stuff, students will lose all the interest in evolution they came with.
Evolutionary Analysis is interesting, wel-informed and up to date, and is meant for general biologists. It cannot be used as a reference book for neo-darwinian debates, so the better.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful biology textbook
Review: I bought this book because I am taking a biology class at the University I attend currently. This book is our textbook. The first two chapters are about Darwinism and Evolution. I also read the Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner who is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize. His points about Darwinism and Evolution are all in this textbook with many of graphs and pictures. Although it is a textbook, it's easy to comprehend even if you are not a pre-med student. Topics such as natural selection, microevolution, and irony and controversy of the validity of evolution by natural selection are covered. Part II of the book is about Mutation and Mendelian Genetics. The author covers gene duplication and Yule's Numerical examples, analyzing the point of the natural selection being a potent force of evolution. And sexual selection and adaptations are other important topics that are discussed in the part II. Part III of the book is about current research (1998). Various theories in relationships among humans and the extant apes, and sexual selection are covered in great depth. Again, it all comes down to microevolution and macroevolution and their patterns after examing adaptive radiations, punctuated equilibrium, and fossiles. Lastly, the author talks about social behavior of various species. The author concludes that when individuals interact, four outcomes are possible with respect to fitness: cooperation, altruism, selfishness, and spite. Robert Trivers' theory of altrusim is tested and other "outcomes" about animal behavior are studied. From these studies, the author concludes that genetic variance exists for behavioral traits. "Thh field of behavior genetics is devoted to exploring the extent and nature of this variation. Behavioral geneticists use selection and heritability studies to identify traits with significant genetic variance... and can uncover the specific function of loci influencing social behavior." I think this book covers many important topics and is easily comprehensible even for non-biology majors.
Rating: 
Summary: Evol. Analysis - falls short
Review: I found this book to have quite a few flaws. I felt that it spent too long on some points and not enough on others. It beat cladograms to death... And didn't ever focus on Paedomorphosis. It had hte most dissapointing index and glossary i have yet had in my biology career. It was however, quite good in the origins of life and other areas - a brief overview of HOX/HOM genes. I also felt too much time was spent on Punnet squares and Mendel; these being more of a facet of genetics.
Overall it was ok, but not as good as i would have liked.
Rating:
Summary: This book is like a lazy college student's lab report:
Review: I have to use this book for my evolution class. Ideally, I think an introductory book should include primarily theory with a minimum of examples. The few examples should be detailed enough to present all the caveats of the research. In this respect, this book fails miserably. The book is packed with plenty of examples that draw from recently published papers, each of which is oversimplified in a failed attempt to reach a wider audience. The broad scope of ecology makes it possible to argue almost any point using examples from a few papers, even if the point lacks validity.
Consecutive subsections are reasonably comprehensive, but they are never connected explicitly. IMO, the math presented requires reform - not because the techniques aren't presented accurately - but because better methods are available and this textbook does not give the readers the tools necessary to generalize the math presented.
Rating:
Summary: Disheveled
Review: I have to use this book for my evolution class. Ideally, I think an introductory book should include primarily theory with a minimum of examples. The few examples should be detailed enough to present all the caveats of the research. In this respect, this book fails miserably. The book is packed with plenty of examples that draw from recently published papers, each of which is oversimplified in a failed attempt to reach a wider audience. The broad scope of ecology makes it possible to argue almost any point using examples from a few papers, even if the point lacks validity.
Consecutive subsections are reasonably comprehensive, but they are never connected explicitly. IMO, the math presented requires reform - not because the techniques aren't presented accurately - but because better methods are available and this textbook does not give the readers the tools necessary to generalize the math presented.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the price
Review: Looking at the price of this book you might precieve it as a bit expensive but don't be decieved. If you are taking an evolution course or just want to know about evolution, this is the easiest and most comprehensive read you can get. It has comprehensive chapters with page and chapter summeries and loads of examples. It made my course more enjoyable having it. If you're taking a course with this book, buy it. If you're taking another evolution course that deals with many concepts of evolution and even touches on the mathematics of genetics.....buy the book and read it.
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