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A review by kevin_shepherd
What Evolution Is by Ernst Mayr
5.0
“Ernst’s lucid writing makes the subject of evolution accessible to any educated layperson . . . I can summarize my views on What Evolution Is by saying that anybody with even the slightest interest in evolution should own and read this book. You will be richly rewarded. There is no better book on evolution. There will never be another book like it.” -Jared Diamond
I share Professor Diamond’s view of this book with one small exception; I would say that any “educated layperson” who wants to delve into the intricacies of the science and come away with a better understanding of its principles should own and read this book—if your interest is only “slight” I recommend you give this one a pass. Mayr starts at square one but he ends at square nine thousand two hundred and ten.
On the Bible
To Mayr’s credit, he doesn’t waste a lot of time countering the circular and scientifically illiterate arguments of creationists and ID (intelligent design) propagandists…
“. . . there is no longer any need to present an exhaustive list of the proofs for evolution. That evolution has taken place is so well established that such a detailed presentation of the evidence is no longer needed. In any case, it would not convince those who do not want to be persuaded.”
But it’s only a theory…
After one hundred and sixty plus years of confirming discoveries, literal mountains of new found fossil evidence, enormous advancements in genetic science, and predictive computer modeling that substantiates and validates the process, it is time to put the antiquated specter of guesswork to bed.
“It is very questionable whether the term “evolutionary theory” should be used any longer. That evolution has occurred and takes place all the time is a fact so overwhelmingly established that it has become irrational to call it a theory . . . evolution as such is a fact. It has taken place ever since the origin of life.”
Questions, Questions, Questions
Here are but a few of those pertinent and burning scientific questions that Mayr addresses in this book [with no spoilers]:
1. Was there an RNA world before the DNA world?
2. What role does chance play in the process of natural selection?
3. Is Homo habilis really a late-stage Australopithecus?
4. Why has no amphibian ever successfully adapted to saltwater?
5. Why are there no woodpeckers in New Guinea?
6. As evolving human beings, is our transition from quadrupeds to bipeds complete?
7. How do post-reproductive ailments (like osteoarthritis and dementia) affect human evolution?
8. Why are all the fossil hominids older than 2 million years found in Africa?
9. Is it true that chimpanzees are more closely related to humans than they are to gorillas?
10. With over 8.1 billion humans on the planet, are any two truly identical?
I probably say this every time I read a good book on evolution, but this one is the best I’ve read so far (I’ll go back and edit all the others). 5 stars.
I share Professor Diamond’s view of this book with one small exception; I would say that any “educated layperson” who wants to delve into the intricacies of the science and come away with a better understanding of its principles should own and read this book—if your interest is only “slight” I recommend you give this one a pass. Mayr starts at square one but he ends at square nine thousand two hundred and ten.
On the Bible
To Mayr’s credit, he doesn’t waste a lot of time countering the circular and scientifically illiterate arguments of creationists and ID (intelligent design) propagandists…
“. . . there is no longer any need to present an exhaustive list of the proofs for evolution. That evolution has taken place is so well established that such a detailed presentation of the evidence is no longer needed. In any case, it would not convince those who do not want to be persuaded.”
But it’s only a theory…
After one hundred and sixty plus years of confirming discoveries, literal mountains of new found fossil evidence, enormous advancements in genetic science, and predictive computer modeling that substantiates and validates the process, it is time to put the antiquated specter of guesswork to bed.
“It is very questionable whether the term “evolutionary theory” should be used any longer. That evolution has occurred and takes place all the time is a fact so overwhelmingly established that it has become irrational to call it a theory . . . evolution as such is a fact. It has taken place ever since the origin of life.”
Questions, Questions, Questions
Here are but a few of those pertinent and burning scientific questions that Mayr addresses in this book [with no spoilers]:
1. Was there an RNA world before the DNA world?
2. What role does chance play in the process of natural selection?
3. Is Homo habilis really a late-stage Australopithecus?
4. Why has no amphibian ever successfully adapted to saltwater?
5. Why are there no woodpeckers in New Guinea?
6. As evolving human beings, is our transition from quadrupeds to bipeds complete?
7. How do post-reproductive ailments (like osteoarthritis and dementia) affect human evolution?
8. Why are all the fossil hominids older than 2 million years found in Africa?
9. Is it true that chimpanzees are more closely related to humans than they are to gorillas?
10. With over 8.1 billion humans on the planet, are any two truly identical?
I probably say this every time I read a good book on evolution, but this one is the best I’ve read so far (I’ll go back and edit all the others). 5 stars.