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A review by lmsk
The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time by Jonathan Weiner
4.0
Compared to most popular science books (the Sapiens, Cosmos, Short History of Nearly Everything, so on) of the world, The Beak of the Finch's tightness of scope (evolutionary biology) recommends it.
I was also lucky enough to read the book while in the Encantadas - to be reading about Daphne Major and see it outside your cabin window certainly adds to the experience. (Also, wow, Peter & Rosemary Grant! Spending 20 years off and on living on that large rock / small island...)
Unfortunately, the book's topical focus is not matched by concision in editing and structure: parts are repetitive, & could have benefited by reorganization or outright pruning. Still, to balance education, entertainment, and commentary in such fine style is a rarity.
P.S. the penicillin end-note / the general events of '20-21...
I was also lucky enough to read the book while in the Encantadas - to be reading about Daphne Major and see it outside your cabin window certainly adds to the experience. (Also, wow, Peter & Rosemary Grant! Spending 20 years off and on living on that large rock / small island...)
Unfortunately, the book's topical focus is not matched by concision in editing and structure: parts are repetitive, & could have benefited by reorganization or outright pruning. Still, to balance education, entertainment, and commentary in such fine style is a rarity.
P.S. the penicillin end-note / the general events of '20-21...