Product Description
Language, more than anything else, is what makes us human. It appears that no communication system of equivalent power exists elsewhere in the animal kingdom. Any normal human child will learn a language based on rather sparse data in the surrounding world, while even the brightest chimpanzee, exposed to the same environment, will not.Why not?How, and why, did language evolve in our species and not in others? Since Darwin's theory of evolution, questions about the origin of language have generated a rapidly-growing scientific literature, stretched across a number of disciplines, much of it directed at specialist audiences. The diversity of perspectives - from linguistics, anthropology, speech science, genetics, neuroscience and evolutionary biology - can be bewildering. Tecumseh Fitch cuts through this vast literature, bringing together its most important insights to explore one of the biggest unsolved puzzles of human history. ... Read more

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For nearly 100 million years, amphibians and their ancestors dominated the terrestrial and shallow water environments of the earth. Archaic animals with an amphibious way of life gave rise not only to modern frogs, salamanders, and caecilians but also to the ancestors of reptiles, birds, and mammals. In this landmark publication, one of the leading paleontologists of our time explores a pivotal moment in vertebrate evolution, the rise of amphibians.

Synthesizing findings from the rich and highly diverse fossil record of amphibians, Robert Carroll traces their origin back 365 million years, when particular species of fish traveled down an evolutionary pathway of fin modification that gave rise to legs. This period of dramatic radiation was followed by a cataclysmic extinction 250 million years ago. After a long gap, modern amphibian groups gradually emerged. Now the number of amphibian species and individuals throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the earth exceeds that of mammals.

The Rise of Amphibians is documented with more than two hundred illustrations of fossil amphibians and sixteen exquisite color plates depicting amphibians in their natural habitats throughout their long existence. The most comprehensive examination of amphibian evolution ever produced, The Rise of Amphibians is an essential resource for paleontologists, herpetologists, geologists, and evolutionary biologists.

Customer Reviews (3)

Amphibians
This volume would make a nice addition to any paleontology library. The fact it is packed full of illustrations and skeletal reconstructions reenforces this opinion.

Any college collection strong in natural history catering to geologists, evolutionary biologists or paleontologists needs this
THE RISE OF AMPHIBIANS: 365 MILLION YEARS OF EVOLUTION provides college-level natural history collections with a powerful synthesis of findings from the fossil record of amphibians. Robert Carroll traces their origin back 365 million years and follows the emergency of the modern amphibian group, using over two hundred illustrations of fossil amphibians and sixteen color plates to enhance the study. Any college collection strong in natural history catering to geologists, evolutionary biologists or paleontologists needs this.

365 million years
This book is jam packed with great information on both fossil amphibians and the evolution of amphibians.It also covers the evolution of the first amniotes. ... Read more

Product Description
From the advent of the vertical passing game to the development of ever-more-sophisticated blitzing schemes on defense, professional football in the last half century has been a sport marked by relentless innovation. For fans determined to keep up with the changes that have transformed the game, close examination of the coaching footage is a must. In the words of Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, “The film does not lie.”

In The Games That Changed the Game, Ron Jaworski, a one-time NFL MVP turned Monday Night Football analyst and pro football’s #1 game-tape guru, breaks down the film from seven of the most momentous contests of the last fifty years. With an eye toward the brilliant game plans and seminal strategic breakthroughs that revolutionized play on both sides of the ball, Jaworski offers readers a drive-by-drive, play-by-play guide to the evolutionary leaps that now define the modern NFL, as well as portraits of the seven men who exhibited both creativity and courage in bucking established strategies. From Sid Gillman’s development of the Vertical Stretch, which culminated in the San Diego Chargers’ victory in the 1963 AFL Championship Game and launched the era of wide-open passing offenses, to Bill Belichick’s daring defensive game plan in Super Bowl XXXVI, which enabled his outgunned squad to upset the heavily favored St. Louis Rams and usher in the New England Patriots dynasty, the most cutting-edge concepts come alive again through the recollections of nearly seventy coaches and players interviewed for this book.

Writing with the same vivid, passionate, and accessible style that has made him television’s go-to X’s and O’s maven, Jaworski fills in the blanks for fans who aren’t satisfied with merely dropping the terms “West Coast offense” or “46 defense” into conversation, but want to understand them fully, in context, as they were experienced by the men who played the game. You’ll never watch the NFL the same way again.



Foreword by Steve Sabol, president, NFL Films
... Read more

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The Next Generation: Wireless Communications for Multimedia and Beyond

From both a technical and a practical point of view, there is much to examine, evaluate and understand in the new 3GPP LTE cellular technology before its projected deployment in 2010. This book, written by Agilent engineers in collaboration with Anite engineers and LTE expert Dr K. F. Tsang, offers valuable insight into the LTE air interface at the physical layer. Chapters also cover the upper layer signalling and system architecture evolution (SAE). Basic concepts such as MIMO and SC-FDMA, the new uplink modulation scheme, are introduced and explained, and the authors dig into the challenges of verifying the designs of the receivers, transmitters and protocols of LTE systems. The latest information on RF and signalling conformance testing is delivered by authors participating in the 3GPP standards committees. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Superb account of LTE
This book is an extremely well written account of LTE, with the emphasis on the design and implementation of the air interface physical layer.

Chapters 1 to 5 give the reader a clear, concise account of the 3GPP specifications for LTE. Unusually for a telecommunications book, the material is extremely well written and easy to read, indicating a lot of care by the editor and authors. The information is quite densely packed and really requires previous knowledge of 3G, but is probably the most effective account of LTE that I have so far read.

My one suggestion for improvement lies in chapters 4 and 5, where I would have appreciated some use cases to illustrate how the different procedures and network elements interact. But this is not an important issue, and does not affect my overall rating.

The book really comes in to its own in chapters 6 and 7, which cover material relevant to design and implementation that lies outside the scope of the specifications. Especially valuable was a 60 page account of the characterisation and measurement of the transmitter and receiver, reinforced by signal analyser plots that illustrate what the main signal impairments actually look like. A concluding chapter describes the enhancements that are being made in LTE-Advanced, to meet the ITU's requirements for 4G.

Because of the material in chapters 6 and 7, this book will be especially valuable to those who are working on the lower parts of the LTE physical layer. However I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who requires a clearly written introduction to LTE. ... Read more

Product Description
A well-known futurist reveals a quantum change in society and points the way to the third millennium. Barbara Marx Hubbard issues a call to action for the current generation to fulfill its creative potential. Hubbard asserts that we must quickly become capable of wise and ethical guidance of evolution itself, if life on Earth is to survive.Amazon.com Review
Historically speaking, new worldviews have been responsiblefor causing major social transformations, says futurist Barbara MarxHubbard. It occurred in the Renaissance when the idea of progressthrough knowledge was born. It happened in the United States when theprinciples of democracy and freedom became institutions. "Now onceagain a new world view is arising," writes Hubbard. "This idea is theculmination of all human history. It holds the promise of fulfillingthe great aspirations of the past and heralds the advent of the nextphase of our evolution. It is the idea of consciousevolution."

Human beings have now gained the ability to shape their own evolution,explains Hubbard, and therefore the next world task is to becomeconscious of this power and guide the earth and all its inhabitantsinto survival and fulfillment of our potential. Born out of the newspirituality, which began as a path toward self- awareness, but hasquickly spread into a "social potential movement," Hubbard predictsthat the ideology of "conscious evolution" will be seen as a pivotalturning point in human history, leading us into an era of heightenedcreativity, environmental accountability, and spiritualdevelopment.

Her message is steeped in intelligent writing and persuasiveresearch. But most enticing, she writes as an optimist as well as avisionary. Rather than buy into the "old story" of imminentself-destruction, Hubbard sees the potential for humanity to create a"new story" that melds all our advances--spiritual, scientific, andsocial--into a glorious vision for the future. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

A Theological Masterpiece--A Practical Manifesto
Although the author has written a more recent book, Emergence: The Shift from Ego to Essence, the later book is focused on helping the individual, while the book being reviewed focuses on the larger matter of social engineering.

I was growing up in Asia at the time that this extraordinary person was getting herself nominated, along with Geraldine Ferraro in 198, as a Democratic candidate for Vice President, and this book serves as both a practical statement of needs and next steps to achieve conscious evolution as a species in the aggregate (see also the book edited by Mark Tovey with 55 contributors, Collective Intelligence: Creating a Prosperous World at Peaceand as a very self-effacing overview of the extraordinary life and social network of the author.I am tempted to speculate that hers was the first social network of consequence in modern times.

The core strategic idea in this book is that we are now capable of coming together across all boundaries at all locations to discourse on Conscious Evolution.

The author uses the metaphor of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly to make several points, including the need to end our Industrial Era's wasteful, destructive, and violent practices, the need for deconstruction to make way for new construction, and the manner in which the design for the new is embedded in the old.

There are a number of operational ideas in this book, and as dismayed as one might be to reflect on the fact that the author knew all of this a decade or more ago, the reality is that NOW is the time for her ideas to be implemented by organizations such as the Transpartisan Alliance.

Big Idea #1: Presidential candidates in the future should not just select a Vice President, but an entire Cabinet, each member fully familiar with the social innovations in their respective fields.Each would be responsible for connecting with, communicating with, listening to, all possible sources, and then as a body this group would create a balanced sustainable budget and campaign on the basis of proven social innovations ("what works").

Big Idea #2:The Office of the Vice President in particular should be responsible for discovering and then disseminating more broadly "what works," and for managing a Peace Room that would, for every region of the world, for every high-level threat to humanity, "scan for, map, connect, and communicate what is working to create a humane regenerative world--a cocreative society."This Peace Room would factor in time and plan for the immediate, near, and far future across all sectors, but specifically, Governance/Law, Education, Economics including Business and Philanthropy, Health including Relationships and Personal Growth, Environment and Habitat, Culture including Media and Communications, Spirituality including Religion, and Science including Technology.

Big Idea #3:We are now ready to move beyond the Liberal Arts education that is more of a survey of ideas, and into a program that fosters conscious evolution.The author details a program for a Masters in Conscious Evolution, and I find the elements quite worthy, with the program following two tracks: social evolution, and self-evolution.Three courses would cover respectively:

a. Evolution of Consciousness and of the Human Self-Image along with Cosmologies and the History of the Idea of Conscious Evolution

b.The Person in Transition along with the Planet in Transition--an important outcome of this second course would be the creation of a Global Collegium connecting experts and direct observers on all aspects of our humanity and our habitat.

c. Fulfilling our Vocations of Destiny along with Design for a Positive Future.The outcome of this last course across the collective would be the creation of a future equal to our full potential.

Big Idea #4:The news media has failed us with its emphasis on the negative and its pandering to advertising.The author proposes something I think of as the Collective Consciousness News Network (CCNN), which could be a sub-set of CNN or a new independent public network.

Pages 128-129 provides a common-sense agenda for self-governance and constructive progress that I can only list the headings for given the Amazon word limit:

1.Governance and Law

2.Education

3.Economics, Business, Philanthropy

4.Health, Relationships, Personal Growth

5.Science and Technology

6.Spirituality and Religion

7.Environmental and Habitat

8.Culture, Media, and Communications

The author excels at identifying others with very good ideas, and one set of criteria for "golden innovations" as devised by social activists Eleanor and Mark Donahue, really struck me as worthy of replicating here.

1.The innovation moves society toward the goal of a just, humane, regenerative, and choiceful future--the evolutionary agenda.

2.It comprises core values of the new paradigm that embody higher consciousness, greater freedom, and more synergistic order.These values include integrity, sustainability, inclusivity, nonviolence, gender balance, and win-win solutions that foster freedom, personal responsibility, and respect for others and self.

3.It has the potential for major social impact; it is more than a good project, it is one that can assist in the positive transformation of a vital function in the social body.

4.Its success is measurable, and it has achieved better quantifiable results than the majority of other approaches in comparable fields of endeavor.

5.It is more cost effective than other approaches over the long term and ideally also in the short term.

6.It has at least a 2-year track record.

7.It is sustainable, replicable, and not dependent on one charismatic leader or other unique circumstances for its success.

The resource section, pages 231-267, is of special value, providing detailed information about 46 organizations and then also a listing of websites and publications that are aligned with this vision of Conscious Evolution.

I will end with the observation that the author represents in my own mind the ideal, the prototypical leader of the future, a leader of ideas, of sharing, of compassion, of win-win.I cannot think of a single female leader in politics or business that can approach this author it than sense.Barbara Marx Hubbard is an original, and I can only hope that she is heard by many more in time to co-create a generation of young leaders just like her.

SIDE NOTE:If Ron Paul decides to run for President in 2012, Barbara Marx Hubbard has my nomination, with Francis Moore Lappe as the alternate, for the vital role of Vice-President to the Republic.

An awakening of awareness
Barbara writes of the awakening awareness which is occurring all around the globe.Millions of people are aware of many changes signaling what many call the "quantum leap" to a higher consciousness that will propel the human race into the next millennium.When enough humans reach the critical mass necessary, then higher planes of existence will come in to play.

Barbara is positive and uplifting with her words, and she is doing as Don Miguel Ruiz writes in his book, The Four Agreements: "Being Impeccable With Our Word."She chooses to paint a picture of what can be if we only think and act in a unitive manner, and create our world the way we desire.Well done Barbara!

Tired, hackneyed "modernism"
This book really does not hold up well in today's world. Full of late 1990s exuberance, it adheres to the mantra that progress in the form of technology is going to save us -- a precept with which I wholeheartedly disagree. In my opinion a waste of time.

A useful resource for a changing world
I found this book to be a very useful survey of the apparently large numbers of people who are seeking solutions for a more equitable world. Looking at our future through the lens of evolution and taking the long view tends to show us that evolutionary trends rooted in negentropic or the anti-entropic forces of a multi-dimensional universe are having a profound affect and subsequent effect on the thinking of many people. My only disagreement with the book is that it fails to dialogue with one of the most important negentropic forces available to humankind--the power of virtue or human excellence. Imagine talking about conscious evolution and not one word about virtue or even self-restraint. Despite these notable omissions, this book is an excellent resource for anyone thinking about the future.

Sean O'Reilly, author of How to Manage Your DIC K: Redirect Sexual Energy and Discover Your More Spiritually Enlightened, Evolved Self

It eventually gets there
The first 100 or so pages of this book nearly sent it to my shelf for good.I've never known somebody to find as many different ways to say the same thing over and over and over and over again.With each paragraph ending upbeat and inspiring, I was like "Okay, now here's where we get into the meat and potatoes".But we wouldn't.I started uttering about this new agey fluff being worthless.But by the time I finished reading it, I have to say it was good.

Of course, the core messages in the book are critical to us.They speak of a visionary truth both past and future that we all need to recognize.So, skim if you have to, but make it to the second half of the book.That's when she stops pontificating about loving the vast cosmos and starts pointing the book in a direction.But be wary that the ideas she suggests are her own legacy.They're a wonderful start and I believe are designed only to be a launching point, so don't feel bound to them as the only way through this mess of civilization we've created. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1938 the discovery of a large, unusual fish turned the scientific community on end. Dubbed a living fossil, the discovery of a coelacanth in South Africa shocked scientists around the world who thought this type of fish had died out millions of years prior during the process of evolution.

Living fossils are organisms found preserved in the fossil record, which still exist in similar form today. If the core concepts of the theory of evolution presuppose change over time, then how can these living fossils exist for millions of years remaining virtually unchanged?

Whether a shark, leaf, or crab, living fossils are a challenge for evolutionary theorists and create a fascinating debate among scholars. Do they indicate a younger earth than thought, placing the millions of years timeline of evolution in question? Or do they represent a deep mystery Evolution: The Grand Experiment, Vol 2 - Living Fossils delves into these provocative questions and more.

A fact-filled learning adventure as Dr. Werner takes you around the world on a unique scientific expedition from remote dig sites and museums to the Australian Rainforest and more.

How do living fossils impact one of the most controversial debates of our time - creation vs. evolution?

Filled with 700 color photographs and presented in an easy-to-read format. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Very interesting
This is a really good book. It is rather large, but very easy to read, and so interesting. I read it in just one afternoon. I found out a lot of stuff I did not know before. I highly recommend this book for homeschoolers and anyone else interested in the creation/evolution debate.

welcome addition to scientific literature on Darwinian evolution
I did a review of the first book in this series, Evolution: The Grand Experiment--The Quest for an Answer, which also appeared on several websites.In our homeschool, we used the book for our science last year with both Mark, who graduated in June, and Jeremy, who was in seventh grade.Also, in March of this year, I had the privilege of working with Dr. Werner as one of our speakers at the Greater St. Louis Area Home Educators Expo.He is truly a fascinating man.In Living Fossils, Carl weaves the story of his own personal journey with the results of his research.As a young man, he was raised to believe in the Bible and creation, but in high school began drifting from his religious beliefs, and by 1977 in an accelerated medical college program cast his vote for evolution.However, a year later, a friend challenged him to prove evolution.After hearing from his friend about the many problems with evolutionary theory, he was unnerved and determined to begin a quest to find evidence for and against evolution.For the next eighteen years, he immersed himself in reading and studying the topic of evolution, in the meantime becoming a physician.His plan was based on the prediction that if evolution was not true, then animals and plants would not change significantly over time and therefore one should find fossils of modern animal and plant species in the "older" fossil layers.Finally, in 1997 he and his photographer wife Debbie began visiting museums all over the world and talking to recognized experts in the field of fossils.You would be amazed at what they found.I shall leave you to read (and see) the details in the book, but in short Carl looked for and located in geologic strata which evolutionists consider as coming from the era of dinosaurs fossils of every major category of modern animals (both invertebrates and vertebrates) and plants living today.His conclusion is as follows."If I ignore the genus and species names and simply compare the fossils found in dinosaur rock layers to modern forms, I see a lack of significant change in all of the major animal phyla and all of the major plant divisions.My findings support the idea that animals and plants have not significantly changed (evolved) over time, but simply some animals and plants have gone extinct, while others have remained relatively unchanged."As with Vol. 1, there is a teacher's manual containing chapter objectives, class discussion questions, and tests for each of the 25 chapters to help in using this book for classroom or homeschooling purposes.This book is certainly a welcomed addition to the growing body of scientific literature which poses questions for Darwinian evolution.

Good stuff...
An awesome quality book, that I will definitely be using to supplement our homeschool studies next year.

Extraordinary book
Like Volume 1, this book's presentation is awesome.The pictures clear, large, and complementing the text exactly.In this book Dr. Werner explains how he came to be involved in evolutionary research and is focusing on his findings in the fossils found around the world.He starts right at the beginning of his journey describing how he started it and how he learned to ask the "right" questions that elicited the most complete answers and of course, those that led him on to further research. He explains how things are named and separated in science. He describes his findings in every branch of fossil research from amphibians to plants.Everything is presented in a very readable and understandable manner with pictures that show exactly what he is talking about.This is a book that would be welcome in a school as a textbook, or in a home as a reference book.Every library should definitely have the series.~ 5 stars.

A Beautifully Visual Education
"Living Fossils" by Dr. Carl Werner is a beautiful book.The written text is minimal, and therefore unintimidating, although it left me wanting more information.The photographs are incredible!Although some of the photos are blurred, which I feel detracted from the otherwise incredible images.It was really amazing to see how many living species of plant and animal almost perfectly resemble fossilized remains, striking a serious blow to the theory of evolution.I was truly amazed at the depth of research and information presented in such a concise, enjoyable and easy to digest and understand format. ... Read more

Product Description
Evolution is not merely the process that ruled the rise and fall of the dinosaurs over hundreds of millions of years. It also happens rapidly, so quickly and so frequently that it changes how all of us live our lives. Drugs fail because diseases like HIV and tuberculosis evolve in a matter of months, neatly sidestepping pharmacology. Insects adapt and render harmless the most powerful pesticides in a matter of years, not centuries. While the ecological impact of human technology has been well publicized, the evolutionary consequences of antibiotic and antiviral use, insecticide applications, and herbicide bioengineering have been largely unexplored. In The Evolution Explosion, Stephen R. Palumbi examines these practical and critical aspects of modern evolution with a simple, yet forceful style that contains both an urgent message and a sense of humor.Amazon.com Review
The first thing that Harvard University biology professor Stephen Palumbi wants you to know is that evolution is a fact, not a theory. The second is this: evolution does not require eons and eons to make its effectsmanifest. By tinkering with genes and rewriting the laws of naturalselection, we humans have lately been "accelerating the evolutionary game,especially among the species that live with us most intimately"--not ourpets, that is to say, but the food we eat, the pests that share that food,and the diseases that visit us.

Almost all of this accelerated evolution--which, as in the pointed case ofthe human immunodeficiency virus, occurs faster than we can track it--is anunintended, accidental consequence of some well-intentioned effort toimprove human life by sidestepping nature. One such consequence is thegrowing incidence of drug-resistant bacteria and viruses, which havemutated to survive antibiotic treatments to the point that postoperativeinfections from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus now posea major threat to hospitals. Another is the arrival of pests that haveevolved to survive pesticides of many kinds, pests that threaten cropsaround the world in a time of ever-increasing scarcity. All this, Palumbiwrites, is "evolution with teeth," and such responses to our haplessprompting make humans the most potent evolutionary form the planet has everknown. Whether we can survive our own power to reshape the earth remains aquestion. But, Palumbi concludes, ideas evolve, too, so that we can hopeagainst hope to think our way back to more or less normal cycles ofevolutionary change. Well-written and provocative, his book makes for auseful start. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Poor science or just poor thinking?
One of the stones around the neck of Darwinist evolutionary theory is that it hasn't been observed to happen.Thousands of years of intensive breeding of dogs (not even the undirected evolution Darwin described) hasn't produced a new species of non-dogs. Same with cats and other living things.

The way around the problem is to avoid defining what evolution is or broaden it to simply mean "change" so that anything that changes is said to evolve. Defined that way, evolution can be trumpeted every time a rock rolls down the hill.

It's sort of like AIDS in Africa. First you had to be tested and found to have HIV to be counted as an AIDS case. Well, it was hard to test, so instead AIDS was redefined to be a class of symptoms. If you had the symptoms, you were counted. Immediately after the redefinition of AIDS, the reports started about an explosion of AIDS in Africa.Now whenever the stats need to be cranked up, a commission meets to add new symptoms to the list and expand the pool of what can be called AIDS.

These are also the author's primary methods, used in the hope no one looks too closely at all the semantic shell games being played. At times evolution is used in a context which implies "change". Then there is a shift and the idea is blended without warning to mean speciation (Darwinism). Word meanings flip back and forth without distinction so credibility can clandestinely be transferred from what everyone knows to be true (genetic variation) to that which is unproven (Darwinian speciation).

The organisms that develop resistance to antibiotics are the same type of bacteria as before they developed resistance. They have not become a different kind of bacteria. Exposure to the solvent DMSO has made resistant bacteria again susceptible to the old antibiotics. The reason isn't certain, but it appears as if it might have something to do with an external coating rather than genetic coding. Inheriting a useful slime coat from a pool of bacteria (that reproduce by splitting) is now being trumpeted as evolution without evidence, just like AIDS is exploding in Africa without testing. An artifact of definition.

It's like how one might persistently catch colds until beginningto take vitamin C supplements. If I no longer catch colds, have I biologically evolved?The author would have you think so.

The actual criticism of Darwinism is directed at the claim new information (new species) can be developed by undirected natural selection. It just has not been observed to happen.

Now if you want to falsely represent the critics of Darwinism, you can define evolution to simply mean "change". Then every time there is change in a biological system -- bingo -- you can say it "evolved". And critics of Darwinism then can be made to appear foolish and ignorant by ignoring all the "evidence of evolution (change)" exploding around them. Deeply dishonest. Lousy thinking, lousy science.

Everyone is aware of genetic variation. Blonde and black-haired spouses may have brown-haired children; tall and short may produce children in-between, etc., etc. This is the biological equivalent of painting-between-the-lines; radically different from the production of new species and the origin of life.

The subject of antibiotic resistance is a serious and interesting one, but using it falsely to wrap around evolution as a disguising cover is disingenous; an act of propaganda, not science.

It is completely true that accepting genetic variation but not speciation is a failure of imagination. Imagination is simply not enough to do the job.

Speciation by natural selection is claimed to be a science, yethasn't been observed,isn't repeatable and can't predict results. It's not science, but a philosophy of rationalization; it allows little stories to be constructed to explain why things are without regard to reality.

Darwinist start with the question "How do I want the universe to be?" and then determine truth to fit the answer. Actual science reverses the questions: "What is truth?" THEN "How shall we live?"

Science writing that will make creationists cringe.
This excellently-done book explores the human tendency to cause explosive evolution in our environments. Don't believe in evolution? Note how effectively we've caused many disease organisms to evolve resistance to our best antibiotics, in the course of less than 100 years. Or the fact that all of our food and pets have been selectively bred to exacting standards for more than 10,000 years. If we hadn't accelerated the evolution of maize, we'd still be eating cobs less than an inch long, you know. So there. And to counter your arguments: yes, selective breeding is too evolution. It's evolution by artificial selection, which is a perfectly valid mechanism. So there again.

Palumbi is both a colorful and informative writer. He spends a lot of time discussing HIV, and why it's so hard to beat (it mutates constantly, overwhelming the immune system). I would have liked a more in-depth discussion about whether humans are still evolving or not -- I think we are -- but he only touched on that subject.Nonetheless, highly recommended.

Why evolution Matters and why you should care.
This isa great read.Steven Palumbi shows everyone why evolution matters today in real and meaning ful ways.
Two quotes from the book
".. the best education is the one that bites back, the one that shows with clarity of glacial ice that the facts and principles of the scientific world are of crucial importance to every day life.... not through eclectic recourse to scientific theory or historical anecdote.Instead, I need to do it through examples about how evolution in the world around us matters."

And why does it matter: " And if antibiotic resistance just happens, then we have no notion of how it comes to be, and no real chance to block the rise of some of the world's deadliest forms of life.But if something evolves, then the science of evolution can chart the answer to why, and perhaps prevent or change it."

Colorful take on how we cause unwanted evolutionary change
It has become clear over the last few decades that evolution can take place much more rapidly than Darwin ever imagined.The evolution of the AIDS virus is a particularly compelling case in point, and one of the focal points of this engaging book about how our efforts to control our world can bring about unwanted evolutionary change over time periods measured not in millennia, but in weeks and months.Mostly it is microbial evolution that Harvard Professor of Biology Stephen Palumbi writes about, the AIDS virus, the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, staph and other infections, but also insects and plants, particularly the insects that eat crops and the plants we call weeds, and even fish.At the center of change is the "evolutionary engine" that is continually at work adjusting organisms to their environments.Change the environment of a creature and the creature changes to keep its fit, a never-ending phenomenon that frustrates our efforts to eradicate harmful pests and deadly diseases.

Palumbi shows how it is not enough to spray our fields of amber grain with pesticides because the pests will inevitably evolve to flourish in the new pesticide-filled environment.It is not enough to throw antibiotics at the bacteria that invade our bodies because they too will evolve to flourish.Our efforts to combat the scourges of field and body are now seen as just one half of the prey/predator, parasite/host phenomenon of co-evolution.As Palumbi phrases it, "The disease dance continues, turning to the evolutionary tune, and both players must step smartly."(p. 90)We must take the power of life forms to evolve rapidly into account, and realize that they will react to our efforts.This is the evolutionary arms race, the "Red Queen" hypothesis, that keeps us (if we "step smartly"enough) and our enemies in the same place even though we are both running at full speed.This may be seen as a kind of cosmic joke at those who would find "progress" in evolution.

En route on bringing us up to speed on rapid evolutionary change, Palumbi sets some sort of record for the use of colorful language.There is some distraction as metaphors and analogies fly about like confetti at a wedding , but he is so clever that we forgive him.Some examples:

p 16: "...as unknown as the dreams of a sleeping infant."

p. 56: a trait (a recessive gene) is said to lie "dormant like thoughts on a Saturday morning."

p. 102:a virus is compared to a credit card.

p. 107: a typical viral attack on the immune system "has more plot twists than a soap opera."

p. 137: expressing the too-optimistic hopes of a five-year malaria eradication program: "...by then, surely malaria would be gone like the world's last car payment."

p. 240: "bad ideas" are compared to "anchovy daiquiris" that "live on only in a few people with fishy breath."

In short, this book colorfully illuminates one of the most significant conundrums of our time: despite our best pesticides, our most powerful antibiotics, our most clever and hopeful chemical cocktails, we are not winning the war against pests and disease.We are at best holding our own.The message of this book is perhaps we can do more if we take into account the power of the evolutionary engine, and finds ways to use it to our advantage.

Humans impact evolution
"The Evolution Explosion" by Stephen R. Palumbi, New York:W.W. Norton & Co., Inc., 2001.

By David Liscio

Anyone seeking an eloquent explanation of recent evolution as it relates to human impact -- from the use of herbicides, pesticides and antibiotics to AIDS treatment and genetic manipulation -- should find "The Evolution Explosion" a worthwhile read.

Harvard University biology professor Dr. Stephen R. Palumbi has written what is essentially a text on fast-paced evolution, in a style more akin to travel and adventure books, yet packed with scientific detail.

From the start, he explains that the task is "to bring home the equally common impact of evolution on daily life - and not through eclectic recourse to scientific theory or historical anecdote.Instead, I need to do it through examples about how evolution in the world around us matters."To make his point, Palumbi refers to the fertile soils of Kansas that "are part of the everyday life of millions of people - and billions of insects and weeds.And evolution lives among the fields and stalks the checkbooks of struggling farmers - here, like everywhere else, living in the many weed and insect species that have evolved resistance to pesticides."Palumbi notes that as long ago as 1954, a young Paul Ehrlich studied the impact of DDT and evolution of flies that would survive and resist the deadly chemical.As the author explains, Ehrlich's famous work, "The Population Bomb," is partially a result of "the DDT dustings (Ehrlich) and his future wife endured at drive-in movie theaters during Kansas' aborted attempt at mosquito eradication."

Consider this: American troops during WWII dusted themselves and civilians with a white powder.In 1944, entire neighborhoods of Italian villages were coated to keep typhus-bearing lice in check.The epidemic was soon declared dead. "But complete victory was short-lived, and only a year later, DDT-resistant insects were reported," Palumbi writes. "By 1946, houseflies in Sweden were resistant, and by 1951, mosquitoes and flies in Italy were resistant not only to DDT but also to a wide range of the new pesticidal chemicals like chlordane, methoxychlor, and heptachlor."

The author adds that both Egypt and the U.S. used DDT to control mosquito-borne malaria from 1947-52, even though the disease was already on the decline because of extensive dredging.It is yet another example of attempts by human to intervene and, ultimately, speed up the natural evolutionary process.

Palumbi, 44, who in 1996 relocated his laboratory after 11 years from the University of Hawaii to Harvard, articulately lays out the issues surrounding AIDS treatment, the use of antibiotics, and the genetic "tinkering" linked to the fight against crop-destroying diseases, all framed in terms of evolutionary speed.

The researcher most recently caused a stir in the scientific community by using molecular genetics to show that the meat of a certain whale species was contained in fish products sold by Japanese commercial markets.Although the product was marked as containing whale, Palumbi's technique showed that the specific whale was a member of an endangered species.

The book publicist quotes Harvard University's Edward O. Wilson as commenting that Palumbi "has hit upon and clearly explains one of the most important but widely neglected issues of our time in biology, medicine and agriculture: the potential for the swift evolution of our organisms when accelerated by human activity."

Bottom line: evolution is generally thought of as slow, with significant change requiring millions of years, yet human intervention can dramatically speed up the process through efforts to improve the quality of life.The benefits and risks of such intervention must not be ignored.... ... Read more

Product Description
"Fascinating, imaginative, and stimulating, The Ghosts of Evolution is a wonderful piece of writing--well worth reading by anyone interested in nature and its myriad components." --Michael J. Balick, The New York Botanical Garden.

A new vision is sweeping through ecological science: The dense web of dependencies that makes up an ecosystem has gained an added dimension--the dimension of time. Every field, forest, and park is full of living organisms adapted for relationships with creatures that are now extinct. In a vivid narrative, Connie Barlow shows how the idea of "missing partners" in nature evolved from isolated, curious examples into an idea that is transforming how ecologists understand the entire flora and fauna of the Americas. This fascinating book will enrich the experience of any amateur naturalist, as well as teach us that the ripples of biodiversity loss around us are just the leading edge of what may well become perilous cascades of extinction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

An awesome book!
This book does a great job of explaining the history of many of our common plants and foods, and why they are what they are. It's a great tool for helping us understand how foods have co-evolved with us and with other species. The story is basic to our understanding of the whole web of life. It's an awesome and extremely understandable and fascinating book. Buy it!

Ghosts, ghosts, hauntings, ghosts . . . what?
Anachronistic fruiting structures and their traditional, but unfortunately extinct, dispersers makes for a fascinating scientific/natural history topic. Unfortunately, it was Ms. Barlow who tackled this one and in the first 13 pages has made more references to 'ghosts' and 'haunted groves' than my scientific stomach can retain. To be fair, the first chapter is entitled 'Ghost Stories' - what should I have expected?! If I'd read the Table of Contents and skimmed its content, I probably would have recognized the work for what it seems to be - a knock-off parasite of the scholarly paper-back book genre. Who the hell are the Perseus Book Group anyway -- certainly not Harvard Press!

The Ghosts of Evolution
The Ghosts of Evolution is based on some very interesting observations, and the science cited is worth looking into. I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who is seriously interested in evolutionary theory.
On the downside the book does suffer from the fact that, while the idea is intriguing, it has been spread to thin. It is too long, and too chatty, nevertheless, the basic contention proposed in the book is fascinating enough to make it worth reading

Who mourns for the mastodons?
"The tusks that clashed in mighty brawls
Of mastodons, are billiard balls..."
--from a poem by Arthur Guiterman

The exciting idea in this book is that there are trees that "lament" the passing of the mastodons and the other extinct megafauna that once distributed their seeds.What animal now regularly eats the avocado whole, swallows the seed and excretes it far from the tree in a steamy, nourishing pile of dung?No such animal exists in the Western Hemisphere to which the avocado is native.(Barlow reports that elephants in Africa, where the avocado has been introduced, eat the avocado and do indeed excrete its pit whole.)

How about the mango with its pulp that adheres so tightly to the rather large pit?As Barlow surmises, such fruits were "designed" for mutualists that would take the fruit whole and let the pit pass through their digestive systems to emerge intact for germination away from the mother tree.Note that the avocado pit is not only too large to pass comfortably through the digestive system of any current native animal of the Americas, but is also highly toxic so that such an animal would have quickly learned not to chew it.Note too that the mango pit is extremely hard, thus encouraging a large animal to swallow it along with the closely adhering pulp rather than try to chew it or spit it out.Consider also the papaya.The fruit are large and soft so that a large animal could easily take one into its mouth and just mash it lightly and swallow.Note too that the fruits of the papaya tree grow not high in the tree, nor is the tree a low lying bush.Instead the tree is taller than a bush but its fruits are clustered at a height supermarket convenient for a large animal to pluck.

Barlow considers a number of other trees, the honey locust and the osage orange, for example, as examples of ecological anachronisms, trees that have out-lived their mutualists and consequently must form new partnerships with other seed distributors or face extinction.For those trees that have pleased humans, the avocado, the mango, the papaya, etc., there is no immediate danger, but some other trees are at the edge of extinction.Their fruits fall to the ground and stay there until they rot.New trees grow only down hill when an occasional flood of water moves their fruit to a new location.

Barlow also sees ghosts from the Mesozoic era.She writes, "Ghosts of dinosaurs are easy to conjure in October and November wherever city landscapers planted ginkgo trees...even when I forget to look for the ghosts of dinosaurs my nose alerts me to their presence.Only a carrion eater could find the odor of fallen ginkgo fruit appealing.Before beginning this book, I wrongly blamed the alcoholic homeless for the vomitlike stench in Washington Square Park." (p. 12)

In short this book is about those trees--anachronisms--have been without their mutualists since the mass extinction of the megafauna of the Western Hemisphere that took place about 13,000 years ago.It is a popular expansion on some original work done by ethnologist Daniel H. Janzen and paleontologist Paul S. Martin, their seminal paper appearing in the journal Science in 1982.Connie Barlow's prose is not only very readable, but is full of the excitement of scientific discovery, vivid and concrete, and packed with an amazing amount of information so that not only the trees described, but the giant sloths, mastodons and mammoths--the ghosts of harvests past--come alive on the pages.

What Barlow does more than anything is open our eyes to the ecological nature of fruit and the relationships that exist between trees and the animals that eat the fruit.We learn how color, taste, aroma, texture, nutritional value, toughness of rind, size, shape, number of seeds and how they are encased, etc.--how all these qualities of fruit have evolved to entice the animals that will faithfully distribute the seeds, but also how some qualities discourage other animals, "pulp thieves" or "seed predators," that benefit from the food provided by the tree, but do not help in its propagation.

The story of the desert gourd was of particular interest to me because during many walks in the chaparral and deserts of California I have come across this vine with its hard, dry and unattractive gourds that were never picked or eaten.Barlow theorizes that the plant is also an anachronism, and that there did exist in the past animals that found the gourds, if not delicious, at least palatable.

Another curious anachronism reported on is the devil's claw of the Chihuahuan desert of Mexico.This plant produces a most amazing apparatus that wraps itself around an animal's foot and claw-like clings to the animal, dribbling its seeds to the ground as the animal moves.There is a photo of the claw on page 151 wrapped around a human ankle.Incidentally, the text is enhanced by a number of interesting black and white photos of the trees and their fruits.

This is one of the most interesting and original books on evolution that I have read in recent years, and one of the most informative.

Seeking seed spreaders
Follow Connie Barlow's lead.Next time you're at the grocery, spend some time in the fruits and veggie section.Pick up an avocado, hefting it in your hand.You can feel the weight of that huge seed within.Compare it with the nearby oranges or apples.Mum warned you not to swallow the seeds when you were a child, remember?Trees would sprout in your tummy.No worries about trying to swallow that avocado seed, is there?While you're squeezing that avocado, think back on autumn skies sparkling with maple or sycamore seeds fluttering in the chill winds.Why the absurd difference in size?Is it important?

Connie Barlow thinks these differences are very important.As she reminds us, all those fruits have been around since long before humans confined them to orchards.Winged maple seeds can flit about on the mildest breeze.The avocado, however, clearly needs a little help finding a sprouting site.Before orchardists, who was there to help it reach one?Trees don't like to just drop seeds and hope for the best.Too many seeds in one place results in choking thicket or a sunlight-blocking canopy.The key is dispersal.Leave home, kids, and start life somewhere else.But a rock-sized hunk like an avocado or a honey locust needs a lift.Who gave ancient avocados a ride to a new home?

According to Paul Martin and David Janzen, the carriers were animals who don't exist any more.Barlow follows this pair of researchers who began a new scientific quest by wondering why jungle fruit was rotting under Costa Rican trees.All life struggles to continue through succeeding generations, and lying on the ground covered in fuzz doesn't bode success.Janzen thought there was something missing - an animal that might have conveyed the fruit elsewhere to launch the new generation.As they studied the problem, according to Barlow, they concluded that many fruits and their seeds are living on borrowed time.The animals that helped disseminate seeds for many trees are long extinct.

Barlow belongs at the head of the class for understanding and explaining how evolution works.She shows there's more to the story than tracing single lineages with subtle adjustments in limb, leaf, or mass.Plant life has coevolved with animal species.In developing defenses against animals eating their foliage, plants also needed allies to spread new sprouts.Some seeds travelled with thorns, but others were oversized for that means.Big seeds had to be swallowed, some to be passed intact with dung, but others to initiate the germination process within the gut before passage.All these mechanisms are specific, but the loss of partners have left many tree species vulnerable.Some have "second string" dispersers, but these may not be adequate.

Barlow guides us around the planet and through time, introducing us to trees, their fruits and their likely seed dispersing partners.She reminds us that North America evolved the horse, the camel and a variety of other animals that are either missing or were re-introduced.In those days, the American camel had two sets of incisor teeth.Current Old World camels have a lower set and a hard plate above.New Zealand had no large mammals.Who conveyed the seeds of fifty four species of divaricate plants around the islands?Probably the eleven extinct species of moa native to the islands.Why do some trees around the world have thorns that cease growing above a certain height?There used to be taller animals that could reach the fruits convey them away.Why did the digestive tracts of horses and cows evolve differently?They both eat grass.Barlow examines these and other questions with exquisite style, showing where the evidence shows well and where further work is required.And there is plenty for the young researcher to consider following.

If the findings of the past weren't surprising enough, Barlow's proposals for the future will leave many astounded.Especially farmers and ranchers.Elephants on the Prairies?Camels in Utah [they were there once, why not again?]Hand planted trees where the natural dispersers have disappeared?These are serious questions, because extinction isn't an isolated event.Barlow points out the "cascade effect" engendered by all extinctions.There are manyimportant reasons to read this book.It may amaze you, but be reassured you will not be bored. ... Read more

Product Description
Based on the classic History of Broadcasting in the United States, Tube of Plenty represents the fruit of several decades' labor. When Erik Barnouw--premier chronicler of American broadcasting and a participant in the industry for fifty years--first undertook the project of recording its history, many viewed it as a light-weight literary task concerned mainly with "entertainment" trivia. Indeed, trivia such as that found in quiz programs do appear in the book, but Barnouw views them as part of a complex social tapestry that increasingly defines our era.

To understand our century, we must fully comprehend the evolution of television and its newest extraordinary offshoots.With this fact in mind, Barnouw's new edition of Tube of Plenty explores the development and impact of the latest dramatic phases of the communications revolution.

Since the first publication of this invaluable history of television and how it has shaped, and been shaped by, American culture and society, many significant changes have occurred.Assessing the importance of these developments in a new chapter, Barnouw specifically covers the decline of the three major networks, the expansion of cable and satellite television and film channels such as HBO (Home Box Office), the success of channels catering to special audiences such as ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) and MTV (Music Television), and the arrival of VCRs in America's living rooms. He also includes an appendix entitled "questions for a new millennium," which will challenge readers not only to examine the shape of television today, but also to envision its future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Essential for understanding the development of TV as a business and technology
This is a generous single-volume condensation of Erik Barnouw's seminal three-volume HISTORY OF BROADCASTING IN THE UNITED STATES.It is not a perfect book--took much is left out for that--but it does provide any student of American TV with an essential overview of many aspects in the birth and development of the medium.Despite the great length of the book, even in the single-volume abridgment, there are some curious omissions, but the strong points of the book are very strong indeed and make the book one of the crucial volumes for any personal library on television.

Barnouw tells in wonderful (and wonderfully entertaining) detail the development of the technologies that allowed the existence of radio and television, as well as the economic realities that turned it into the massive business that it has long been.He also explores the political aspects of the medium, both in terms of serving as part of the Fourth Estate by providing oversight to government actions and policies, and the erosion of that role as right wing groups have undermined that role (Barnouw anticipates the ultimate melding of right wing politics and corporate owned media, while at the same time crying crocodile tears over the mythical liberal media).He is also exceptional at detailing what kinds of shows arose at what time and what the constituent factors were.Even if one has a pretty decent idea of what was happening on TV at what time, Barnouw will both broaden and deepen one's understanding of the medium.

Nonetheless, while this is an outstanding book, one can't help but be struck by what was left out.For instance, there is no mention of a large number of seminal television shows.Although one of the most popular shows on TV in the fifties, THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW with Silvers as Sgt. Bilko got no mention at all.THE TWILIGHT ZONE was one of the best-written and iconic shows of all time, yet it is not discussed at all.Though I was never a fan of GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, it was nearly as popular as THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, which receives extensive notice.One recognizes that there are time restrictions, but these omissions are significant.There is also an amazing neglect of British Television shows.SECRET AGENT MAN aka DANGER MAN received no mention nor did the massively influential MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS.

This all highlights the book's strength.It is far weaker in discussing the aesthetics of TV than examining it as an industry and as a technology.The cut off point for the book is the late eighties, yet not a single word deals with the enormous growth of television as an art form in that decade.The most important show that decade by far was HILL STREET BLUES.Virtually every series (what Barnouw would call a telefilm) in the history of prime time television prior to HILL STREET BLUES adhered to the episodic format, each series consisting of a series of self-contained segments that would resolve all of that week's action and then be forgotten by the next week and the next episode.Some prime time soap operas did use the serial format, with the action spilling over from week to week, but none of these enjoyed any critical acclaim and were at best contained rather simplistic plots.HILL STREET BLUES, on the other hand, though it tried to resolve one story arc each week, contained multiple story arcs and possessed a remarkably complex narrative style.This revolutionized television narrative and made possible subsequent shows as various as ST. ELSEWHERE, THE X-FILES, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, 24, THE GILMORE GIRLS, FARSCAPE, ER, THE SOPRANOS, SIX FEET UNDER, LOST, and VERONICA MARS (the list could go on and on and on).In other words, almost everything good on TV can be said to have evolved out of what HILL STREET BLUES wrought.Yet, Barnouw does not mention HILL STREET BLUES even once.The development of the multiple story arc series was the greatest aesthetic development not merely of the eighties, but one of the two or three most important developments ever, yet Barnouw simply doesn't notice.

But for understanding the history of television as a business and the technology it is rooted in, Barnouw's book stands alone.Most people imagine the story of television beginning in the fifties or perhaps the late forties, but Barnouw begins in the late 19th century with Marconi.This isn't just a book that any more-than-casual student of TV ought to read; it is one they MUST read.

This is an exceptional telling of the story of television.
Erik Barnouw tells the story of television from the beginning.It doesnot begin with Uncle Miltie and I Love Lucy, in fact Milton Berle doesn'tappear until page 117.This is a story of television which begins sevendecades earlier, when the first piece of the puzzle which would becometelevision was unveiled: the telephone.This, Barnouw recognizes, is thebirth of television, because it fired the imaginations of scientists andengineers, artists and entrepreneurs, and, perhaps most importantly, boysplowing fields with their horse teams.

The stories of the young geniuseslike Marconi and Farnsworth capture the imagination, and Barnouw highlightsthese heros' struggles in the wars waged by RCA against each of them. Greater attention is due Edwin Howard Armstrong, another young genius whowas crushed by the monstrous corporation, but Barnouw gives Armstrong morethan most.By the time RCA premieres television service in 1939, thereader understands that television has already had a tremendous impact onAmerica.

Television's greatest moments are here, and Barnouw does aexcellent job of devoting appropriate amounts of time to each.The authorrecognizes how interwoven television has become in our society and somechapter breaks are measured by historical events, rather than by eras oftelevision. The end of World War II and the assassination of JFK not onlymarked shifts in our nation's history, but in television as well.Whatfollowed were not historical events, as before TV, but media events.

The book also features a very useful and interesting 11-page chronology,an excellent biographical notes section, and an exceptional indexes, all ofwhich make this tremendously accessible.It is tremendously compellingreading.Don't pick it up before your favorite show, because you won't beable to put it down in time! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (14)

This book changed my Life in a Wonderful Way
This book is full of Love and Comfort and all I can say is that it makes you want to pick yourself up and never look down again!Inspirational and I feel so grateful that Dr. Abrams shared this knowledge with the world.

theology revisited
I am almost finished reading this book.I agree with one of the reviewers, who is the real author.?

Having said that, the doctor does not say there is no evil; he suggests we do create our own reality, that we are just a small part of the universe, infestimal; it made sense that he incorporates all religions, not just Christianity although his description of Jesus makes sense and he spends a lot of time on him.

This man write in an honest manner from his perspective; it does not sound new agish to me.Basically what he is saying that he hears from his messengers is that Love is the most powerful commodity, a sense of humor is good to have, and that no man is excluded from "heaven" just because he is not of the Christian faith.All great books and teachers have their place.

While he does not back it up scientifically; he is in fact a scientist.What science can explain God?The power of love?

I was happy to hear that from his perspective, and what he is being told, that Buddists get to go to a good "place" too.

If he hears it in his mind, so what? Don't we all hear things in our minds. Does that make him delusional! I would rather hear something in my mind, validate it, as I believe he does to the best of his abilty, rather than read a book, any book and take it to heart as the only truth.Michaels does not say this is the only truth; he says this is his experience.We can take it or leave it. I found it helpful, and chose to take his information and put it to use.

Finally A Book That Makes Sense For Everyone!
Evolution Angel is a book I've been wanting to read for a lifetime.This book makes so much sense out of the events we see in the world and what our place in this world, as well as the next world might be.I highly recommend anyone interested in developing their spirituality to buy a copy and maybe another copy, because if you share my opinion, you'll want to give them to your friends.

This Little Book is a Gem
Powerful and Insightful. The message here is particularly helpful for anyone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one or is caring for someone in a failing state of health. In particular I always give it to friends who are dealing with a relative who has Alzheimer's as the explanation for this form of debilitation is poignant. You will be better able to understand and cope with the situation if you see it from the perspective of the Evolution Angel.

There are topics here that may disturb fundamental religiosity. But the insights do relate on a higher level and cut through the superstitions to the corp of the goodness that organized religions were meant to teach and then leave room for a more practical expression and use of these teachings for those who are ready to grow to the next level. Want to know why we choose our lives and our stressful situations, how and why we create our own reality, or better understand the value and goodness of money? Read this book with an open mind to find out.

I have loved this book for many years and given several away to friends whose loved ones have Alzheimer's. Each time I give it away, I take the time to read mine again myself. It is so uplifting. It also concludes with a suggestion for a powerful mediation that can get you well along in your own evolution.

He's talking to himself
This man has obviously struggled with the Great Questions, as all of us have.However, he has fooled himself (and, it appears, others) that he has received answers.All of his answers to life's Great Questions prove to be self-contradictory.His angel has told him that we chose our lives (including our suffering) prior to birth so that we would learn life lessons even though we cannot remember chosing.(Tell that to the abducted and molested children - this happened to you because you chose it to happen prior to your birth.)And that's the kicker!We're not supposed to intervene and stop suffering because they are pre-self-chosen paths for learning - we might interfere prior to the lesson learned.It's a sad book, because I think the author really has a psychological issue.His angel is all in his imagination - you can tell by the writing - they both have exactly the same personality.Furthermore, his angel doesn't give him spiritually awakening answers - the angel really just confirms to him what he has "always thought for years."How convenient.Sometimes the answers get pretty convoluted (sometimes it's quite entertaining if you can get past the sadness of his own delusion).The angel seems a bit limited - claims he is one with God, yet confesses he has a hard time explaining spiritual concepts.You'll love this:the angel and God are one-and-the-same, he says there is no need for names - yet, at one point in the book the angel berates Michael telling him that they (the angels) have their own lives and did Michael ever think about what they (the angels) might want or feel?!?

Gotta leave you with two passages from the book:

"We put you all together on one planet so that you would all have certain intense experiences available to you that would satisfy your requests.It's a matter of efficiency."--Evolution Angel

"I hardly consider myself enlightened.In fact, I'm somewhat of an idiot." --Michael Abrams(This was the only lucid statement in the book.) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Evolution for Christians
This is the best short account of the subject I have read (amongst many).
Well written, in a fluent and readable style and comprehensible to the non-scientist.
Lamoureux's total commitment to Christ Jesus, his respect for the inspiration of the Bible and his acceptance of the facts of science make this a 'must read' for anyone who is struggling with the false dichotomy of conflict between the Christian faith and the evolution of life on Earth.

Wide Spectrum of Views
Although I don't agree with everything, this book was helpful because the author presented a wide spectrum of views, showing that there isn't just ONE Christian view of evolution (pages 40-41= chartt of various views and their positions).The remainder of the book discusses these positions,the evidence and problems inherent in each view.Hopefully, it will help people who reject evolution (as I did for many years until last year)to see that evolutionary views are a lot broader than what we think, that not all views are contradictory to Scripture, and that people can truly love Jesus and yet accept evolution.It also helps us to think through seeming contradictions, and not be so quick to discard ideas.It was interesting to compare this to Richard Colling's book "Random Designer" and Francis Collins book "The Language of God."I think I am more in agreement with those two than I am with this one, but I appreciated Lamoureux's presentation of a wide spectrum, and his honest effort to harmonize it all.

Great framework for Christians who accept evolution
This is a followon book to his Evolutionary Creation.It has a shortened sections from the former and some new material at the end; so if you want his latest ideas, you need this book.

His framework is excellent even if I have some quibbles about some of his Bible exegesis and some of his science.

Evolutionary Creationism
Excellent author with great scientific and theologian talent. Ahead of most conservative theologians.Answers questions that are often asked but not given adequate response in churches.Put on Kindle

Practical Guidance for Reconciling Evolution with Christianity
This book is a condensed (184 pages vs. 493 pages) and much more affordable version of Lamoureux's 2008 book, Evolutionary Creation: A Christian Approach to Evolution.My detailed review of that book is available at http://www.douglasjacoby.com/view_article.php?ID=5948.Because it is more concise, this new book is much more accessible to its target audience; namely, conservative Christians who are wrestling with the Creation/Evolution controversy.I believe it fills a much needed gap in the popular literature aimed at the same audience.Specifically, I believe it delivers the hermeneutical guidance that is lacking in most of the other books addressing evolution from a Christian perspective.

I could personally relate to the "journey" that the author and many other conservative Christians have made in wrestling with the creation/evolution controversy.I abandoned the "young earth creationist" position in the 1980's after observing evidence I considered conclusive regarding the age of the earth and the universe.For Christians who may still be pondering that issue, I believe The Bible, Rocks and Time: Geological Evidence for the Age of the Earth is probably the definitive text for reconciling scripture with an "Old Earth" (4.5+/- billion years).For over twenty years, I embraced "Progressive (Old Earth) Creationism".I did not consider evolution to be compatible with the Christian faith.As a result, I never seriously considered the possibility that secular authors might actually be right about evolution.It was not until I read The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis Collins that I encountered what I considered to be conclusive evidence for Common Descent.The fact that Collins was writing from a Christian perspective made this realization somewhat less traumatic.I read several other books by Christian authors such as Coming to Peace With Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology by Darrel Falk, Random Designer: Created from Chaos to Connect with the Creator by Richard Colling, etc.These only served to solidify the reality of evolution in my mind.There have been a number of books like these that I believe have been very helpful in demonstrating the evidence for evolution in a manner that is sensitive to Christian concerns.Yet I don't believe there are many books that practically guide conservative Christians as to how they can reconcile acknowledgement of evolution with their convictions about the message of the Bible.Gordon Glover's book, Beyond the Firmament: Understanding Science and the Theology of Creation provides an excellent start to this task, but even he acknowledges in his review of Evolutionary Creation (see http://www.blog.beyondthefirmament.com/2008/12/06/lamoureuxs-evolutionary-creation/) that Lamoureux takes the hermeneutical issue to a much deeper level.In I Love Jesus & I Accept Evolution , Lamoureux addresses the key issues in a much more concise manner.The significance of this is that he provides practical direction as to how conservative Christians can retain their evangelical convictions while maintaining their integrity with regard to the "Book of God's Works" (nature) and the "Book of God's Words" (scripture).In view of the overwhelming evidence for evolution, coupled with the relative scarcity of credible books addressing the hermeneutical issues that are relevant to the creation/evolution controversy, I consider this book to be a very valuable resource for the conservative Christian community.I can't recommend it highly enough! ... Read more

Product Description
Two physicists present a solid Reformed perspective on how to evaluate the competing ways in which Christians understand the origins and history of the universe. This book shows how to honor both the word of God and God's world in coming to a responsible understanding of how God created the universe and our world. Each chapter includes discussion starters for small groups. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A Grand Dialogue
This book is recommended reading for anyone interested in the debates in contemporary Christian circles over the origins of the cosmos. It is highly readable, informative, and gracious. The authors have managed to touch nearly every view and not be vacuous. Indeed, any reader should be able to appreciate their deep commitment to Theism and science, and their desire to harmonize a clear and articulate reading of Scripture (the book of Revelation) with what 3500 years of research and investigation have given us (the book of Nature). Step aside Ken Ham, you have met your dialectical better.

Top notch book on "where we come from"
The authors, both college professors, have done an outstanding and professional job of explaining, without bias or cheap shots, the always interesting ideas on creation. I recommend this book without reservation to all those who think they think. Those who already "know" all the answers can continue to rest assured in their comfortable world views.

Essential reading for Christians interested in origins
This book summarizes the various positions that Bible-believing Christians take on such questions as creation, evolution, common ancestry, Intelligent Design, human evolution, and Adam and Eve. The authors attempt to present an unbiased survey of all sides of the debates, but it becomes clear by the end what their positions are on certain issues. They are "evolutionary creationists," referring to the belief that God worked through ordinary, natural means to produce the diversity of life (including humans) on earth.

They establish very convincing arguments for an old earth, common ancestry, and (perhaps most controversially) the evolution of humans from primate ancestors. I must admit that I found their case extremely persuasive. As a Christian, I was initially reluctant to entertain the possibility that we humans have descended from apes, since it goes against centuries of theological teaching. But the science that the authors present--including such evidences as hominid fossils and genetic comparisons--is solid enough to make me change my mind.

My one reservation about their position is over how evolutionary creationism would affect natural theology. The Bible teaches that God's existence and power are clearly and inexcusably evident in creation (Rom. 1:20). In other words, on the Day of Judgment, no one can plead ignorance, because there is sufficient evidence for God in the natural world. Evolutionary creation seems to undercut that biblical teaching by presenting a view of creation that looks indistinguishable from an atheistic view. Although the authors address that very question (pp. 234-236), their response is rather unsatisfying. They almost make it sound as if we Christians have no choice but to retreat into fideism.

On the other hand, their critiques of the Intelligent Design theory are valid. We need to be careful not to fall into "god-of-the-gaps" arguments, which try to prove God's existence from everything that science can't yet explain. But I still think that a strong case can be made for ID, if it is framed appropriately. After finishing this book, I find myself mostly in the "progressive creationist with common ancestry" camp.

Christians--especially those in preaching/teaching positions--need to read this book. Science had radically changed our understanding of origins over the past several decades, and theologians need to keep up with these developments, so that we can reach a coherent and integrative understanding of God's Word and God's world.

HIghly recommended
ORIGINS is a refreshing and thought-provoking look at the often controversial topic of how the cosmos began. Being written by two physics professors, who are scientists and Christians, gives the book a hefty helping of validity. The book gives both science and Scripture the respect they deserve and, using scientific and scriptural examples, builds a logical case for the reconciliation of the two.
We found the text to be well written, but dense, and almost too scientifically technical for our adult ed. class. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter, but it would be very helpful tohave a leader's guide that could help the leader guide the class through the material.
All in all, excellent book.

One of the best overviews of the issue
I've read recent books by Behe and Ross, Demski and others. This book is a great overview - it's up to date and seems fair. Well worth getting to keep current on the issue ... Read more

Product Description
Addressing the controversies surrounding the evolution vs. creationism debate, Creation or Evolution? seeks to shed light on this often murky issue, without giving in to common presuppositions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Wanted: a *balanced* treatment of the issues
I find this book disappointing, not because I disagree with its thesis (although I do), but because it does not provide a fair assessment of the alternatives. The author has not even made a serious attempt to understand the alternatives.

The End Notes include just *one* creationist book (Morris, 1984). The main text mentions another book by Morris (1976), which is a commentary on Genesis. There is no mention of *any* of the major creationist journals, such as Creation Research Society Quarterly, Journal of Creation, Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism, etc. These are the major repositories of serious creationist thinking. Alexander does not interact with any of this technical literature, yet he claims to be "a great believer in reading carefully the writings of any movement to understand what claims are being made by its chief proponents". Fine words - a pity the reality fails to live up to the rhetoric. Alexander is by no means alone in this. Charges of creationist ignorance are typically based on ignorance about creationism!

About ten ID publications are mentioned (including two volumes of debates between IDers & evolutionists). Four ID authors are mentioned in the index. John Lennox, author of "God's Undertaker" (2007), gets short shrift. Alexander does not engage with the many cogent arguments in Lennox's excellent book, choosing rather to insinuate ignorance on Lennox's part (pp295, 334).

The function of a gene is influenced by the presence of other genes, so a gene in a segment that undergoes recombination will find itself in a new environment which may modify its function. According to the author, this generates new biological information. Actually, it merely reshuffles information that is already in the pack. Moreover, this reshuffling is constrained, since recombination in meiosis is not random, but occur at "hotspots" (whose locations incidentally are totally different between humans & chimps). It therefore makes better sense to view the system as having been designed to operate with flexibility but also within prescribed boundaries.

DNA is recognised as a language. Language is specified information, as distinct from Shannon information. Although it is contextual (the meaning of a word or sentence is context dependent) this flexibility is highly constrained. Arbitrarily lifting a section of text from one book & inserting it into another will not add meaningful information.

"Genetic mutations that cause changes in the sequence of the amino acids in a protein can clearly be said to be the cause of new information." If the author is referring to *random* mutations, this would be like saying that accumulation of typos in a scientific paper that has undergone repeated copying can produce a revised edition. Many mutations are not random, but occur at hotspots. This suggests the process is controlled, again evidence of design that allows flexibility within constraints.

On the whole question of whether mutations & natural selection are capable of producing evolution, geneticist John Sanford argues convincingly that they cannot ("Genetic Entropy", 2008).

Chromosome fusion & pseudogenes are used to argue (conclusively, in Alexander's opinion) for the common ancestry of apes and humans. These arguments are critically evaluated by Geoff Barnard in "Should Christians Embrace Evolution?" (2009). Anyone who compares Alexander's handling of the data with that of Barnard, will readily see that it is not the creationist who cherry-picks the data.

Alexander dismisses the bacterial flagellum argument used by IDers, arbitrarily giving the last word to critics like Kenneth Miller. This gives the impression that IDers have no answer to these critics. This is far from the truth (see e.g. Scott Minnich & Stephen Meyer "Genetic analysis of coordinate flagellar and type III regulatory circuits in pathogenic bacteria", Dembski "Irreducible Complexity Revisited", Eric Anderson "Irreducible Complexity Reduced" - just Google the titles). Those who seek an accurate introduction to ID should consult Dembski & Wells "the Design of Life"(2008), as a starting point.

Alexander invites readers to view an animation of the "self-assembly" of the flagellum. The fact that a highly intelligent scientist has figured out a way to assemble this molecular machine does not mean the system could have assembled itself spontaneously by a blind stepwise process, & in the *correct* *sequence*.

Similarly, the description of vertebrate eye evolution & the diagram on p145 convey the *illusion* of simplicity. There is nothing simple about the very first stage, the light-sensitive spot, or any of the other stages. As Behe noted, such "explanations" start with an already complex system, and continue by adding "complex systems to complex systems", explaining nothing along the way. The evolutionary accounts of the flagellum & the eye are "simply" just-so stories.

Imaginative origin of life scenarios may sound plausible on the surface, but again the devil is in the detail. The author claims that new discoveries are progressively elucidating the details. On the contrary, these new discoveries have a habit of uncovering hitherto unknown deeper levels of complexity that actually exacerbate the problems. Read Stephen Meyer's "Signature in the Cell" (2009) for a comprehensive, lucid, & non-patronising account of these problems.

Along with atheistic evolutionists like Jerry Coyne ("Why Evolution Is True?" 2009) & Richard Dawkins ("Greatest Show on Earth" 2009),theistic evolutionist Alexander's promotion of fish-tetrapod transition, & the role of Tiktaalik, now sounds pretty hollow in the light of recent discoveries of tetrapod footprints that predate Tiktaalik & the other putative ancestors.

Creationists, IDers, & critics of evolution generally, are used to being misrepresented, and accept it as a fact of life. A far more serious concern, however, is the author's cavalier dismissal of the issue of intolerance of the evolutionary establishment towards those who express doubts about evolution. His claim that "exactly the opposite is the case" is astonishingly naive. Let him *read* the *carefully* *documented* accounts in Caroline Crocker's "Free To Think" (2010) and Jerry Bergman's "Slaughter of the Dissidents" (2008) to find out what is going on in the *real* *world*!

Alexander Addresses the Great Divide
Like Drs. Kenneth Miller and Francis Collins, Alexander is a scientist and an avid theistic evolutionist. All three have written about their religious experiences from their respective personal views. Alexander however, also brings an uncommon depth of scholarly religious knowledge to bear on the subject of theistic evolution. As a result, I find his argument the most compelling that I've seen so far.

He has created a well ordered, information-rich exposition that is worthy of reading straight through from the beginning: his comfortable writing style makes it easy to do so. That said, his Chapter 7, "What about Genesis?", really gets to the heart of the matter; namely, should the Genesis creation account be taken literally or figuratively?

As Alexander points out, Bible literalism is a rather recent cultural phenomenon. Regardless, its proponents argue their position passionately, albeit without the support of history - or simple logic. In fact, if only logic were necessary to win over the Bible literalists, Alexander's argument for a figurative reading would be a slam-dunk. But the tenacity with which they cling to their belief strongly suggests a deep emotional basis rather than an intellectual one.

I am a theistic evolutionist, but I would have rejected a literal reading, even if I weren't, based on just this one verse: "And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him." (Gen 2:20, KJV)Read literally, this verse says my omniscient Lord was clueless, thinking some animal might be a suitable help meet for Adam. Simple logic tells me this is not what the writer intended to convey.

Alexander is also - and primarily - arguing the case for theistic evolution, which is doubly hard in this context. First, because evolution theory refutes a literal reading of Genesis, it is anathema to all Bible literalists - whatever their chosen appellation -- creationist, intelligent design proponent, and the like. Second, the understanding of evolution theory that would necessarily precede acceptance is woefully lacking, especially in the US populace.

In short, Alexander has chosen, colloquially, a "tough row to hoe". I laud him for his effort to combat Bible literalism, but I'm afraid that those who could most benefit from his book are the least likely to read it.

Views Scripturally Unsupportable
First off, I am an OLD-earth creationist - I believe that the universe is approximately 13.73 billion years old and the earth approximately 4.5 billion. However, I do NOT believe in evolution between species, as there are MASSIVE problems with it scientifically and this is NOT supported by the fossil record. Yet, certainly, God COULD have used and guided macro evolutionary processes to create life and man IF He had so chosen such a process, but I don't believe this is the case. One enormous problem Alexander has with his theory is that it MASSIVELY contradicts Scripture - it basically must relegate Adam and Eve and the Creation story in Genesis to either metaphor or myth. The Bible describes the Creation sequence so as that Adam and Eve not only were created AFTER all of the animals had been created, but they were also created separately/instantly as intact adults and and as based upon a separate and very different template (GOD's image) than those of the animals. Even if one believes that Adam and Eve were simply the first two humans (who had descended through a long process of lesser animals and forms) that God first embedded with a spirit - one must admit that such evolution conflicts with the Bible's description of both how man was formed and where and how in the Creation sequence this came to be. Note Genesis 1: 25-26: "God made the wild animals ACCORDING TO THEIR KINDS, the livestock ACCORDING TO THEIR KINDS, and ALL the creatures that move along the ground ACCORDING TO THEIR KINDS. And God saw that it was good (this sequence implies that all ground creatures and other animals were already created PRIOR to Adam's existence).In Genesis 1:26: "THEN (implies subsequent to/after the creation of animals) God said, "Let us make man in OUR IMAGE, in OUR LIKENESS, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." Very key are the contrasting phrases used to describe how the animals were each created "according to THEIR kinds" as opposed to how man was created "in OUR (the Trinitarian God's) IMAGE, in OUR LIKENESS."

Genesis 2:7 says "the LORD God formed the man (Adam) FROM THE DUST OF THE GROUND and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man BECAME a living being." Here we see that Adam was not already alive as a result of some evolutionary chain - God formed him AND THEN gave him breath. If Adam had merely evolved, then Eve would have been a similarly evolved female of the species, yet Genesis 2: 18 tells us Adam was ALONE: "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make (note He hadn't yet done so) a helper suitable for him" because "for Adam NO SUITABLE HELPER WAS FOUND"(v. 20).

So, in conclusion, while Alexander may attempt to show no contradiction between Scripture and evolution, he can't get around the fact that the uniqueness of Adam's and Eve's created "LIKEness," the DETAILS surrounding their creation - and the sequence of their creations INDEPENDENTLY and SUBSEQUENT to the creation of ALL of the animals, make his assertions highly problematic and Scripturally unsupported.

Reasonable Treatment
Maybe I could give this fine book a five except I'm not smart enough to process a lot of the science that is related here! Anyway, I'll attempt a humble review. In his thought-provoking work "Proper Confidence", the late Lesslie Newbigin draws some conclusions which I think also relate to Denis Alexander's excellent book: (1) "To look outside of the gospel for a starting point for the demonstration of the reasonableness of the gospel is itself a contradiction of the gospel, for it implies that we look for the logos elsewhere than in Jesus" (p. 94); (2) "Our lives are shaped not by the confidence that we know enough of the laws of nature to chart our course with certainty, but by a faith (which can always be questioned) in the one whose story it is" (p. 73); (3) "As a Christian, my understanding of the truth must be constantly open to revision and correction, but--and this is the crucial point--only and always within the irreversible commitment to Jesus Christ. If that commitment is questioned, then I am once again a clueless wanderer in the darkness, bamboozled by the products of my own imagination." (p. 70)

In the spirit of Newbigin's conclusions above, Alexander approaches the scientific task with a firm faith in God as the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. He speaks passionately throughout this book of "God's patience and his power in bringing the present created order into being through the evolutionary process." (p. 190) "There is nothing in the created order without exception that is not created and sustained by God." (p. 320) And "it is not particularly helpful to think of God as tweaking the occasional mutation here, or bringing about the extinction of a species there, because the unavoidable implication from such a suggestion is that then God is less involved in some other aspect of the process. If the immanence of God in the created order means anything, then it means God's working through all the processes of the evolutionary process without exception, in the billions of years when (to our minds not much was happening on the earth and things were very small, just as much as in the Cambrian explosion when life became more diverse and interesting (again to our minds) and as much again as in the relatively rapid process of evolution that led eventually to our own appearance on the planet. In other words, God is the author of the whole story of creation, not just of bits of it." (187)

In spite of his strong faith, or perhaps precisely because of it, Alexander comes out strongly against insecure "fundamentalists [who] do a disservice to the gospel when as sometimes happens they adopt a style of certainty more in the tradition of Descartes than in the truly evangelical spirit." (p. 70) Sometimes? His postscript is especially scathing of the attitudes of many well-intentioned Christians toward science, quoting Augustine as others such as Francis Collins have done in recent years.

On the other hand, Alexander comes out just as strong against Richard Dawkins and his ilk with their unscientific, illogical propagandistic style: "if the `evolution' word is linked with the `atheism' idea long enough, then eventually people will think that one implies the other." (p. 180)

An early conclusion drawn midway through this book states "the geographical distribution of species, the existence of ongoing speciation events, the fossil record, comparative anatomy and, above all, genomics, all provide an immense array of persuasive data in support of common descent with variation." (p. 137) Alexander moves on from there to examine different biblical creation perspectives and related theological questions, concluding with a vague but helpful discussion of the present understanding of science on the "Origin of Life" issue. In summary, definitely read this book, but you'll need to read it multiple times and/or several others as well to even begin to get a grasp of the issues.

A neat "both/and" solution


I enjoyed this book. Its great merit is that it affirms both great science and great faith. The one can, and does, benefit the other. Alexander takes us back to the idea of the scientist as one who explores the workings of God's universe. This book gets us away from the sterile either/or thinking of the evangelical atheists and the militant creationists.

The book echoes echoes thoughts from Michael Ruse (Can a Darwinian be a Christian?) who from a philosophical background shows that Christian faith and evolutionary biology are compatible, and Francis Collins (The Mind of God) who also has no problem reconciling his biological knowledge and his belief in God.

Alexander is particularly good at showing how DNA changes can generate genetic diversity which is the substrate for evolution. He also shows how natural selection is likely to be a conservative force on most occasions.

Alexander takes evolution back to its original role as a biological theory that explained the formation of new species from existing ones. As such evolution is a powerful theory, with great explanatory power. His account of species formation, and the examples provided are excellent.

Alexander is also good at showing how the idea of evolution has been exteneded to ends far beyond its biological use. The right with its belief in survival of the fittest businesses and individuals, the left with its idea of human perfectibility and inevitable historical progress, the Nazis with their idea of "lives not fit to be lived", the atheist materialist who must deny any idea of design or purpose all use evolution far beyond its intended, or valid, remit.

This book is both an excellent account of evolution, and a demonstration that science and religion can be successfully and effectively pursued together.

The two possible areas of weakness in the book are the section on the origin of life and its summary dismissal of the arguments of intelligent design.

Overall however this is a useful book, and one that allows scientists to get on with studying evolution together whatever their religious differences may be. It helps to build a very powerful bridge across the false divide presented by those who prefer to talk about, "science versus religion." ... Read more

Product Description
Johnjoe McFadden "enters new and provocative territory in his marriage of physics and biology" (Science News). His simple but staggering theory of quantum evolution shows how quantum mechanics gives living organisms the ability to initiate specific actions, including new mutations. As Paul Davies exclaims, "if these ideas are right, they will transform our understanding of the relationship between physics and biology" and may radically revise the notion of random evolution and the debate over consciousness and free will. Amazon.com Review
The hairiest heresy of evolutionary biology, the one most likely to getscientists figuratively burned at the stake, is the notion that any forcemore selective than blind chance could drive mutation. Such "directedevolution" smacks too much of a retreat into creationism for mostscience-minded readers to be comfortable with, but there's no a priori reason to reject the idea. Molecular biologist Johnjoe McFadden risks the Inquisition by suggesting just such a possibility in Quantum Evolution: The New Science of Life. Directed at a general but somewhat sophisticated readership, the book covers the basics of both standard evolutionary theory and quantum-level physics, then synthesizes them in an interesting theory of made-to-order mutation that explains enough to warrant attention and is, importantly, testable.

McFadden's writing is clear and sharp, and it shows a high regard for thereader's intelligence and patience for complex ideas. This is no airplanebook--except for those already well-versed in the latest in bothevolutionary theory and subatomic physics. The rewards of reading aregreat, and the author bows just enough to established theory that he mightmeet the fate of his intellectual predecessors. The ideas underlyingQuantum Evolution may be right or wrong, but they challenge receivedwisdom without plunging into dogmatism--and that's good science. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Interesting but still rather speculative
McFadden's ideas are still controversial even though this book was published ten years ago. The book could use some updating. At one place in the book, he states, "In case you are wondering why I haven't published my ideas ...[in a peer-viewed scientific journal] - I tried. Unfortunately, the paper that my colleague Jim Al-Khalili and I submitted in 1996 was rejected as too speculative." Actually, a paper was accepted in 1999 in the journal BioSystems published by Elsevier which is a respectable publisher. These ideas would be considered part of a larger domain generally called quantum biology. The de facto text of quantum biology is "Quantum Aspects of Life" published in 2008. An article by McFadden appears in this collection.

McFaddens's ideas rest heavily on the concept of adaptive mutation which is supported largely by the work of John Cairns on mutations in E. coli bacteria. This work showed that these mutations were not entirely random but the probability seemed to be affected by the need for mutation. McFadden attributes this to a quantum observer effect. Other researchers such as Vasily Ogryzko and Amit Goswami independently arrived at similar conclusions. However, this is still a controversial interpretation of these results.

A main issue in quantum biology is decoherence of quantum states. We might well suppose that the effects of quantum mechanics upon large biomolecules in an aqueous environment at room temperature are trivial. Nevertheless, it seems that quantum states are somehow stabilized in living systems. To quote from wikipedia: "Some examples of the biological phenomena that have been studied in terms of quantum processes are the absorbance of frequency-specific radiation (i.e., photosynthesis and vision); the conversion of chemical energy into motion; magnetoreception in animals and brownian motors in many cellular processes." So the idea that there exists a persistent entanglement of individual genes may be plausible.

It is a profound suggestion that adaptive mutation based on quantum observer effect is widespread. In considering the big questions such as, "Where did we come from? What are we? Where are we going?" many apply some sort of positivist philosophy that rests on explaining the natural world in terms of classical materialism based on the principle of linear cause and effect. Introducing quantum physics with its messy non-determinism, non-locality, and non-linear causality (that sometimes includes retro-causality) may seem like we are dropping flies into the proverbial ointment. A rather vigorous resistance to this idea is understandable.

McFadden's book is a good introduction for the layman to this strange world view. Our knowledge at any point in time is often a small part of a larger context. That larger context sometimes turns out to be far stranger than anything we might have imagined which has certainly been the case with physics and astronomy.

Magnificent!
I loved this book because for me, it had everything I was looking for:solid scientific information, clear, concise, entertaining and exciting.It gave me amazing new insight on the quantum nature of life. I was very impressed by the revolutionary ideas presented by the author. His writing ability made obscure topics easy to follow and understand (plus he does not present tedious quantum mechanical equations in the text). Fantastic reference section included too for those who want more technical information! Maybe the book is not for everybody (especially if you're only into popular or casual science literature), but for those who are interested, this book will give you a whole new perspective on the world around us.

Using quantum physics to explain evolution
The astonishing effectivity of chance that Darwin used to explain natural evolution isn't being confirmed by experiments, or by simulations.From a certain point on, in computer simulations, simple systems get simpler, the opposite of biological evolution.

John Cairns from the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston performed a laboratory experiment with two cultures of E. coli lac- and fed one of them with yeast, the normal food, while the other was served lactose.To be able to digest lactose, E. coli lac- should mutate to E. coli lac+.The author claims : "The standard neoDarwinian theory would predict that the mutation lac- -> lac+, to generate a fully functional beta-gal enzyme, should occur at the same rate for the cells fed on yeast extract, compared with cells on the starvation diet of lactose. The only difference should be that, for the cells fed only on lactose, the mutation would rescue them from starvation; whereas the mutation would be irrelevant for the cells happily feeding on the yeast extract. What Cairns actually found was a much higher rate lac- -> lac+ mutation when the cells had only lactose to eat."

Such an adaptive selection mechanism has some very important consequences.It explains the stability of favourable mutations.The chimpanzee hasn't changed a bit in the last 5 million years, while man has mutated continuously in the same period, under the pressure of changes in the environment.

Now, if chance isn't the prime mover behind mutations, what is ?McFadden proposes in this book a theory of quantum evolution."The conventional information flow inside living cells is from DNA, to RNA, to protein. (...) Quantum evolution may generate adaptive mutations by providing the required feedback loop : lactose -> protein -> messenger RNA -> gene, via conditional quantum measurement. The living cell's ability to measure the positions of fundamental particles within the DNA double helix will be determined by the composition of its environment in this case, lactose presence. Lactose arms the cell's quantum-measuring devices, enabling it to measure the position of the DNA protons that (potentially) encode the beta-galactosidase enzyme. The cell may then perform a dense series of measurements on the position of DNA bases which will perturb the dynamics of those protons, enhancing mutation rates. Quantum measurement may thereby enhance the rate of beneficial mutations to cause adaptive mutations and drive evolution."

This theory has still a lot of gaps and details to fill in, but the general principle is very interesting.

Superb writing
Perfection in scientific writing achieved by Dr McFadden.Shame I did not have a single lecture with him at University of Surrey.

Speculative, yes, but well-written
McFadden begins with a discussion of what defines life.He concludes that "directed action" is a key notion.This is something analogous to the appearance of "will" in humans or higher animals.Moreover this directed action takes place all the way down to the microscopic level within organisms.Organisms are characterized by order via directed action at scales large and small.

Prior to presenting the core arguments for quantum effects in life, McFadden reviews evolution and DNA replication.He also looks at the different theories for the origin of life.On his way toward providing his own answer, McFadden next takes a closer look at biochemistry, showing that as you drill down into particular biological functions you find they are driven by directed movements of individual protons or electrons via the electromagnetic force.This puts us squarely in the domain of physics, specifically quantum physics.

McFadden presents his own very readable summary of QM, leaning heavily on the two-slit experiment as a heuristic device.His strategy is to show that quantum measurements are happening at the micro-level in living systems.He gives an example of an enzyme action that ultimately depends on a single proton, which we know must be in a superposition of states absent measurement.So, a living system must be measuring itself.His view is that the classical world depends generally on continual measurement for its manifestation.This discussion leads to the next key tool McFadden wants to use:the quantum Zeno effect (and inverse Zeno effect).This, he speculates, is what is responsible for directed action at the micro-level.

With the review of QM in hand, he returns to a discussion of the origin of life and the question of how the first replicator was assembled (given the extreme improbability of it happening by chance).He theorizes that quantum superpositions could allow exploration of a large space of possibilities at the scale of an amino acid peptide chain.But the chances still seem small of making the self-replicator.However, harnessing the (inverse) Zeno effect could increase the probability.And, once you have a self-replicator, can we assume natural selection can do the rest of the job?No, there is still a big challenge here in getting a simple replicator to build the complex machinery of a cell.Moreover, in computer simulations, replicators tend to generate simpler systems, not more complex ones.

McFadden speculates that if a system on the edge of the classical frontier repeatedly fell back into quantum superposition and took advantage of the inverse quantum Zeno effect, this could have added complexity.Still, we haven't been able to do anything like this in the lab.

And yet, the case seems relatively more compelling that non-trivial quantum effects are being exhibited in living cells (even if they are difficult or impossible to directly detect).To give credence to the existence of these effects one can estimate that decoherence times would be lengthy enough for them to occur in the relevant context.Also, important to note is that it is only coherent systems are sensitive enough to be affected by the weak electromagnetic fields which are known to exist in the cellular realm.McFadden concludes the quantum/classical barrier exists at the sub-cellular level of biology, and that organisms are comprised of "quantum cells".

Getting back once again to the definition of life, McFadden says the cell's ability to "capture" low entropy states to maintain order at the microscopic level via (internal) quantum measurements and the quantum Zeno effect is responsible for the distinctive directed action which characterizes life.

In the final chapters, McFadden first reprises the discussion of the role of quantum effects in DNA mutation and adaptive evolution.Then, he closes with his theory of how quantum effects in the brain may be linked to human will and consciousness.

On the one hand, this book consists of speculation stacked on speculation.On the other hand, each step progresses from features of physics or biochemistry that we know to be true.Between the spheres of quantum physics and the human mind lies the world of biology: I continue to look for arguments and evidence that biological systems have features that can bridge these realms.This book was a fine effort along this line.
... Read more

Product Description
A vivid and very human story of the Galápagos Islands--the key locale of every major turning point in evolutionary theory--from the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Summer for the Gods.

More than any other place on Earth, the Galápagos Islands are the workshop of evolution. Isolated and desolate, they were largely overlooked by early explorers until Charles Darwin arrived there in the 1830's. It was Darwin who recognized that Galápagos' isolation and desolation were advantages: the paucity of species and lack of outside influences made the workings of natural selection crystal clear. Since then, every important advance and controversy in evolutionary thinking has had its reflection on the Galápagos. In every sense--intellectually, institutionally, and culturally--the history of science on these islands is a history of the way evolutionary science was done for the past 150 years.

Evolution's Workshop tells the story of Darwin's explorations there; the fabulous Gilded Age expeditions, run from rich men's gigantic yachts, that featured rough-and-ready science during the day and black-tie dinners every night; the struggle for control of research on the Galápagos; the current efforts by "creation scientists" to use the Galápagos to undercut evolutionary teaching; and many other compelling stories.Amazon.com Review
When Europeans first explored the Galapagos Islands, a rugged archipelago 650 miles off the coast of Ecuador, they were astounded by theforbidding landscape and the odd behavior of the animals and plants theyfound there. "The place is like a new creation," wrote ship captain GeorgeAnson, a nephew of the poet Lord Byron. "The birds and beasts do not getout of our way; the pelicans and sea-lions look in our faces as if we hadno right to intrude on their solitude; the small birds are so tame thatthey hop upon our feet; and all this amidst volcanoes which are burningaround us on either hand."

Others who followed, like the onetime sailor and writer Herman Melville,took a dimmer view, calling the place "evilly enchanted ground." Whateverthe sentiment, the Galapagos attracted generations of scientists, who,following the example of Charles Darwin, traveled there to test theories ofspeciation, adaptation, migration, and selection. Their work in the fieldhelped overturn the prevailing orthodoxies of special creation, writesEdward J. Larson in his vigorous history of the islands and their role inthe development of modern biological science. Their work also changed theface of the islands themselves, as hundreds and thousands of plants andanimals were killed or removed for collections far afield, with a singleexpedition taking more than 10,000 birds and skins.

Today, the islands face other threats, as tens of thousands of ecotouriststravel there each year, disturbing sensitive environments, and as alienplant and animal species are introduced. Still, Larson notes at the closeof his fine book, "the archipelago's ecosystem has proved surprisinglyresilient in the past," and conservation measures may yet be found topreserve the islands' "age-old solitude." --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Exellent book
I found not only interesting the book but also very well organize and clearly written.

not much that I cared about in book
The subtitle is slightly misleading: God and Science on the Galapogos. The subtitle was probably created to cater to the interest in religion vs. science but that topic was explored very little. It was more just the history of the Galapagos. If you're really interested in the history of that archipelago, then this book is exactly what you want. But for me, I really don't care about every person that ever went to visit that island.

There are a few things I did take from the book. Currently, scientists are trying desperately to save the Galapagos' from humanity and preserve its uniqueness. The irony of it, is that the ecology-loving scientists are the ones that once encouraged the tourism of the islands that have lead to supposed ecological disaster there. They had some vision of a utopia where people would learn how precious the earth is and work to conserve it, but instead Ecuadorians have siezed the island for economic pipedreams, the residents not caring to preserve every species there to their expense.

Darwin and the Buccaneers
If you're looking for a book about the voyage of the Beagle and the development of Darwin's theories, this book is likely to disappoint. Written in an academic tone and with no sense of narrative, it's hard to believe the author won a Pulitzer Prize (different book). However, if you want to learn about buccaneers and the Galapagos Islands you will find more of the following: "At the time, buccaneers held a shifting status somewhere between adventurers and thieves."

The Enchantment of Evolution
Must reading for any Galapagos traveler or historian of science. Starting with a contrast of Melville's description of Galapagos as a hell and Darwin's own explorations, Larson traces the history of the idea of evolution, both scientifically and on popular thought.By focusing on the Galapagos, Larson provides a readable account of both how studies in the Galapagos shaped evolutionary thought (From Darwin to Lack to the Grants) but also how the social climate of the day, influenced the explorers, for example how the exuberance of Teddy Roosevelt, affected explorers of the day, or how Harvard zoologist Louis Agassiz influenced the California collecting spree.

Larson also reflects on the effects of civilization on the Galapagos, from turtle collecting, to the World War II airstrip at Baltra, to current tensions between protection, locals, and harvest. Science has not always been on the side of protection, for example, "Save them for science" became the cry (at the turn of the last century), even if it meant capturing or killing the last on in the wild. The drawings and photographs complement the text, and include such treats as a photo of Louis Agassiz, sketches from Darwin, and a photo of 250 tortoise specimens in the California Academy of Sciences.I would also recommend Weiner's "The Beak of the Finch", and Darwin's "The Voyage of the Beagle" has a chapter on the Galapagos.Incidentally, the title of the book is probably derived from Darwin's own description of the Galapagos' volcanic hills and craters "From their regular form, they gave the country a workshop appearance".

Saving Lonesome George
The history of a science can teach you much about the process of science and scientific thinking.Evolution marks the beginning of modern biological thought, and the Galapagos Islands played a major role in the development of evolutionary ideas.Edward Larson shows us how the archipelago was differently perceived by so many people from Melville and Darwin in the mid-1800s to later visitors up until the present day.While it would probably be confusing to learn about evolutionary theories from this book, Larson brings to light how some of those theories developed with respect to findings from the Galapagos.By doing this, one shares in the same act of discovery that has so enchanted the various researchers who have come to the islands.All the while, it is a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it those interested in a fascinating narrative about the history of evolution. ... Read more

Product Description
Though it is the fastest-growing religion in the world, Islam remains shrouded in ignorance and fear for much of the West. In No god but God, Reza Aslan, an internationally acclaimed scholar of religions, explains this faith in all its beauty and complexity. Beginning with a vivid account of the social and religious milieu in which the Prophet Muhammad forged his message, Aslan paints a portrait of the first Muslim community as a radical experiment in religious pluralism and social egalitarianism. He demonstrates how, after the Prophet’s death, his successors attempted to interpret his message for future generations–an overwhelming task that fractured the Muslim community into competing sects. Finally, Aslan examines how, in the shadow of European colonialism, Muslims developed conflicting strategies to reconcile traditional Islamic values with the realities of the modern world, thus launching what Aslan terms the Islamic Reformation. Timely and persuasive, No god but God is an elegantly written account of a magnificent yet misunderstood faith. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (128)

Enlightening
Everyone must read this book to clarify misconceptions of Islam and to understand why these misconceptions began.Brilliantly written and narrated.

History in a Very Interesting Presentation
For those of us who are not Muslim there are many mysteries about the faith. It is to be expected, given the age of Islam, that there are different branches with slightly different beliefs. If you are familiar with Christianity, the analogy of the hundreds of Protestant sects and Catholicism, can give a little insight into the diversity of beliefs in Islam. Most other great religions have also branched out a bit over time if you take a look at them in detail.

I know that you are saying " Religion is Borrrrrrring", but you really have to forget any prejudice you may have and read this.

This book is a scholarly look at Islam, but is far from being dry in content. It is very readable and has excitement, war and intrigue. Do you know what history says Mohammed was told by God and when he was told? Do you know about his early life and how he was orphaned? Do you know that in his early adult life Mohammed worked for his uncle supervising trade caravans from their home city of Mecca.

Much of what you have heard and you think you know is wrong. Yes, even if you are Muslim you will learn some things form this that this excellent researcher has gathered together.

Everyone should read this book to know what all the rave reviews have been about. You may not agree with all that Aslan presents, because there are always different interpretations to anything. If you are Shia or Sunni how much do you really know of the history of your own sect and the earliest split in your religion. No side is favored in Aslan's story of the historical documents and events and he seems to present a fair (to everyone involved) version of the past which only makes me want to read more.

Aslan's view of the future of Islam leaves the reader with a hopeful feeling of a world more united and more tolerant.

a lie no matter how well spoken is still a lie
Among the many misconceptions this book paints, none more misleading than describing Medina under Muhammad as some kind of proto-democratic experiment instead of the militaristic dictatorship it really was (if we are going to base our analysis on the Islamic sources themselves).

A propaganda piece for the sharia proponents in the West.

Reza is still welcomed in Tehran, I wonder why...

Superb work!
Reza Aslan has done what very few have been able to do before.He has made it possible for a common person to understand some of the intricacies of the great Islamic Civilization spanning a millenium and half.This is one of those books that I literally did not want to end.

If you want to understand the Islamic world in the context of the west, please read this book carefully.

Interesting But Won't Bear Much Fruit
Aslan takes up an admirable task as he tries to form a "reasonable interpretation" of Islam.His version of Islam is modern and realistic, it is something that the world can live with and get along with-- and I can get along with and in the world. He recounts the history of Islam well and in an interesting way.This is not an academic book but it is well researched and written.It mixes his personal stories and experiences, with research and current events/concerns.

However, his book is really just preaching to the choir.It will sit well with open-minded non-Muslims, and western-minded Muslims as well.But it will not do much to settle the conflict between the 'West' and 'Islam.'The Muslims who have a problem with the the modern western world, the fundamentalists that give Islam a bad name and strike fear (or hatred) in the hearts of westerners, will not accept this book and its ideas at all.Aslan's project is to interpret Islam, which is something that the fundamentalists see as an effacement of the true religion and true word of God.Unfortunately, it is exactly this kind of 'manipulation' of Islam that those fundamentalists are against.

That being said, the book is worth reading because it does give a good introduction to the history of Islam and its current internal conflicts.It will help moderate Muslims and open-minded non-Muslims understand what Islam can be.But I doubt it will help ease the tensions in the world today. ... Read more

Product Description
The Evolution of Modern States is a significant contribution to the literatures on political economy, globalization, historical institutionalism, and social science methodology. The book begins with a simple question: Why do rich capitalist democracies respond so differently to the common pressures they face in the early twenty-first century? Drawing on insights from evolutionary theory, Sven Steinmo challenges the common equilibrium view of politics and economics and argues that modern political economies are best understood as complex adaptive systems. The book examines the political, social, and economic history of three different nations - Sweden, Japan, and the United States - and explains how and why these countries have evolved along such different trajectories over the past century. Bringing together social and economic history, institutionalism, and evolutionary theory, Steinmo thus provides a comprehensive explanation for differing responses to globalization as well as a new way of analyzing institutional and social change. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Important and timely
This is an ambitious and important book.To begin with, Steinmo does
something that few scholars attempt today - he writes a careful and detailed
comparison of three quite different countries (Sweden, Japan and the United
States).I can think of no book written in the past many years that even
attempts such a broad comparative overview of important countries in three
different continents.Sadly, political science has increasingly turned
toward more and more narrow and static analyses - even while we complain
about this trend. In a real sense, "The Evolution ofModern States" is
written in the grand tradition of comparative politics.

At the same time that it is ambitious, Steinmo's book is very well written
and remarkably easy to follow.

The book starts out with a simple puzzle:What happened to the 'Race to the
Bottom?' Drawing a fascinating comparison to the way different species are
adapting to Global Warming, Steinmo contends modern nation states are also
adapting in quite different ways to the pressures they face in the early
21st century.One of the first and most interesting points Steinmo makes is
that (contrary to many people's expectations), the most heavily taxed
country in the world, Sweden, is doing remarkably well in an increasingly
competitive e and 'globalizing' world.His analysis also helps us
understand why the US and Japan are struggling, despite their low taxes and
small (inequitable) welfare states. He shows how these once optimistic and
growing nations have turned away from their egalitarian traditions and how
this growing inequality breeds growing distrust.Though he does not discuss
the Tea Party movement in the US, it is obvious how his analysis can be used
to explain its rise.The analysis of Japan's political turmoil is as sad as
it is illuminating.

Steinmo's introduction to and use of evolutionary theory is fascinating and
controversial. He demonstrates convincingly that political economies can be
understood as 'complex adaptive systems' that evolve in the context of a
changing international political economy. The analysis thusbrings together
the latest advances in evolutionary theories from psychology, anthropology
and political science and offers a new way of understanding political
evolution.

This book makes an important contribution not only to political science
and comparative politics, but to our basic understanding of historical
change.
... Read more

Product Description
A creationist response to the National Academy of Science’s Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science. The latter, distributed nationwide to thousands of public school teachers, is an effort to saturate students with evolutionary concepts. Refuting Evolution is a cogent rebuttal, carefully examining the points raised in the NAS booklet: science and religion; natural selection; bird evolution; astronomy; the age of the earth, etc. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (93)

Evolution is true
Science in no way refutes evolution, if used correctly. The authors of this book don't have an inkling of what 'science' is. If you're thinking about buying this book, do yourself a favor and go buy "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin. That is, if you care about the truth. This book is full of lies. What it preaches is blatantly wrong and you would be a fool to believe a word of it.

Life sprang from nothing- right genius!
One strand of DNA holds as much info a set of 26 book encyclopedias. And not random info either. Change one sentence and the whole thing falls apart. Yet idiotic evolutionists believe DNA magically came into existance by random chance and then went through billions of positive mutations to advance to all the different stages and types of life today.

One genetetist said that's about as likely as a tornado going through a junk yard and producing a fully assembled and functioning 747 aircraft.

Sorry, I don't have enough faith to believe in evolution; I'm only a Christian.

Scientific Foundation for Faith
If you want data and science to help enlighten technical-minded friends and family about the Truth, this book will help.It still takes Faith though, but no more Faith than arguing that evolution has occurred, as humanists proclaim.There is no absolute physical Proof either way: either you have Faith that Creationism is the answer, or that Evolution is the answer...

Very weak
I'm not a scientist.Science, biology and evolutionary biology are not my fields, so I leave the science to the professionals.What I would like to do is point out some of the author's weaknesses in style and argument.

The first thing that caught my eye and really surprised me was the authors frequent use of exclamation points within this text.To be honest I was shocked to see an exclamation point at all in a supposed "scientific critique".You don't really even have to be in a scientific field to realize the commonly known fact that exclamation points are not used in scientific works.Anyone taking a comp 101 class can tell you that you don't use emotive punctuation in an argumentative work.The use of exclamation points was so frequent that I almost expected to see the :) punctuating one of his really good points.I wonder if there was just no editorial process or what the author was thinking, but I found that to be very weak and had the book not been so short I have would have simply put the book down after seeing the first exclamation point.

Next throughout the book the reader will find short quotes from a multitude of sources and then the author will draw extremely broad conclusions from those very narrow sources.He does this throughout the work.At one point he uses a C.S. Lewis quote to allude to the "fact" that if there is no designer then our "ability to reason would be called into question" (P. 28).This is of course absurd and completely self-serving extrapolation of a statement by someone who probably agrees with the author's world view, but of course it doesn't stand to reason that without their conception of god physics and all laws that govern the universe suddenly cease to exist.He also takes a quote from Psalms 16:8 "I shall not be moved" and from that simple quote decides its true meaning is that "the Earth . . . will not stray from the precise orbital and rotational pattern God has set for it."(P. 101)This is indicative of the entire work.It would be laughable if it were not taken seriously by the author and apparently some readers.The author will take small and seemingly benign quotes and then stretch them so far out of context that it is amazing.

Next his arguments are entirely inconsistent throughout the entire work.When attempting to discredit one aspect of evolution he will work from the assumption that everything on Earth has remained constant such as when he speaks of the amount of Helium still trapped in the ground, but then when it no longer suits his case he will switch to arguing constant changes in the Earth such as when talking about sedimentation and radio carbon dating.The author has no compunction about making 180 degree turns and arguing seemingly at cross purposes from previous or future sections of his own book.I guess it does make one's argument simpler when he isn't constrained by consistency.

Next he argues that the global flood is a good explanation diversity of species and their dispersal throughout the world.Of course this is probably the most absurd statement of all.Plus I love the little picture the author has on page 46 of an ark and what appears to be a man and a dinosaur like creature outside of the ark.First off the author posits that there would be about 8,000 (16,000 individuals) different species that would have to be on the ark and that would not be a problem.I will not argue about insects and other small creatures that number well into the hundreds of thousands, but will let the author's number stand.The amount of food that would have been necessary to store on this ark would have been enormous.The food supply alone would have filled up a craft the size of the ark.Not to mention the logistics of about 10 people feeding, watering and cleaning up after 16,000 animals is beyond reason.The whole notion is childish and immature, and for this type of argument to be found in a "scientific work" is ludicrous.Not to mention the fact that there is no way that this author or anyone else would ever be able to find a credible scientist that would say that any animal population would be viable with only two breeding individuals left in the species.Not to mention the fact that carnivores would have nothing to eat, or whatever they did eat would mean the extinction of a species.Absurdity thy name is Global Flood Model.

Next there are a whole lot of little things peppered throughout this book like on page 85 were he basically credits evolutionists with the rise of the Nazis.I loved that one.Or how he continuously calls some of the great scientists of the past like Galileo and Newton creationists even though that term did not even exist.Just because someone is (or was) religious does not make them a creationist.Although I can certainly see why the author feels the need to piggyback on these great men since he certainly needs all the legitimacy he can muster from anywhere he can get it.I also like where on page 22 he decides that anyone who considers themselves a Christian or religious and believes in evolution are not in actuality religious or Christian since to believe that "[a] God who created by evolution is, for all practical purposes, indistinguishable from no God at all."I found that statement to be the most arrogant and absurd statement from a book filled to overflowing with such statements.How this man can decide to take on the authority to tell hundreds of thousands of people that they are not Christians is beyond me.

This is the weakest and most amateurish piece of propaganda I have yet come across.The author is arrogant, completely inept at creating sound, logical arguments and totally irrelevant.If this is representative of the creationists best and most talented then they are woefully in need of drastic changes.After going back and reading over my own review I feel angry that I allowed this author to waste so much of my own time with this ridiculous book.I am glad that I at least bought a used copy so this poor excuse for an author didn't receive any compensation from me.

Do not buy this book and do not waste your time with this book.

A good, firm rebuttal.
A previous reviewer makes the unbelievable statement "Evolution is bigger than religion!". Now, this is wilful ignorance. Evolution IS religion masquerading as science! It is a branch of Historical Science and as such is based on unprovable assumptions (as is Biblical Creation, I might add).
Dr. Sarfati gives a clear rebuttal to the pro-evolution arguments that are being indoctrinated to our children in our schools.
I would be glad to see this in our school libraries, but it is even better in the home. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description

Referring to Lewis Carroll's Red Queen from Through the Looking-Glass, a character who has to keep running to stay in the same place, Matt Ridley demonstrates why sex is humanity's best strategy for outwitting its constantly mutating internal predators. The Red Queen answers dozens of other riddles of human nature and culture -- including why men propose marriage, the method behind our maddening notions of beauty, and the disquieting fact that a woman is more likely to conceive a child by an adulterous lover than by her husband. Brilliantly written, The Red Queen offers an extraordinary new way of interpreting the human condition and how it has evolved.

Customer Reviews (85)

excellent perspective on the origins of sex and altruism
A convincing evolutionary perspective on the origins of sexual reproduction and many behaviors that do not immediately seem understandable in terms of "survival of the fittest", including altruism. Easy to read for the layman, but still well-supported by references. A must-read for anyone interested in evolution or the philosophically inclined.

Packed with insights, top shelf book for evolutionists
Ridley answered so many excellent questions I hadn't even thought to ask.Why is there sex at all instead of more clone-type replication?Why are there normally two genders, not three or a dozen?Under what circumstances in the wild do you find polygamy, cuckoldry, monogamy, infanticide, and polyandry?What dimorphic differences do you find between males and females, under different circumstances.Why do you often find females, in the wild, distributed in relation to food sources -- and then males distributed in relation to females?Chapter by chapter, this book is rich, organized, and engaging.In the last hundred pages Ridley turns to humans, and although more speculative, he offers even more extraordinary insights.OK, the occassional sentence is convoluted and there is a little repetition, but this is a masterful book.Every chapter -- practically every page -- is rewarding.

After all, at the core of natural selection you'll find males and females (and sometimes others) competing with, cooperating with, tricking, confusing, manipulating, and using one another.This applies to male-female relationships (of course), but also male-male,and female-female ones.The complexities of their strategies are unveiled with the full treatment: Competing theories, evidence for and against, and then a summary or synthesis to put it in perspective.

All this puts The Red Queen square on my top shelf with The Origin of the Species, The Selfish Gene, The Ancestor's Tale, Social Evolution, and the Moral Animal.Not an easy read, perhaps, but if you want to understand natural selection, you must have this book.

A good but dangerous book
The plot is like this: to adapt to the enviornment, organisms need to produce progenies that bear genetic materials appropriately different from the parents.The best way is clearly not by pure mutations but by exchanges of genetic materials because this is more efficient in preserving the good mutations.Very soon, the phenomenon of parasitism emerges and you need genetic polymorphism to fight against this.Sexual reproduction also enhances the fight against parasitism greatly (see Ch.3).

Meanwhile (the plot now gets a bit more complicated), a very important form of symbiosis develops: the presence of mitochondria in complicated cells (and similarly chloroplasts in some other complicated cells).These organelles (mitochondria and chloroplasts) retain their own genetic materials.These genetic materials will tend to fight against those of other foreign organelles during sexual reproduction.It is a bit complicated - but this is the reason why there are males and female organisms (see Ch. 4).

Once you have male and female genders, males and females will try to attact each other.They attract each other purely for procreation.They also develop lots of features and behaviors to increase the chance of reproducing successfully (Ch 5,6 and 7).Males and females also thus possess different minds (Ch. 8).

Modern human beings, because of the inheritance of the above, develop various interesting behaviors, with the purpose and aim of producing progenies successfully (Ch. 9).And believe it of not, that's how human intelligence evolved (to be smart to outwit competitors - Ch. 10).

But the story has only BEGUN - and the book stops when things are starting to get really interesting - namely: intelligence, merely a by-product of sexual selection, is the most beautiful thing in the universe.Without being aware of this, this book is dangerous.The astute reader should start contemplating at the end of the book how our intelligence has outwit natural selection, resulting in some of the greatest achievements ever present on earth.

Well worth the read
I am not a biologist, anthropologist, genetecist.... or, indeed, any sort of 'ist' in the scientific sense. This book covers some very complex biological issues, but it does so in a way that can easily be grasped by the lay-person... perhaps I don't understand all the minutiae of the processes and principles being discussed, but at least I am led by Mr Ridley to a basic understanding of those things.

I read a second book by this same gentleman (I forget the title for the moment) and I didn't enjoy it quite as much, but this book is a great read for the non-scientist who wants to learn more.

I think, even though I am admittedly not as long-steeped in the studies of Mr Ridley, not always convinced by everything he suggests but I have no doubt that Mr Ridley is enough of a scientist to allow for the possibility of error or in his conclusions. I have read this book several times already and will read it again.

C. John Thompson

Fantastic book
Ridley is one of the best writers on this subject.It is delight to read!Whether you are a novice or well versed on the subject you will find the facts interesting and easy to follow.
Highly recommended!!
... Read more

Product Description
An inspiring book about the power and the passion of science

Few have weighed in on the nation's contentious debate over evolution as effectively as Kenneth R. Miller. In Only a Theory, Miller-the highly regarded scientist who offered expert testimony at the 2005 trial over the teaching of evolution in Dover, Pennsylvania-eloquently shows how "Intelligent Design" collapses at the very moment one begins to take it seriously. Miller shows that the attack on evolution is a broader assault on the skepticism and reason that have fueled America's remarkable scientific advances, and offers an encouraging prescription for how we can save the nation's "scientific soul" to which we owe so much. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (64)

FS versus ID

This book is interesting from the point of view that explores the vocabulary intrinsic to the fundamentalist scientific (FS) meta narrative (or frame using Lakoff's term) in order to pick apart the attempt to use that vocabulary to build a competing meta narrative under the name of Intelligent Design (ID). The quality of the attempt to describe an ID narrative is significantly wanting since there is no depth to the use of FS vocabulary - ID does not address empirical or causal reasoning - but instead it is easy to map the "new" terminology of ID to the "old" terminology of Creationism - even as word for word replacement. Hence, the strong conclusion that ID is not FS and the courts were right to reject it on these grounds. The second thesis of the book is that FS is the main historical vocabulary / meta narrative of the US and so the "soul" of the country is dependent on the battle going in favor of FS over ID (aka Creationism) which is easily described as a counter meta narrative that would lead the US into the dregs of third world ism. This second thesis does not at all follow from the success of the first, nor does it address the historical issues regarding the early colonies as attempts to establish God's kingdom(s) on earth, the Scottish Enlightenment as essentially a vocabulary and meta narrative that more easily fits the ID meta narrative (American Deism), nor does it address the sort of complaint we see in Peter Hitchens' book "The Rage Against God" which offers insights into why were the "soul" is concerned a narrative such as ID may well be more vital to a nation's well being.

Good science and Good religion can enhance each other
"Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World" by Michael Dowd writes how to make sense of both the science of evolution and how that is only God's way of creating more complex and cooperative life.But, you have to read it for the details.Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World

Excellent review of evolution v. pseudoscience
Hard to give this a 5, but way more than a 4.
There are many good recent books updating the fascinating story of life on earth, including those by Prothero, Carroll, Shubin, Coyne, etc. They briefly dismiss Creationism/ID as the ideological pseudoscience it is, and concentrate on the fun part, the real science.

Miller takes the harder path, which shouldn't even be necessary in the 21st century, by giving ID the benefit of the doubt that it might be a genuine scientific hypothesis, and painstakingly shows why it isn't. Furthermore, he shows that the attack isn't just on Darwinian evolution, but on the nature of science itself, by allowing the supernatural into explanations of nature.
Our country has greatly benefited from advances in physics, chemistry, geology, and molecular biology. Ironic that many who enjoy those benefits essentially argue against the science behind them.

My problem with giving this a 5 is the lengthy discussion trying to reconcile his faith in a purposeful God with the biology he knows so well--kinda lost me. Better to do like Gould and leave them to separate spheres.

Overall, highly recommended to anyone with an open mind--you don't need to be a scientist to understand his argument.

A chatty book
Chatty. I wish that the author had confined himself more to scientific questions. But, overall,a great book.

Truth is truth.
I find it laughable that the ID reviewers of this book claim it is full of "misrepresentations" and "misquotes."Miller has explained the theory of evolution plainlyand truthfully why exposing every fanciful ID concept presented at the Dover trialas the unscientific gibberish it is.I had the experience of paging through one of Behe's books and was disgusted with the sheer volume of misrepresentation and misquotes of Darwin and other scientists.Most ID proponents simply don't understand the theory of evolution and scientific method.However, I believe Behe and his friends at the so-called Discovery Institute have the mental capacity to grasp both.Rather than misunderstand it, they are threatened by it.Their fundamentalist Christian beliefs (that's right, I used the "F" word) can't cope with the concept that the world may not revolve around humanity.For them to deliberately misrepresent evolution, pervert science in general, and build a publicity campaign to malign truth as they have is absolutely despicable.

In this book Miller walks through the details of the Dover trial where it was shown plainly how Behe and his cohorts had indeed launched this public relations campaign to replace scientific theory which has been tried and true for over 150 years with their fundamentalist christian belief system.I'm amazed how supposedly educated people can turn their backs on vast amounts of empirical evidence and embrace a literal translation of the Bible.But as a believer in God myself I am disgusted with people who would subvert the truth and claim the religious high ground at the same time.

Miller warns of the dangers of ignoring evolution and the life sciences.And these dangers don't stop at severely compromising our ability to combat disease based on constantly evolving microbes and viruses.Science as a whole would be stifled and discovery (real discovery - not the perversion of the word as used by the "Discovery Institute") would stagnate.If we allow someone to subvert the truth in the science class with their own agenda, then what is there to stop that same party from rewriting history books or burning literature.If the ID agenda comes to fruition we not only lose our future, but we could lose our past.

Miller also explains the beauty of the reality that the theory of evolution teaches us.We have a common ancestry with nearly every living thing on this immensely biologically diverse Earth.So far despite grim odds, among the numerous species to walk this planet, we are counted among the less than 10 percent to avoid extinction.And we are the sole species to develop the intellectual capacity to discover and understand these truths.The ID proponents need to feel they have a stamp on their foot from God that says "You are special above all others, and I have a plan for you - a destiny."Well no individual and certainly no species has a destiny.Rather than a source for despair, evolution shows us how awe inspiring our existence today is.As for our destiny as a species, that is entirely in our hands. ... Read more