The Ant and the Peacock. Altruism and Sexual Selection from Darwin to Today.

Cronin, Helena

ISBN 10: 052132937X / ISBN 13: 9780521329378

Published by Cambridge University Press, New York, 1992

About this Item

Dustwrapper, pp.xiv, 490. Illustrated. A discussion of the seemingly contradictory cases for evolutionary supremacy of the benefactor worker ant against the flamboyant but communally unhelpful peacock. Wrapper a little creased to edges in places. Light foxing to text block edges not affecting text pages. Near fine in similar dustwrapper.

Seller Inventory # 010452

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Ant and the Peacock. Altruism and Sexual Selection from Darwin to Today.
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, New York
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 052132937X
• ISBN 13: 9780521329378
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

About this title

Synopsis

This book is a success story. It explains two long-running puzzles of the theory of natural selection. How can natural selection favour those, like the ant, that renounce tooth and claw in favour of the public-spirited ways of the commune? How can it explain the peacock's tail, flamboyant and a burden to its bearer; surely selection would act against useless ornamentation? Helena Cronin's enthralling account blends history, science and philosophy in a gripping tale that is scholarly, entertaining and eminently readable. The hardback edition was selected by Nature as one of the best scientific books in 1992. Also the New York Times chose it as one of their best books of 1992. The author divides her time between the Philosophy Department at the London School of Economics and the Zoology Department at Oxford.

Review

'Part detective story and part philosophical enquiry, The Ant and the Peacock offers a paradox in every paragraph.' J. G. Ballard, Weekend Telegraph

'Nobody with an interest in how the human mind has come to work the way it does can fail to be gripped by it.' The Economist

'In her racy and provocative way, Dr Cronin tells a story that sums up the essence of neo-Darwinism ... Part detective story and part philosophical enquiry, The Ant and the Peacock offers a paradox in every paragraph ...' Weekend Telegraph

'The finest study of the evolution of Darwinian thought that we have to date ... Cronin's special understanding of the sexual force in evolution's drive adds a most important dynamic to this work.' The New England Review of Books