The Making of the Fittest, Sean B. Carroll
The Making of the Fittest, Sean B. Carroll
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The Making of the Fittest
DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution

Author: Sean B. Carroll

Narrator: Patrick Lawlor

Unabridged: 8 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 01/15/2007


Synopsis

DNA evidence not only solves crimes—in Sean Carroll's hands it will now end the Evolution Wars.

DNA is the genetic material that defines us as individuals. Over the last two decades, it has emerged as a powerful tool for solving crimes and determining guilt and innocence. But, very recently, an important new aspect of DNA has been revealed—it contains a detailed record of evolution. That is, DNA is a living chronicle of how the marvelous creatures that inhabit our planet have adapted to its many environments, from the freezing waters of the Antarctic to the lush canopy of the rain forest.

In this highly accessible narrative, Sean Carroll guides the general listener on a tour of the massive DNA record of three billion years of evolution to see how the fittest are made. And what an eye-opening tour it is—one that features immortal genes, fossil genes, and genes that bear the scars of past battles with horrible diseases. This book clinches the case for evolution beyond any reasonable doubt.

About Sean B. Carroll

Sean B. Carroll is an award-winning scientist, writer, and executive producer. He is vice president for science education at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Allan Wilson Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His books include Endless Forms Most Beautiful, Brave Genius, and Remarkable Creatures, which was a finalist for the National Book Award for nonfiction. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jim

An interesting if somewhat scattered tour through genes focusing on evolutionary proofs. Preface: Beyond Any Reasonable Doubt was too long & there is an introduction. Redundant; do one or the other. Basically he's going to make a case for evolution that proves it beyond a reasonable doubt just using......more

Goodreads review by Sarah

I read this book over the course of an entire semester of college, as it was assigned for my Ecology, Evolution & Society Biology class. That being said, I am sad to see it come to an end as this semester winds to a close as well. I had begun to look forward to the new piece of evidence or explanati......more

Gobsmacking! From convergent evolution to fossil genes we are here taken through a breathtaking journey into the realm of evolution, with DNA's point of view as sole guide and captain. Sean B. Carroll's genocentrism is captivating, fascinating, enlightening. His writing style is engaging and very acc......more

I studied evolution for the first time at age 26 in a "first year biology for science majors" course at Utah State University. Amazingly (at least, it seems amazing to me now, knowing how foundational evolutionary principles are to every aspect of modern biology), evolution was never even mentioned......more

Goodreads review by Albert

In a country where the teaching of evolutionary biology is being suppressed in the schools, and where very few people actually UNDERSTAND what evolution is, this book could not have come at a better time. It is a very engaging introduction or review of the principle of evolution, meant for laypeople......more