From Library Journal
Given the many recent advances in biology and genetics, a comprehensive new reference work on evolution has been greatly needed. Edited by Pagel (evolutionary biology, Univ. of Reading, U.K.), this impressive new work fills that gap nicely. Its coverage is much broader than that of previous references, which mainly focused on human evolution; it treats not only theory and the whole range of life forms but also a wide variety of other areas, including developmental biology, social behavior, consciousness, evolution of disease, systematics, population biology, complexity theory, and even art in prehistory. Some biographical articles are also included. The list of advisors and contributors reads like a who's who of biology, including, among others, Stephen Jay Gould, Jane Goodall, Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, and John Maynard Smith. Each article is signed and features a selected bibliography. Broad articles serve the novice as an introduction to their fields, but there are highly technical articles for experts as well; the high quality of writing overall makes difficult concepts easier to understand. This is an excellent resource that can also be browsed enjoyably by anyone interested in biology. It belongs in all academic and large public libraries. Marit MacArthur Taylor, Univ. of Colorado Lib., Denver
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Review
"No other recent encyclopedia provides comparable authoritative in-depth coverage of biological evolution...Highly recommended."--Booklist [Starred Review] "This is an excellent resource that can also be browsed enjoyably by anyone interested in biology....The list of advisors and contributors reads like a who's who of biology."--Library Journal [Starred Review]
"This ample work illustrates how thoroughly evolution's concepts have permeated nearly every branch of modern human thought and study."--School Library Journal
"A comprehensive, accessible, and authoritative guide to all topics known about evolutionary biology....Encyclopedia of Evolution will be the first point of access to this growing body of knowledge."--Biology Digest
"This encyclopedia will be a key resource for researchers, as well as students and teachers."--Nature "The essays not only provide excellent background, but look at how these theories of evolution might be applied to future research."--Choice "This is a superb, very general work about evolution....Strongly recommended."--Reference and User Services Quarterly
"It seems almost certain that this encyclopedia will be a key source for researchers, as well as for students and teachers."--Nature "Articles are excellent and well written."--American Reference Book Annual
"This ample work illustrates how thoroughly evolution's concepts have permeated nearly every branch of modern human thought and study."--School Library Journal
"A comprehensive, accessible, and authoritative guide to all topics known about evolutionary biology....Encyclopedia of Evolution will be the first point of access to this growing body of knowledge."--Biology Digest
"This encyclopedia will be a key resource for researchers, as well as students and teachers."--Nature "The essays not only provide excellent background, but look at how these theories of evolution might be applied to future research."--Choice "This is a superb, very general work about evolution....Strongly recommended."--Reference and User Services Quarterly
"It seems almost certain that this encyclopedia will be a key source for researchers, as well as for students and teachers."--Nature "Articles are excellent and well written."--American Reference Book Annual
From the Publisher
258 halftones, line drawings & maps
About the Author
Mark Pagel is at University of Reading.
