Isbn: 9780718109813 - Sketch for a World Picture: Study of Evolution (9 results)

Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Condition: Very Good. 1972. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Michael Joseph, 1972, 1st edn; in mint condition, with dust jacket, turquoise cloth; 196+4pp index; 6 plates, 2 maps, several in-text diagrams; Sketch For A World-Picture will be welcomed by the many non-scientists who are deeply interested in their origins and environment, but so often find these subjects presented in a manner incomprehensible to even the intelligent layman. John Vyvyan's sketch begins with the universe and its infinitely tiny constituent the atom. With the help of diagrams he demonstrates how the free atoms began to join together and to form chains, resulting in time in the highly complex protein chain which is the basis of life. He tells how the simpler living things affected and modified by the condition of their lives evolved into more complex structures; change itself bringing more change, as each living organism adapted to survive. For example, as animals left the sea the land egg was developed to give the young the protection that had once been afforded by water; intense cold brought the mammalian development whereby the young were carried within the parent's body, so that they would not be inadequately protected by an eggshell in the inclement Ice Age; mammals themselves divided according to their different habitats - the ground-living mammals needing to run fast evolved strong legs and a good sense of smell, while with the tree-living mammals (including our ancestors) the accent was on the ability to grasp branches and the co-ordination between hand and eye. But such developments were not sudden. To put it in John Vyvyan's words, 'Every phase of evolution flows into the next, maintaining identity in difference; there is no enduring form and no frontier is absolute; it is necessary, however, to have a sense of period; because each has its character.' And it is John Vyvyan's sense of period that keeps his account so easy to follow. The growing pattern of life emerges, distinct and comprehensible, from the free atoms in the vastness of the universe to man himself - the mammal with the most developed forebrain. But John Vyvyan does not rest complacently here with man as the culmination of the evolutionary process. With the growth of the brain and the tendency of human behaviour to become less instinctive he poses the question, 'Will this relative freedom produce more madmen than sages ?' His study in evolution is not just a brilliantly lucid account of the miracle evolution is, but a comment, too, on the rationality of natural relationships, a rationality devoted to healthy survival, a rationality he fears man has left behind. 8?x5?". . . . .…

Condition: Very Good. 1972. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Michael Joseph, 1972, 1st edn; in mint condition, with dust jacket, turquoise cloth; 196+4pp index; 6 plates, 2 maps, several in-text diagrams; Sketch For A World-Picture will be welcomed by the many non-scientists who are deeply interested in their origins and environment, but so often find these subjects presented in a manner incomprehensible to even the intelligent layman. John Vyvyan's sketch begins with the universe and its infinitely tiny constituent the atom. With the help of diagrams he demonstrates how the free atoms began to join together and to form chains, resulting in time in the highly complex protein chain which is the basis of life. He tells how the simpler living things affected and modified by the condition of their lives evolved into more complex structures; change itself bringing more change, as each living organism adapted to survive. For example, as animals left the sea the land egg was developed to give the young the protection that had once been afforded by water; intense cold brought the mammalian development whereby the young were carried within the parent's body, so that they would not be inadequately protected by an eggshell in the inclement Ice Age; mammals themselves divided according to their different habitats - the ground-living mammals needing to run fast evolved strong legs and a good sense of smell, while with the tree-living mammals (including our ancestors) the accent was on the ability to grasp branches and the co-ordination between hand and eye. But such developments were not sudden. To put it in John Vyvyan's words, 'Every phase of evolution flows into the next, maintaining identity in difference; there is no enduring form and no frontier is absolute; it is necessary, however, to have a sense of period; because each has its character.? And it is John Vyvyan's sense of period that keeps his account so easy to follow. The growing pattern of life emerges, distinct and comprehensible, from the free atoms in the vastness of the universe to man himself - the mammal with the most developed forebrain. But John Vyvyan does not rest complacently here with man as the culmination of the evolutionary process. With the growth of the brain and the tendency of human behaviour to become less instinctive he poses the question, 'Will this relative freedom produce more madmen than sages ?' His study in evolution is not just a brilliantly lucid account of the miracle evolution is, but a comment, too, on the rationality of natural relationships, a rationality devoted to healthy survival, a rationality he fears man has left behind. 8¾x5¾". . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.…

Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,500grams, ISBN:0718109813.…

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Unclipped DJ.

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Includes dust jacket. Pages clean and bright,light wear to edges. NEW EU 3 EURO CHARGE FOR IMPORTS IS INCLUDED IN OUR SHIPPING PRICE. ALL ITEMS ARE DISPATCHED FROM THE UK, ALL OVERSEAS ORDERS SENT BY TRACKABLE AIR MAIL. IF YOU ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE UK PLEASE ASK US FOR A POSTAGE QUOTE FOR MULTI VOLUME SETS BEFORE ORDERING.…

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Vyvyan, John. Sketch for a world-picture : a study of evolution. First edition. London: Michael Joseph, 1972. Hardback, VG, in unclipped dustjacket with light shelfwear and a couple of small marks. Turquoise cloth with gilt lettering to spine. Frontispiece b/w photograph. 202pp., b/w illustrations. Contents clean and bright. A little light foxing to edges of the page block. John Vyvyan (1908 - 12 February 1975) was a British writer best known for his study of Shakespeare and his histories of the animal rights movement. This study of evolution, his final book, is aimed at the "many non scientists who are deeply interested in their origins and environment, but so often find these subjects presented in a manner incomprehensible" (from the jacket description). RightWayUp Books aims to provide accurate and detailed descriptions. We do not use AI and all images are of the actual book for sale - no stock images are ever used. Thank you for looking at this listing.…

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good +. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good+. 1st Edition. Green boards with gold lettering to the spine. Glazed pictorial clipped dust wrapper showing signs of minor shelf wear to the extremities. No inscriptions, 202pp, clean pages with black and white illustrations throughout. (Any digital image available on request).…

Hardcover. Condition: New. 520-vyvyj; Vyvyan, John Sketch for a World-Picture: A Study of Evo ANTHROPOLOGY-SOCIAL SCIENCE SCIENCE-EARTH, GEOLOGY, AGRICULTURE, PALEONTOLOGY 0718109813 SCIENCE-EARTH, GEOLOGY, AGRICULTURE, PALEONTOLOGY SCIENCE-BIOLOGY, EVOLUTION, GENETICS, BIOCHEMISTRY.