In this book, Rudolf A. Raff reaches out to the scientifically queasy, using his life story and his growth as a scientist to illustrate why science matters, especially at a time when many Americans are both suspicious of science and hostile to scientific ways of thinking. Noting that science has too often been the object of controversy in school curriculums and debates on public policy issues ranging from energy and conservation to stem-cell research and climate change, Raff argues that when the public is confused or ill-informed, these issues tend to be decided on religious, economic, and political grounds that disregard the realities of the natural world. Speaking up for science and scientific literacy, Raff tells how and why he became an evolutionary biologist and describes some of the vibrant and living science of evolution. Once We All Had Gills is also the story of evolution writ large: its history, how it is studied, what it means, and why it has become a useful target in a cultural war against rational thought and the idea of a secular, religiously tolerant nation.
Once We All Had Gills
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"This biography-history-travelogue-defense-of-science-and-the-scientific-method should appeal to readers of Sean Carroll and Stephen J. Gould to anyone who is fascinated by travel and scientific exploration... An engaging story told with verve and style." --Brian Hall, author of Evolution: Principles and Processes
About the Author
Rudolf A. Raff is James H. Rudy Professor of Biology at Indiana University and one of the founders of the field of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo). He is director of the Indiana Molecular Biology Institute, editor-in-chief of Evolution & Development, Guggenheim Fellow, Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is author of The Shape of Life: Genes, Development, and Evolution of Animal Form and author (with Thom Kaufman) of Embryos, Genes, and Evolution.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enlightening Facts and Histories...Sobering Warnings
8 Aug 2012
By Bliss M. Michelson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
In his book "Once We All Had Gills" Rudolph Raff gives equal parts to his formative years, his discoveries over more than four decades of teaching and research and to the very real perils that we as a world community could face if drastic and practical steps to preserve our planet are not taken now. As a lay person I found the volume personally enlightening blended with history, facts and humor. This is a work I can heartily recommend to anyone whose understanding of evolution is limited but also to those who find science, research and education to be a fascinating subject. It should be required reading in schools and universities nationwide.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting till the End
23 Feb 2013
By Charles Springer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Good, interesting book well written. Unfortunately the author can't, and should have resisted, going into a lengthy, "what's wrong with the world". Better to stick to his biography and science, and leave out the classic liberal opinions. Although I generally agree with him, this book is the wrong place to vent. Write still another essay on the subject and leave it out of this otherwise fine book.
4 of 27 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't waste your money
28 July 2012
By Francis Bacon
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
After receiving this book and making a casual reading of this book, I realized that it virtually has nothing to do with evolutionary biology or even biology for that matter. This book is a ramable through the authors youthful experiences and
political views about evolution and creationism. Please don't waste your money on this book. If your looking for a good book
on the science of evolution refer to Evolution 1st Edition by Barton, Nicholas H.; Briggs, Derek E. G.; Eisen, Jonathan A. published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press Hardcover
political views about evolution and creationism. Please don't waste your money on this book. If your looking for a good book
on the science of evolution refer to Evolution 1st Edition by Barton, Nicholas H.; Briggs, Derek E. G.; Eisen, Jonathan A. published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press Hardcover
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