Sudden Origins: Fossils, Genes, and the Emergence of Species - Softcover

Schwartz, Jeffrey H.

 
9780471379126: Sudden Origins: Fossils, Genes, and the Emergence of Species
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0471379123 ISBN 13: 9780471379126
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2000

Synopsis

"Fascinating."–Nature
Finally a compelling answer to the question that has plagued scientists for centuries . . .
"A detailed and informative historical account."–Nature
"This is an intriguing and significant work."–Library Journal
"A provocative new theory to explain how species arise."–Scientific American
"A worthwhile attempt at bridging the new developments in how species may change and the evidence for the patterns of those changes."–American Scientist
Darwin may have argued that new species emerge through a slow, gradual accumulation of tiny mutations, but the fossil record reveals a very different scenario–the sudden emergence of whole new species, with no apparent immediate ancestors.
In this provocative and timely book, Jeffrey Schwartz presents a groundbreaking and radical new theory that explains exactly how evolution works. Turning to the marvels of genetics, paleontology, embryology, and anatomy, and introducing the recent discovery of an extraordinary type of gene, known as homeobox genes, Schwartz provides an evocative answer to the long–standing question: How do species emerge?
Writing with the expert knowledge only an insider can bring, Schwartz tells the intriguing history of the study of evolution, from the initial breakthrough discoveries to the famous Piltdown controversy up through the genetics revolution. Sudden Origins is a monumental book that ties together all the threads of evolutionary theory while providing a compelling answer to one of life′s most enduring conundrums. This book is crucial reading for anyone who has ever pondered the mysteries of our evolutionary heritage.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

JEFFREY H. SCHWARTZ, Ph.D., is a professor of anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of the critically acclaimed The Red Ape and What the Bones Tell Us. He is also the coauthor, with Ian Tattersall, of the forthcoming landmark three–volume work, The Human Fossil Record.

From the Back Cover

"Fascinating."–Nature

Finally a compelling answer to the question that has plagued scientists for centuries . . .

"A detailed and informative historical account."–Nature

"This is an intriguing and significant work."–Library Journal

"A provocative new theory to explain how species arise."–Scientific American

"A worthwhile attempt at bridging the new developments in how species may change and the evidence for the patterns of those changes."–American Scientist

Darwin may have argued that new species emerge through a slow, gradual accumulation of tiny mutations, but the fossil record reveals a very different scenario–the sudden emergence of whole new species, with no apparent immediate ancestors.

In this provocative and timely book, Jeffrey Schwartz presents a groundbreaking and radical new theory that explains exactly how evolution works. Turning to the marvels of genetics, paleontology, embryology, and anatomy, and introducing the recent discovery of an extraordinary type of gene, known as homeobox genes, Schwartz provides an evocative answer to the long–standing question: How do species emerge?

Writing with the expert knowledge only an insider can bring, Schwartz tells the intriguing history of the study of evolution, from the initial breakthrough discoveries to the famous Piltdown controversy up through the genetics revolution. Sudden Origins is a monumental book that ties together all the threads of evolutionary theory while providing a compelling answer to one of life′s most enduring conundrums. This book is crucial reading for anyone who has ever pondered the mysteries of our evolutionary heritage.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
John Wiley & Sons
Publication date
2000
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0471379123
ISBN 13 
9780471379126
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
432

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780471329855: Sudden Origins

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0471329851 ISBN 13:  9780471329855
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1999
Hardcover