Evolution For Dummies [Paperback]

I do not feel the need to rehash the topics that are discussed in the book. Tim Beazley, a previous commenter, already summed up some of the major topics that are covered in the book. Plus you can use the "Search inside this book" link to see which topics are covered.

Anyhow, the content in this book is very informative and easy to comprehend. Each chapter and each paragraph is extremely concise. The author gets right to the point and doesn't use any unnecessary wordiness or bore you to death with overuse of scientific jargon. It is the perfect introductory book for learning about evolutionary biology.

The author discusses the many evolutionary topics in a completely objective manner. He doesn't try to sway the reader toward atheism or faith in a higher power. He states in the beginning of the book that evolutionary biology is the theory of how organisms change over time, and makes no assumptions of the origin of life.

When I began reading this book I had only a very limited understanding of evolutionary biology. I now have a very solid grasp of the basics. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a basic understanding of evolutionary theories and evolutionary biology.

I find this book to be quite interesting. There are parts that seem kind of technical but, when dealing with evolution, you'll have that! I found that I didn't have to read every bit of each chapter either because it was laid out in a manner that kind of summarized the main points. I am still getting through this but have read the bulk of it. I would say this book would be wonderful for all ages from teens to those of us over the middle age point who want to get a firm grip on the theory of evolution.

Evolution for Dummies by Greg Krukonis and Tracy Barr

"Evolution for Dummies" is the surprisingly very thorough and accessible book about evolution. This 362-page book is broken out in four major parts: Part I: What Evolution Is; Part II. How Evolution Works, Part III. What Evolution Does, and Part IV. The Part of Tens.

Positives:
1. A well written, accessible yet thorough account of what evolution is and how it works.
2. A very informative, educational book that concentrates on the science and not on the "so-called" controversy and even with a touch of humor.
3. An ambitious book that covers so much territory and does so very well.
4. Having read a number of books on evolution (see my reviews) I was pleasantly surprised to learn so much from this one.
5. The Dummies series is known for its great and familiar format. A number of very good illustrations and comprehensive charts that add value.
6. Does an excellent job of explaining basic terms of evolution and by doing so really helped me digest better what I've learned from other better known books.
7. Genetics for the rest of us.
8. The difference between micro and macro evolution.
9. Natural selection in all its splendor.
10. What survival of the fittest truly is.
11. The impact of chance.
12. So much wisdom throughout this book, who knew? "Many people think that the key to protecting endangered species is to conserve the maximum number of individuals possible. But understanding evolutionary biology and the patterns of variation present in natural populations helps us recognize that the real key is conserving genetic variability".
13. Evolution and the medical profession.
14. What science is and isn't.
15. Mutations, how they occur and their significance.
16. The impact of fossils to the theory of evolution.
17. Great examples of transitional life forms.
18. So what is the key to differentiating species? Find out...
19. How we can determine the historical relationships among species...interesting stuff.
20. Two kinds of variation: phenotypes and genotypes. "Natural selection acts only on phenotypes".
21. The impact of "genetic drift".
22. What Darwin knew versus what he didn't know and why.
23. The fascinating topic of speciation.
24. Life histories.
25. Many great examples of scientific work that have contributed to understanding evolution.
26. Group selection and how it works.
27. One of the most curious examples of reciprocal altruism.
28. Sexual selection and its two components. A number of great examples.
29. What science doesn't know about evolution.
30. Find out the most important addition to the theory of evolution since Darwin.
31. The fascinating topic of human evolution and how we know the things we know.
32. The fascinating world of viruses and bacteria.
33. I finally understand HIV.
34. A very interesting look at influenzas and how we use evolution to keep our vaccines safe.
35. Dinosaurs!
36. Some interesting look at animals that evolved from land animals.
37. A great closing chapter titled "Ten Arguments against Evolution and Why They're Wrong".

Negatives:
1. The wonderful format of the book does not translate as well on the Kindle.
2. No links or references.
3. No bibliography. Further reading section is really more pub for other books in the now apparent excellent Dummies series.
4. Requires an investment of time but so well worth it!

In summary, I will never underestimate a book from the Dummies series ever again. This book is a pleasant surprise and does a wonderful job of educating the reader on the topic of evolution. I'm most impressed at how thorough this book is with regards to the number of topics of evolution it covers. Furthermore, the book's format is conducive for future reference. Finally, it handles evolution in its proper perspective that is with regards to science. I highly recommend this book for all evolution lovers and seekers of knowledge of all levels.

Recommendations (all books reviewed on Amazon): "Your Inner Fish..." by Neil Shubin, "The Making of the Fittest" by Sean B. Carroll, "What Evolution Is" by Ernst Mayr, "Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution" by Nick Lane, "Written in Stone" by Brian Switek, " Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea" by Carl Zimmer, "Why Evolution Works" by Matt Young, "Why Darwin Matters" by Michael Shermer, "Only a Theory" by Kenneth R. Miller, "The Greatest Show on Earth" by Richard Dawkins and my favorite book for the masses, "Why Evolution Is True" by Jerry A. Coyne.