Darwin's Universe: Evolution from A to Z / Edition 1

by Richard Milner, Ian Tattersall, Stephen Jay Gould

Overview

This alphabetically arranged reference, an immensely entertaining browser's delight, offers a dazzling overview of the life and thought of Charles Darwin and his incredibly wide sphere of influence. Authoritative and abundantly illustrated, it illuminates the ways in which ideas of evolutionary biology have leapt the boundaries of science to influence philosophy, law, religion, literature, cinema, art, and popular culture. Darwin's Universe, a thoroughly revised and updated successor to Richard Milner's acclaimed Encyclopedia of Evolution, contains more than a hundred new essays, including entries on animal behavior (Alex the parrot, Kanzi the bonobo, Digit the gorilla), on women in science (Mary Anning, Rosalind Franklin), and on the latest finds of human fossils. A veritable museum of natural history, it also contains many original discoveries brought to light by Milner's historical sleuthing. Packed with hundreds of rare illustrations, including many new ones, this Darwin Bicentennial edition will appeal to a wide audience of readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520243767
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	07/06/2009
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 11.30(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Richard Milner is an Associate in Anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History, contributing editor at Natural History magazine, and Fellow of the Linnean Society of London. Author of three award-winning books on evolution, he has published articles in Scientific American and other science magazines and has been featured on the History, Discovery, and Animal Planet channels, as well as on BBC Two and Nova. Milner has performed his one-man musical Charles Darwin: Live & In Concert in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and in Darwin's beloved Galápagos Islands.

Table of Contents

Foreword, by Ian Tattersall
Preface: An Appreciation of Milner's Encyclopedia, by Stephen Jay Gould
Introduction

Evolution from A to Z

Appendix
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Illustration Credits
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"All things Darwin, authoritative, amusing, abundantly illustrated, including some rare finds."—Scientific American

"A browsers delight. . . . Offers an immensely entertaining overview of the history of natural science."—The Lady (Uk)

Editorial Reviews

A browsers delight. . . . Offers an immensely entertaining overview of the history of natural science.

The Lady (Uk)

All things Darwin, authoritative, amusing, abundantly illustrated, including some rare finds.

Scientific American

This A-to-Z offers an overview of the life and thoughts of Charles Darwin and his wide influence. It covers evolutionary and scientific progress from Adam and Eve to the present, with a focus on concepts such as the "Tree of Life," historical places and events such as Rudyard Kipling's "Just-So" stories, and people such as Thomas Henry Huxley. The book is lavishly illustrated, with close to 400 black-and-white photographs and pieces of artwork (at least one image on nearly every page). Each essay is an enjoyable overview of the subject—ranging from half a page to over three pages in length each. Also included are references and an extensive bibliography. Entries illuminate the ways in which the ideas of evolutionary biology have expanded beyond science to influence philosophy, law, religion, literature, cinema, art, and popular culture. Fascinating concepts include animal behavior, women in science, the latest finds on human fossils, and many unknown incidents. Did you know, for example, that Gregor Mendel never formulated Mendel's Laws? Milner is an associate in the department of anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History, a contributing editor at National History magazine, and a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London. In addition, he has an impressive background around the world as an award-winning author of books and articles and for his appearances on television and in the one-man musical Charles Darwin: Live & in Concert. BOTTOM LINE Authoritative and abundantly illustrated, this book is a veritable museum of natural history. It will appeal to and entertain a large audience of readers. Recommended for public and academic libraries.—Kathleen A. Welton,Chicago

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