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CHOICE Review

Eldredge, one of the leading architects of modern evolutionary theory, has written a lucid work explaining facets of evolution, around a series of 160 exquisite photographs of original fossils and replicas. The beautifully produced book begins with a general background to earth history, as well as to the history of paleontology and to Eldredge's own career. Rather than examine the history of each main time interval or of the major biological groups of organisms, as would a textbook, Eldredge instead focuses on patterns and evolutionary processes. Chapters broadly cover topics such as adaptation, species origin and evolution, extinction, and macroevolution the origin of larger groups and evolutionary novelties. As always, the evolution of humans is given a separate chapter, violating Eldredge's own pattern, as are those animals that look today much like their long-past ancestors, the "living fossils." The photographs, all in color, are of specimens in the vast collections of the American Museum of Natural History, and the text is planned more to elucidate what they might show, rather than the photographs illuminating the text. While the photos may capture the reader's eye, the process of evolution will capture the minds of those who take the time to delve into it. Highly recommended for undergraduates and general readers. E. Delson; Herbert H. Lehman College, CUNY