The Darwin Archipelago

By: Steve Jones

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Synopsis: Charles Darwin is of course best known for The Voyage of the Beagle and The Origin of Species. But he produced many other books over his long career, exploring specific aspects of the theory of evolution by natural selection in greater depth. The eminent evolutionary biologist Steve Jones uses these lesser-known works as springboards to examine how their essential ideas have generated whole fields of modern biology. Earthwormshelped found modern soil science,Expression of the Emotionshelped found comparative psychology, andSelf-FertilizationandForms of Flowerswere important early works on the origin of sex. Through this delightful introduction to Darwin's oeuvre, one begins to see Darwin's role in biology as resembling Einstein's in physics: he didn't have one brilliant idea but many and in fact made some seminal contribution to practically every field of evolutionary study. Though these lesser-known works may seem disconnected, Jones points out that they all share a common theme: the power of small means over time to produce gigantic ends. Called a "world of wonders" by theTimesof London,The Darwin Archipelagowill expand any reader's view of Darwin's genius and will demonstrate how all of biology, like life itself, descends from a common ancestor.

Book Quality:: Publisher Quality
ISBN-13:: 9780300160413
Publisher:: Yale University Press
Date of Addition:: 12/20/11
Copyrighted By:: Steve Jones
Adult content:: No
Language:: English
Has Image Descriptions:: No
Categories:: History, Nonfiction, Science, Biographies and Memoirs, Outdoors and Nature, Technology
Submitted By:: Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:: This is a copyrighted book.