Encyclopedia of Evolution

Contains more than two hundred entries that span modern evolutionary science and the history of its development, clarifying many common misconceptions about evolution, and includes biographical entries of scientists who have had and continue to have a major impact on evolutionary science.

Grade 9 Up—This wide-ranging work covers topics from adaptation and extinction to genetics and the origin of the universe. The introduction discusses the medical evidence for evolution, such as the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria; the origins, politics, motives, and theories behind creationism and intelligent design; and the basics of evolutionary theories. The more than 200 articles are alphabetically arranged, and most range from one to three pages in length. They include biographies of significant contributors to this important and controversial field. In addition, several longer essays scattered throughout the work discuss topics such as the role of genes in human behavior, religion and evolutionary scientists, the biological basis of death, and the question of other life in the universe. Difficult terms and concepts are defined in context. Both the essays and the general articles include lengthy further-reading lists consisting of print materials and Web sites. An appendix summarizes Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species, which the author points out is a much-discussed but seldom-read work. Unremarkable black-and-white photographs and charts and illustrations relate directly to the text but do not contribute significantly to the work. An excellent addition.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken, Trinity-Pawling School, Pawling, NY
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Authored by an evolutionary biologist, this encyclopedia's tone is set in the beginning, where it is dedicated not to Charles Darwin but his wife, Emma, for "without Emma Darwin's help, Charles Darwin would most certainly have failed to complete his most famous works." Written in an engaging style at a level accessible to a nonspecialist audience, the volume provides a bridge between nonscientific and scholarly works. The 215 alphabetically arranged entries, ranging in length from a few paragraphs to several pages, span the development of evolutionary science. Examples include Adaptation; Character displacement; Eugenics; Language, evolution of; Linnaeus, Carolus; Mendelian genetics; Neandertals; Punctuated equilibria; Sociobiology; and Wilson, Edward O. References for further reading are provided at the end of most entries. A unique feature of this encyclopedia is the inclusion of five essays, written by the author, that explore particularly interesting topics related to evolutionary science: "How Much Do Genes Control Human Behavior?"; "What Are the 'Ghosts of Evolution'?"; "Can an Evolutionary Scientist be Religious?"; "Why Do Humans Die?"; and "Are Humans Alone in the Universe?" A 15-page appendix provides a summary of Charles Darwin's foundational 1859 work, On the Origin of Species, written at a level accessible to a modern reader. It would be impossible to write a reference work on evolution geared to a general audience without including information on creationism and its variations, such as intelligent design; author Rice takes the critical view of creationism that is prevalent among most scientists. The text is augmented by about 100 black-and-white illustrations, photographs, and charts. A comprehensive, well-constructed 29-page index provides subject access to the contents. Notable for its accessibility, the volume is recommended for high-school, public, and undergraduate academic libraries. The two-volume Encyclopedia of Evolution (Oxford, 2002) is a more comprehensive and proportionately more expensive set distinguished by overview essays written by prominent scientists and articles authored by 330 individual subject experts. Cannon, Nancy
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