Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species is probably the best-known, least-read book. One of the most important achievements of the past millennium, ...
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Jul 17, 2010
Monthly Book Group
rated it: 
This is an updating of the "The Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin published in 1859.
The book has a particularly gripping beginning in its sections on the AIDS virus, and on the domestication of animals. The most moving section was that in which he examined how the relics of different species vanish over time, just as the relics of the First World War were already disappearing. This brought into perspective the insignificance of human life “sub specie aeternitatis”.
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The book has a particularly gripping beginning in its sections on the AIDS virus, and on the domestication of animals. The most moving section was that in which he examined how the relics of different species vanish over time, just as the relics of the First World War were already disappearing. This brought into perspective the insignificance of human life “sub specie aeternitatis”.
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May 29, 2011
Katie
rated it:
Such an interesting premise, to take the Origin of Species and update it chapter by chapter with what we know now about evolution. I found Jones' prose a bit awkward, though, and really, really wanted at least some line drawings to further illustrate some of the examples he used (e.g., the land-based predecessor of the whale) -- I was headed to the web quite often to try to picture what he was describing. He gave so many great examples and a good tour through the themes, but I had a tough time w
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Jun 21, 2011
Reds_reads
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This book aims to update Darwin's original and follows the same format - it uses the original chapter titles and structures and Darwin's final summary. The interest for me lay in the details - how evolution created or destroyed particular species or structures or details of the fossil record, rather than the explanation of the theory itself (probably as it is not new to me). This is the area in which this book cannot hope to compete with the original - the ideas are no longer new to readers and
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Feb 05, 2009
David
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In this book, the author (Steve Jones, a leading evolutionary biologist) attempts a re-do of Drawin's Origin of the Species, featuring, in the place of Darwin's material, a summary of some of the more recent evidence of evolutionary biology.
Some of this is very interesting. My favorite is the material on the HIV virus in the Introduction. Jones explains in fascinating detail how HIV has morphed into several different branches, now known as HIV 1-A, 1-B, 1-C 1-D, 1-D, and HIV-2 (wit More...
Some of this is very interesting. My favorite is the material on the HIV virus in the Introduction. Jones explains in fascinating detail how HIV has morphed into several different branches, now known as HIV 1-A, 1-B, 1-C 1-D, 1-D, and HIV-2 (wit More...
Jan 31, 2008
Meirav
rated it: 
Damn wonderful book, honestly. I started reading it a little before the strike ended and was immediately glad for the little treasure box ofchances to refresh last year's ecology and taxonomy material. You'll find everything in Jones' book; ecology, evolution, genetics, microbiology, bacteriology, history, poetry, logic. Jones' style is wonderfully readable and elegantly addictive but most of all, it's simple and informative with a healthy dash of good, sharp humor. With very, very little mindle
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Dec 10, 2010
Kirsty
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Absolutley fabulous book covering everything about how we know evolution is what actually happened; just brilliant, took me forever and a day to read it but it was never a slow read, just thick and dense with fascinating facts and explanations. Highly recommended.
Mar 25, 2011
Kate
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I have to confess I didn't finish reading this. I have the sneaking suspicion I've read it before, as some of it is very familiar. Jones' writing is a little disjointed and his examples waver from excellent to a little vague.
May 26, 2011
Genetic Cuckoo
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A simply great book. Clearly argued and well written. It will make you think in a new way about evolution and can't help but spark passion to descover more about the world around us and where we come from.
Feb 28, 2009
Peter
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Steve Jones is that rare combination of great communicator and solid scientist. In this year of Darwin's bicentenary, it is worth checking this out as an update in the progress since.
Jul 11, 2011
Jonathan
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Can't seem to find this book again but it was a great read! Very educational and better written than the other one by Dawkins though that one is good too.
Jan 14, 2010
Charles
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A restatement of Darwin's ideas with today's knowledge. Amazing how correct Darwin was!
This is a good read and a great update to the original manuscript.
This is a good read and a great update to the original manuscript.
Mar 31, 2010
Mag
rated it:
A look at The Origin of Species from the vantage point of modern science. Lots of interesting facts, even if some, but not many, slightly dated already- the book was published 10 years ago. All in all, a huge affirmation of Darwin’s work and his achievements.
One complaint. Even though the book is interesting, the style is sometimes convoluted. It doesn’t have the organization, clarity and reading ease of Dawkins’ books.
3.5/5
One complaint. Even though the book is interesting, the style is sometimes convoluted. It doesn’t have the organization, clarity and reading ease of Dawkins’ books.
3.5/5
Jan 14, 2009
Bea
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An update of the science of Darwin's Origin of Species. Not boring! As The Observer wrote: "A thumping good read!" or The Sunday Times (of London): A richly readable introduction to the science that The Origin of Species invented. Jones is a star writer who makes the old bones throw off their dust and dance the boogie."
Aug 24, 2009
Bernie_dunham
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Steve Jones assumes the role of a modern Charles Darwin updating "The Origin of Species," which Darwin updated in six editions during his lifetime. Jones, who follows every chapter of Darwins original book, adds a new chapter, "Interlude: Almost Like a Whale," just before the final chapter.
Oct 08, 2008
Galen
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This book was a really good read that brought out the interesting aspects of evolutional biology, made it very easy to understand. It also brought to light strange species of animals like the chevrotain, which was a lot of fun to read about.
Nov 27, 2011
Juli
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A nice update on a classic. The writing is a little scattered and it seemed like some things were repeated (probably an editing issue more than anything) but it wasn't difficult to understand, and I enjoyed it. :)
Aug 13, 2011
Cami
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so interesting! I recommend this book to anyone, even if you don't like Darwin. Very Good.
Sep 27, 2008
Robin
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Pop science for the uninitiated, a very clear description on modern thinking about evolution. Darwin would have been pleased...
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