This text is a metaphor for the way individuals and unpredictable events influence history. In response history, suggests the author, is the best model for evolution. The author explores the science of improbable outcomes in this wide ranging book written on the evolutionary theme.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By J. Baker
Format:Paperback
these essays are both beautifully written and incredibly thought provoking. i couldn't put this one down.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By C. A. Gallagher
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This was the first set of Stephen Jay Gould's essays that I read and is probably still my favourite. Gould takes subjects as varied as the origin of the QWERTY keyboard, the 18th century fad of mesmerism, travels of the Voyager space probe and weaves them into topics from evolution and the natural sciences. I find it impossible to read Gould's work without feeling that I have learnt something. Great stuff.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Mr N Maunder
Format:Paperback
I read this book looking to criticize, but instead I gave great praise. This book is perfect for natural science students with an interest in natural history, but is written with enough humour to keep the interest of anyone with even a passing interest in natural science.
There is a great deal of criticism in science journals and popular science books about some of Goulds ideas and I am no exception. As a gradualist I find Goulds ideas on punctuated equilibrium contraditory to what we real find in nature. Despite this everything esle about these essays is brillient. Gould shows a massive amount of knowledge about natural history, zoology and history and knows how to put it over with out needing to give too much scientific detail.
This book is fun and easy to read, you will learn a lot about things you may have thought you already knew about and it will open your eyes to many new lines of thought.
A great book for everyone interested in science.
There is a great deal of criticism in science journals and popular science books about some of Goulds ideas and I am no exception. As a gradualist I find Goulds ideas on punctuated equilibrium contraditory to what we real find in nature. Despite this everything esle about these essays is brillient. Gould shows a massive amount of knowledge about natural history, zoology and history and knows how to put it over with out needing to give too much scientific detail.
This book is fun and easy to read, you will learn a lot about things you may have thought you already knew about and it will open your eyes to many new lines of thought.
A great book for everyone interested in science.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By E. D. Barnes
Format:Paperback
This book comprises a series of essays originally published in "Natural History" (the magazine of the American Museum of Natural History). Despite being UK-based, I was a subscriber to this magazine for many years because of Stephen Jay Gould's wonderful essays entitled "This View of Life"; which is where I read each and every essay when it first appeared.
As with other similar titles (The Flamingo's Smile, The Mismeasure of Man, The Panda's Thumb, etc.) this is a collection of some of the finest popular science writing of recent times.
As with other similar titles (The Flamingo's Smile, The Mismeasure of Man, The Panda's Thumb, etc.) this is a collection of some of the finest popular science writing of recent times.
2 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
this is the first book i have read by Gould although i have come across himand his theories through journals while at university. it is instantly readable and enjoyable.
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