Summary: A history of the development of evolutionary theory, including both the antecedents to Darwin and Russell and the extension of this theory, the controversies, both past and present that it provoked, and the genetic discoveries that have further revealed the theory's mechanisms.

The theory of evolution is perhaps one of the most contested of scientific battlegrounds, both in terms of internal debates about aspects of the theory, and the conflict, particularly in the U.S., around this theory and at least some branches of Christian belief. What Edward J. Larson gives us here is not a scientific or theological treatise but rather a highly readable history that explains both key developments, even those preceding Darwin, and the controversies that resulted down to the time of publication (2004).

The tale begins with studies of both biological specimens and fossil finds by figures such as Cuvier and Lamarck that suggest both a great antiquity for life on earth that stretches the bounds of creation accounts in the Bible as they were understood, and also suggests both continuities and discontinuities between species in a kind of tree of life. Scientists before Darwin, as well as other thinkers thought in terms of some form of evolution but could not understand how one species developed from another. Were adaptive characteristics inherited, as in Lamarck's proposals? How did speciation occur?

Larson discusses the work of Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace who are rivals for the title of the "father of evolution." Each was coming to similar conclusions about natural selection and were even in touch with each other and jointly published a paper on natural selection. But it was Darwin's book, On the Origin of the Species, that captured public attention and led to the primary association of his name with the theory.

The book also traces the history both of subsequent key findings, particularly in Mendelian genetics and the critical work of Watson and Crick, as well as some of the darker sides of Darwinism in "social Darwinism" and eugenics trials culminating in the genocide of the Holocaust. While not laying these developments at the feet of the theory, one does see in this history the darker tendency of humans to "help natural selection along" and sometimes at any cost.

Larson also gives an even-handed overview of the anti-evolution controversies both of the Scopes trial era and more recent efforts. He profiles the principle opponents of evolution and their ideas, as well as the problematic elements in what they propose. He also chronicles more recent controversies within the scientific communities around sociobiology as well as "punctuated equilibrium" that calls into question more gradualist accumulations of adaptive traits.

What Larson does is offer us a good history that seeks to be even-handed and not polemical in explaining the rise of evolution as a theory as well as the objections raised (as well as why they have not gained traction with the wider scientific community). Without wading deep into either science or theology, he offers clear explanations of each and thus helps us understand the history of one of the most important ideas in the last two centuries. A great piece of both history and science writing for a general audience! ( )

The author traces the history of evolutionary theory from the earliest era through Darwin to the present (about 2005). He covers the various "evolution wars" that have occurred throughout the 20th century in America, and details a few of the key players. In a rare moment in science writing, he gets the outcome of the Scopes trial totally right, not marking it as a victory for science, but noting that evolution pretty much disappeared from textbooks until the 1960s. The book doesn't talk much about the evidence for evolution; it merely touches on that, more interested in the historical trajectory of the theory. A very good introduction to the history of science (well, at least one small area of science). ( )

Edward J. Larson's Evolution is an excellent summary of the history of ideas about evolution, as they have developed over the past 300 years. Written for the general reader, this book offers a social and intellectual history that does not expect the reader to have any scientific background. Its focus is on ideas of the major scientists and other thinkers from the late 18th century through the late 20th century, and on the social and political context in which these ideas emerged.

Any readers under the impression that the concept of evolution began with Charles Darwin will quickly find out otherwise through the book's exploration of ideas of such thinkers as Buffon, Erasmus Darwin, and Jean Lamarck. Following an exposition of advances in geology, the scientific contributions of Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace are given prominence, along with consideration of scientific and social responses to their ideas in 19th century Europe and America. Next, Larson traces how evolutionary ideas were affected by advances in paleontology and the rise of transmission genetics (thought for decades to be incompatible with Darwinian evolution). He then considers the development of quantitative approaches of population genetics, and the eventual integration of all of these fields via the "Modern Synthesis" of the 1940s and beyond. Later chapters of the book touch on such contemporary ideas as punctuated equilibrium, evolution of altruism, kin selection, and "selfish genes," through consideration of such figures as Stephen Jay Gould, Richard Dawkins, William D. Hamilton, and E.O. Wilson.

As a historian, Larsen has published extensively on the social and political responses to evolutionary ideas in the US throughout the 20th century. His expertise is on display in Evolution through chapters on (so-called) "social Darwinism," on the anti- evolution crusades of the first few decades of the 1900s, and on the "creationist" courtroom battles of the 1970s through the present.

Larsen's account is accurate, well written, and interesting to read. Though the author is not a scientist (Larsen is a professor of history), his exposition of the scientific issues is clear and largely accurate. However, because this is a work of history (not biology), it does not attempt to present the massive evidence for the process of evolution.

Any work tackling a subject so broad is bound to leave aspects out. Among Larsen's omissions, his account of contemporary evolutionary theory does not consider neutral mutation theory, genetic drift, the impact of DNA sequencing, advances in developmental genetics, and experimental demonstrations of natural selection in evolving populations. Knowledgeable readers may take exception to a few features in Larsen's historical accounts. For example, attempts to tie Ernst Haeckel's evolutionary ideas to the rise of National Socialism have been rebutted by some scholars; and the claim that Haeckel unequivocally viewed Germanic peoples as the pinnacle of human evolution has been contested as simplistic and incomplete.

A few other recent books for the general reader have explored the history of evolutionary ideas, including Peter Bowler's Evolution: History of An Idea and Michael Ruse's The Evolution Wars. Both of these works are excellent, and appropriate for university - level classes in history and biology. Larsen's book stands up well by comparison; what it lacks in the detail and complexity is made up for by being readable and accessible for the general reader. I highly recommend it as a general exposition of the history of scientific ideas about evolution and the responses they have engendered in western society. ( )

This book has a Modern Library logo on it and is part of a series named The Modern Library Chronicles. I used the very handy LT series feature and checked some of the other books in the series. There are thirty-two titles that cover the history of everything from communism to the company. While reading the book ( I also listened to an audio edition) I realized that I have another book by this author, Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate over Science and Religion which is a very good book. He covers the same topic in this book.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is well written and for me very informative. This book taught me a lot about what I don't know about evolution. When the author started writing about statistical models he got over my head very fast. For the large part the author builds his story using the personalities and contributions of a group of men who over time have created present evolutionary theory. The author does an excellent job of narrating an ongoing conversation between men all over the world about this idea beginning in the late 18th Century. Each person has a different wrinkle on how to understand and explain the development of the different organisms that have inhabited the planet. Always present are those who would deny that evolution exists based upon their religious beliefs.
I was fascinated by the role of Darwin's finches in the whole development of the theory of evolution. They are a group of species of finches that live on the Galapagos islands. A primary distinguishing feature of the different species are their beaks. Some have big squat beaks and some have smaller pointed beaks. The different beaks are adapted for eating different types of seeds. These species all developed from one species of finches that moved to the Galapagos and mutated into the different species that Darwin found. In modern times there has been intensive field work done on these birds to try to understand the process of species differentiation.
In the present day field naturalists find that geographic isolation is very important for the development of new species. The geneticists talk about isolated gene pools.
Many of the scientific ideas that make up the story of this theory originate in one individual. The author's full life portrayals of these men and the effects of their personalities on their ideas was fascinating. The genius Watson who with Crick discovered DNA is a molecular biologist. He is also a rather mean minded person who has no use for the ideas of field naturalists. This narrows the scope of his ideas.
The author has an excellent section on the culture wars. The development of scientific creationism has made the battle for the schools a present day problem. The end of the 20th century saw a resurgence of the groups opposed to evolution. I know in my state the Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals was the head of a group that opposed the teaching of evolution. The author also mentions eugenics, the dark side of evolution.
This is just a smattering of what is covered in the book. It is chock full of interesting people and interesting ideas. The well crafted writing makes it a pleasure to read. I think I will seriously look at some of the other titles in the series. If you have an interest in this topic and are not an expert I recommend this book. ( )

A very good history of ideas. I had no idea that early work in statistics and natural selection was so tied up with eugenics. Highly recommended. ( )