Excellent Telling of the Foundation of All Modern Biology
349957
Superb book and Carl Zimmer is exceptionally readable for the non-scientific audience.  Read and enjoy.

As has been said, ad nauseum: all the evidence is consistent with evolution by natural selection. To believe in creationism or "intelligent design" you must ignore all the scientific evidence (radio-isotope dating, geology, archeology, microbiology, genetics, biochemistry).

Their theory is easily summarized: I don't understand this, therefore a miracle must have occurred.  When you come to something you can't (yet) explain with your current methods, then you just say God did it and the problem goes away.  Does this seem like science to you?  If these creationists claim to be scientists, design me an experiment to prove the existence of the "designer."  Define the physical properties of the "designer."  Define the behavior of the "designer."  Define the origin of the "designer."

Creationists also like to say that evolution is "only a theory."  Well, sure.  A theory is not a guess.  A theory is an explanation that is detailed, is experimentally testable, and is supported by the facts.  Evolution by natural selection is exceptionally well supported by the facts and in fact is the only theory that does fit the facts.  It works.  It works so well, that (99.999% of all) biologists don't give it a second thought.  Is a nuclear physicist an "atomist" because they "believe" in the "atomic theory?"  Because 0.001% want to think God did it gives them equal standing?

The other favorite of creationists is to say that Zimmer (or choose your biologist) has changed their mind, therefore they don't know what they are talking about.  Being able to change your mind in light of the facts observed is a hallmark of a scientist.  Believing in dogma in the face of the facts is the hallmark of a religious zealot.

The assertions of the supporters of creationism and "intelligent design" remind me of current Republican politics: any sort of lie will do, just shout it louder and keep saying it. People will eventually believe it. All other considerations will be subordinate to the political goal. Think hard about the political goal here. What value do they gain from a potentially successful campaign to discredit science? Who gains and who loses? (I've heard plenty of people say, "There's no separation of church and state in the United States. It's not in the Constitution." At least the President and the Congressional Majority Leadership understand that science is the way to explain the universe. Wait, oh s---!)

Have a look at the negative (one-star) reviews of this book. Do any of them resemble scientific thought (based on experiment and evidence)? I assure you that they do not. They say GOD made the eye. They say GOD made everything. What is the evidence (science, remember) for this? A book written a long time ago. You just gotta believe! They used to tell you that the earth was flat and the sun went around the earth (maybe they continue to believe that). Why believe (definitely the correct verb) them now? Science may not (yet) be able to answer every question about how our universe works (they're pretty darned close though). But at least scientists understand the difference and admit it! "Because GOD made it that way," has the same logical, scientific content as, "just because:" it's scientifically meaningless.

Creationism and "intelligent design" are religion, not science. They demand faith. Science demands evidence.
3977561
This book is an engrossing look at evolutionary development, which is the study of the way genes shape the form of species and evolution. Sean Carroll takes the reader through a vast array of genetic findings, much of it made only within the past few decades, to show how certain genes act as switches to specify how body structures are formed.

These genes are in what is called the Tool Kit, and are found across numerous species. They perform their actions by being turned on and off at specific times during the course of development. As Carroll says, the same sets of genes control the formation and pattern of body regions and parts with similar functions, but different designs, in insects, vertebrates, and other animals. These genes have important implications in our understanding of how evolution from early forms proceeded and go a long way toward refuting the claims of creationists concerning the evolutionary process.

This book is highly recommended for anyone who is deeply interested in the evolutionary process, or who would like to counter creationism.
1103914
Mr. Wade has provided the best and most complete discussion of the role of genes in forming human nature. This is mostly a taboo topic because of the steady propaganda of the social sciences of the West. Wade's introduction to the mechamisms of genetics acting during evolution is superb because few scientists have had the guts and knowledge to deal directly with genetic mechanisms in  the evolutionary history of Homo sapiens. That social behaviors have a genetic basis is greatly resisted by the Left but Wade allows us to see the first glimpses of genomic studies relating to the fact that the human animal spread across the globe and underwent significant evolution based upon adaptations of various sorts driven by natural selection. Harpending and Cochran have published a supporting book called The 10,000 Year Explosion.

Despite a letter to the New York Times by 137 population geneticists refusing to associate their research with the book by Wade, the letter reflects a poliotical attack based upon a fear of "scientific racism." If finding a variety of real differences among human races is "racism" then science must be condemned by its very nature. Most of us believe in the truths of science and can live with such realism. Preferring magic and superstition is regressive. The myth of equality may pacify leftist anthropologists or geneticists but good science has no such bias. Nature itself is yielding its secrets, often very begrugingly, but political attacks on Wade-like the hysteria in 1994 over The Bell Curve- will fade in the face of scientific discovery and honest journalism. For the Left this conversion to truth will not be easy.
1309120
Written more than 1.5 centuries ago, this book was the presentation of the greatest discovery/idea of the history of human-being and the turning point for our modern understanding of the world. Darwin's magnificent theories about the evolution of life on the Earth have since been confirmed by all branches of science. Even if you read this book as a science fiction, you will learn a great deal about how scientific method replaces ancient beliefs with scientific explanations.
4809104
I really enjoyed this book. Taylor gives an almost minute-by-minute account of one of the most eye-opening scientific discoveries of the decade. Whether he's describing a swim in an underground lake, the inside  of a NASA lab, or the politics of academia, his prose is clear and  compelling. Even better, he manages to describe serious science without  jargon, making this book accessible to scientist and non-scientist alike.  What John McPhee has done for geology, Michael Ray Taylor does for  microbiology.
1603637
When you read this book, you feel that it is a chronicle of human history of increasing knowledge about single cell operation and information purpose in it functionality.  I read this book like a novel with a zest of specific nomenclature and classification. It stands for fresh unbiased and innovative approach to most up-to-date knowledge about application of:  information, mathematical statistics and computer science in modern biology. I agree that is easier said than done to read all of 508 pages of this book plus every one of meticulous notes. It did take me at least three weeks to absorb about half of facts this book has to offer.
This book is not about religion or God or faith. This book is about science, historical science process, its developments and falls. Author brilliantly teaches us in a direct way about logic, implications, surprise conclusions and unexpected outcome of scientific discussion and debate.  I learned a lot from his discussion about evidence and facts interpretation. This book is a "manual" for those who like to conduct systematic and methodical conversation.  Beside his incredible knowledge on subject, author is offering astonishing skills in arguing with opponents.
 From this point of view I highly recommend this book for those who are sophisticated as well as for those who are not. You will learn about subject and you will absorb stylish way to go in any rational and civilizing debate on any subject. Have a nice (and challenging) journey into scientific discussion.
2392473
This book reveals a sophisticated understanding of how scientists come up with formal explanations and definitions. Inevitably, as the technologies and observations progress, yesterday's concepts become outmoded and, eventually, restrictive. Evelyn Fox Keller explains how this progression occurred (and still takes place) in our understanding of biological inheritance. She displays a fine sense of the motivations behind pre-DNA theoretical postulates that no longer make sense in light of modern sequence data. Altogether, a splendid account of the gene theory, its problems, and indications of where new concepts are likely to arise.
4789823
EO Wilson clearly ranks among the best known and most respected biologists of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Drawing from his decades of experience in the field and in the lab, Wilson is able to paint a compelling picture of the current state of our global ecosystem. Highly readable and accessible, The Creation is the perfect way to explain to the masses why it is important to save our planet and its faltering ecosystems. My only fear is that those who need to read it most are the least likely to do so
1668072
As a Ph. D. plant pathologist, I was taught about Koch's postulates on the first day of the first plant path course I ever enrolled in. Pasteur was also one of the "giants" of the age who was mentioned frequently and reverently. And why not? The germ theory of disease is easily the most important discovery in the history of modern medicine, veterinary medicine and, yes, in my own science of plant pathology as well. The author's command of the historical information is impressive and his comments on the philosophy of science itself are well worth the read. The fact that he has wrapped all of this information into a surprisingly entertaining format that breathes life into these important historical figures and shows us their human sides is just frosting on the cake!

Highly recommended!
4630449
A fascinating read!  I was given this title as an introduction to the field of parthenogenesis and sex ratio distortion, before starting a postdoc in the field.  However, it is suitable, I believe, for a lay audience moderately educated in biology.  (More specifically, you will probably need to have taken and understood a college-level basic biology course in order to be able to read and enjoy this book.)  It delves into the questions of why sex exists, why most (but not all) species have males, and the evolutionary roots of equal numbers of males and females in most populations.  It also opens up the world of sex-ratio distorting endosymbionts and the "arms race" between the endosymbionts (trying to move towards an all female strain to maximize their transmission to the next generation) and the hosts (trying to achieve a stable male-female sex ratio).  The book is well written and full of astonishing examples, making it an entertaining read as well as a solid introduction to the dynamic and often "stranger than fiction" ecology of sex.
3812595
This book should be read by anyone interested in life sciences. It outlines major styles of modern biological thinking about evolution. It makes a convincing case of an extraordinary influence of Lamarck writings on our today's understanding of evolution. The book is strictly scholarly. It does not follow emotional and political battles of the time. It stands neither for Lamarck nor against his work. It just gives a competent account of historical facts along with detailed interpretation suitable for understanding modern biology. Of course the facts described in this book were well known to evolutionary scholars but were not accessible to general readers. Evolutionary theorists have long determined that all major variants of Darvin's evolutionary theory were in fact influenced by and compatible with Lamarck's work. Reportedly Darwin himself has been a devoted Lamarkian (for more details see for instance Gould's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Structure-of-Evolutionary-Theory/dp/0674006135/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Structure of Evolutionary Theory</a>.) Yet the popular opinion supports an idea that work of Darwinian evolutionists is in a profound disagreement with the ideas advocated and sometimes invented by Lamarck.
The author, Richard Burkhardt, masterfully navigates between gossips, reliable historical facts, and meritorious biological data. One outcome is a powerful and convincing outline of a modern understanding of evolution of biological systems. The other outcome is a convincing demonstration of survival of Lamarck's views of evolution in today's biology.
Again, if you wish to understand biology, you should read this book.
3685162
This book delves into the complexity of the human body and builds evidences that support intelligent design. Information is presented in an easily understable way, and goes deep enough to provide evidence of support, yet is written in a way to keep readers engaged. The author does not shy away from confronting modern thought but presents arguments in a nonabrasive manner that provokes thought and additional study. Additonally, information is presented in a way that supports the author's reasoning while not bashing those with different views. This is definitely a must read book for anyone studying any aspect of science.
305516
Not since "Microbe Hunters" by Paul de Kruif&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Microbe-Hunters/dp/0156027771/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Microbe Hunters</a>&nbsp;and "The Double Helix" by Watson and Crick&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Double-Helix-A-Personal-Account-of-the-Discovery-of-the-Structure-of-DNA/dp/074321630X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA</a>&nbsp;has the excitement of discovery in the biological sciences been expressed and made vivid for lay readers in the way that Douda and Sternberg's account of their research into Bacterial Immunological Systems and application of CRISPR/CAS9 for Gene Editing displays.  This easily understood scientific autobiography documents much of the research that led to one of the most important discoveries in molecular biology and genetic engineering in recent decades.  The clear prose and simple diagrams which document CRISPR and its mechanisms make clear and make exciting this journey of scientific discovery,

Highly Recommended
1721283
In this book, Stephen Meyer carefully details the history of the discovery of the structure of the DNA, and describes the fundamental difference between the historical sciences and the experimental sciences. I enjoyed it very much. It's very simple to read and understand, although at times it does get pretty technical with biological terminology. Over all, I loved to book. The knowledge I gained from reading this book could not of had come at a better time, I wrote a full paper defending Intelligent Design for my philosophy of biology seminar course and also gave two presentations.

All Best,

JD
3126210
This is a delightful book. Unlike most books on this subject, the author is not afraid to describe the "Theory" of evolution with the contempt which it deserves.

The book begins with a fair description of the theory of evolution and what it entails. From there, each point is methodically and logically refuted. One of the things I loved was his calling DNA "Darwin Nailed Again." Obviously, in the mid 1800's when Darwin came up with his theory, DNA was unknown. Perhaps he can be forgiven for not realizing the impossibility of extremely complicated DNA sequences forming randomly, but there is no excuse for anyone today to be ignorant of this.

A couple of other books which are very good on this subject are, "A Scientific Approach to Christianity" by Robert Faid. He manages to completely demolish the theory of evolution in only one chapter - just 22 pages. Really, that's all it takes.

Another is, "What is Creation Science" by Morris and Parker. This is a very detailed examination of practically every argument ever used to support evolution. If you need all the details, this is the book for that.

I believe both these books are available on Amazon.
4544270
I recently read this book for the first time, rather late in my career as a birth defects epidemiologist.  I loved this book.  It reads well.  It is easy to see why it is a classic.  I would think all high school students should read this book.  I just bought two more copies to give to kids in the neighborhood.  It tells the story of the remarkably short time in which we as people went from not knowing that bacteria caused human disease to learning this important fact and the discovery of many diseases in a few short years.  I discovered what a wonderful scientist Pasteur was.  I learned the Koch did much more than establish Koch's postulates.  I had read just before reading this book, Germ Theory by Robert Gaynes.  The two books give an amazing look at the lives, the joys, the frustrations of these early pioneers that set up the scientific basis of modern medicine.  I could not recommend these two books more highly.
3647071
I recently read this book for my undergraduate genetics class. Out of all the required reading that I have had to do in the sciences, this was by far my favorite. Watson is quick, funny, and tells a compelling story. Watson is somewhat biased (aren't we all) but he tells a fairly objective story from HIS point of view. I loved the way the book kept me on the edge of my seat and thus I read it very quickly. For those of you who are not science people, this book will not "go over your head". This book describes a critical discovery that influences us all today. Read it!