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Why Evolution Is True |  | Author: Jerry A. Coyne
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
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Rating:  125 reviews
Sales Rank: 8567
Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Pages: 304
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8
ISBN: 0143116649
Dewey Decimal Number: 576.8
EAN: 9780143116646
ASIN: 0143116649
Publication Date: January 26, 2010
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Product Description
"Coyne's knowledge of evolutionary biology is prodigious, his deployment of it as masterful as his touch is light." -Richard Dawkins
In the current debate about creationism and intelligent design, there is an element of the controversy that is rarely mentioned-the evidence. Yet the proof of evolution by natural selection is vast, varied, and magnificent. In this succinct and accessible summary of the facts supporting the theory of natural selection, Jerry A. Coyne dispels common misunderstandings and fears about evolution and clearly confirms the scientific truth that supports this amazing process of change. Weaving together the many threads of modern work in genetics, paleontology, geology, molecular biology, and anatomy that demonstrate the "indelible stamp" of the processes first proposed by Darwin, Why Evolution Is True does not aim to prove creationism wrong. Rather, by using irrefutable evidence, it sets out to prove evolution right.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 125
 I appreciate how calm and pleasant the writing is.... July 1, 2010
kalanamak (Pacific NW)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
...and how the author does not fall into insults or drama or sarcasm. I don't think this would necessarily convert anyone, but it should not offend any mature person, and his final-passage commentary on how delightful life can be to a non-believer (just a couple of paragraphs) is a sweet, understated final page.
The book is short, not dry, and a worthwhile read for all but those who cannot bear any time at all spent on an opposing view. For a subject regularly treated with fiery heat, this a chilled glass of lemonade.
 Reasonable and Persuasive June 26, 2010
John Grove (Malibu, CA)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is one of the best general accounts of the proofs of evolution for the scientifically inept or "layman" that I have ever read. Next on my reading list is Richard Dawkin's newly released "The Greatest Show on Earth".
This book addresses the hard questions of race, human evolution, adaptations, sexual selection, fossil evidence and plenty of others.
After presenting a mountain of evidence, and writing in a way that is considerate of the audience, the book culminates with an inspiring and courteous ending.
Just a theory, eh? June 15, 2010
Herbert L Calhoun (Falls Church, VA USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Well, this author has a lot to say about that and what he says he says very well indeed. Defining evolution as the slow replacement of one gene for another, each step conferring a tiny reproductive advantage. And then further breaking his definition down into six subcomponents: evolution, gradualism, speciation, common ancestry, natural selection, and nonselective mechanisms of evolutionary change, the author give us a grand tour of the genetic horizon.
The first component, evolution, means simply that a species undergoes genetic change (i.e., changes in its DNA) over time. Gradualism simply means it takes many generations to produce a substantive evolutionary change. Speciation and common ancestry are different sides of the same coin; they suggest the splitting of diverse forms. What remains common to the split-off branches is the root, or common ancestor. Natural selection is equally easy to grasp: If individuals within a species differ genetically, and some of the differences improve the ability to survive or reproduce, then the next generation will have a higher survival or reproduction rate. It will have a better chance of adapting and is not necessarily "the fittest," but is the "fitter" of its many ancestral strains. Evolution thus is not about absolute perfection, but is about the best that can be done at the time; and it is this "best-at-the-tme" that will continue to emerge. Every new structure is built upon a previous design, whether flawed or not. Thus evolution is itself not so intelligent. It simply gets the job done over time. Finally there is the idea of random changes, or mutations, and other changes that have nothing to do with adaptation such as genetic drift. Together, these components make up the tool kit that sculpts and brings into existence, new life forms.
The author then lays out the main line of evidence and the tools of the scientific method that supports the theory underlying this evidence and his definition. Describing natural selection, the primary mechanism of evolution, as one of "staggering simplicity and beauty," he weaves together many threads of research in genetics, paleontology, geology, molecular biology, anatomy, and human and animal development that demonstrates beyond all doubt the "indelible stamp" of the processes he introduces and that were first proposed by Charles Darwin himself.
In the course of a demonstration that amounts to a tour de horizon, he tells us what evolution is, what it is not, and the rules for going about testing the validity of it as a theory. Altogether it is a robust demonstration of the sheer muscle of the scientific process; and in a backhanded didactic way, it is also an oblique challenge to the defenders of Creationism or "Intelligent Design" to also submit their "so-called theories" to same rigors of the rules of scientific validation.
To his credit, (but much to my dismay) Coyne leaves an escape hatch open for those religionists who would like to embrace evolution but who are reluctant to do so because they feel that it may challenge their beliefs in god and in the creationists' own biblically inspired "counter theories." His advice to them is: that just as they have had to accommodate themselves to other advances in science, they must eventually do the same with evolution, which, as scientific theories go, is proving to be one of the most robust of them all. This advice is a brave, if not a somewhat condescending appeal. And I am not sure why an accommodation should at all be made to the "counter theory" of "Intelligent Design," which is grounded mostly in religious myth and nonsense.
Speaking personally, I believe it is long past the time that scientists such as the author should cease "pussy-footing around" and "leaning over backwards" to accommodate the nonsense dogma of "Creationism." Granting it undeserved legitimacy as "a theory" on par with "real" science does religion, our culture and science a tremendous disservice. Four Stars
Why Evolution is True June 14, 2010
Karl D. Nielson
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Excellent presentation of the fundamentals of evolution. Highly readable. Fascinating examples. Strongly recommend the book for reading and reference.
Wished my evolution class used this book... June 14, 2010
Aaron
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The evolution textbook I had to read for one of my classes was incredibly dry and made concepts difficult to follow. It turns out that I learned more about evolution from Coyne's book than from class. If there is one work on evolutionary biology to read, this is it. Coyne presents the overwhelming evidence for evolution in a clear, concise manner. At the same time, his dissection of creationist/"intelligent design" claims are so logical that you can't help but laugh out loud at their sheer stupidity.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 125
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