Evolution,

by Stephen C. Stearns, Rolf Hoekstra

The second edition of Evolution introduces the basic mechanisms of microevolution, natural selection, and macroevolutionary processes such as speciation and extinction. It also examines key events in evolution throughout the geological record and discusses coevolution and evolutionary medicine. In addition, the text discusses unsolved problems and looks ahead to future developments in this dynamic field.

The text is organized into five parts. Part One introduces the basic mechanisms of selection, inheritance, and development. Part Two considers how natural selection has designed organisms for reproductive success. Part Three explores macroevolutionary processes such as speciation and extinction. Part Four examines key events in evolution throughout the geological record. Part Five discusses coevolution and evolutionary medicine, which integrate and contrast micro- and macroevolution. The book closes with a chapter that recapsulates major issues, discusses unsolved problems, and looks ahead to future developments in this dynamic field.

Evolution , Second Edition, is ideal for introductory undergraduate courses in evolutionary biology. A companion website contains downloadable images from the text, interactive simulations to help students explore the subject in a hands-on manner, and additional study questions with answers. Access it at

Genres: Science, Evolution, Biology, Nonfiction, Nature

596 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2005

About the author

Stephen C. Stearns (born December 12, 1946, in Kapaau, Hawaii and raised in Hawi, Hawaii is an American biologist, and the Edward P. Bass Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University. He is known for his work in life history theory and evolutionary medicine.

Reviews

[Robin Redden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an undergraduate evolutionary biology textbook that anyone with a basic background in physical anthropology, biology and genetics can consume (there is a good genetics summary in the appendix as well). I read it for the OpenYale course EEB 122: Principles of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, taught by Stephen Stearns (one of the two authors of the text). It was helpful and enhancing to have the lectures available as support for the text.

I haven't "caught up" with the latest discoveries and thinking on evolutionary science for a few decades and it was fascinating to see what we have learned. This second edition was published in 2005.

The book covers Microevolution, Macroevolution, Speciation, Extinction, Natural selection, Sexual selection, Genetic conflict, Life History evolution, the Fossil record, Development, Co-evolution and Evolutionary Medicine. There are many interesting examples which help make the concepts clear.

[Ira Therebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introductory book for evolution. While one should have some understanding of biology it gives a good start for a beginner of the topic of evolution. The book is well divided into parts and goes through the different basic concepts of evolution which makes it easier for one to explore this field in the future and understand more advanced readings.

The book has a lot of things that help one understand it better, such as graphs, illustrations and a big amount of examples.

It is written in a way that makes it easy to understand, but it is not an easy read. One should take some time reading it. It took me about a year to finish. But it is definitely worth it.

[Zrinka · Rating 5 out of 5]

everything you need to know, very helpful, and full of interesting examples

[Evo Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book on Evolution. This book goes with a series of lectures from Stephen C. Stearns back in 2009 at Yale. The chapter titles go with the lecture titles so it's easy to find.