The theory of evolution unites the past, present, and future of living
things. It puts humanity's place in the universe into necessary
perspective. Despite a history of controversy, the evidence for
evolution continues to accumulate as a result of many separate strands
of amazing scientific sleuthing.
In The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries, Donald R. Prothero
explores the most fascinating breakthroughs in piecing together the
evidence for evolution. In twenty-five vignettes, he recounts the
dramatic stories of the people who made crucial discoveries, placing
each moment in the context of what it represented for the progress of
science. He tackles topics like what it means to see evolution in action
and what the many transitional fossils show us about evolution,
following figures from Darwin to lesser-known researchers as they unlock
the mysteries of the fossil record, the earth, and the universe. The
book also features the stories of animal species strange and familiar,
including humans--and our ties to some of our closest relatives and more
distant cousins. Prothero's wide-ranging tales showcase awe-inspiring
and bizarre aspects of nature and the powerful insights they give us
into the way that life works.
Brisk and entertaining while firmly grounded in fundamental science,
The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries is a captivating read for
anyone curious about the evidence for evolution and what it means for
humanity.
