Evolution Talk: The Who, What, Why, and How behind the Oldest Story Ever Told
Evolution helps us understand our humble place in the rich tapestry of life. But what do we know about the theory of evolution itself? In this captivating book based on his popular podcast, Rick Coste reveals how the theory of evolution came to be and how it explains the world around us.

Before Charles Darwin, other luminaries planted the seeds of the theory that would one day make him famous. Evolution Talk begins by shining a spotlight on the writers, philosophers, and scientists who cultivated the concepts and speculations that blossomed into the theory of evolution by natural selection, from Aristotle’s big ideas to a young fossil hunter named Mary Anning, whose discovery of the first ichthyosaur skeleton changed everything.

After exploring the contributions of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, Evolution Talk investigates the very beginnings of life itself. From its genesis in a primordial pond to the endless and beautiful forms which emerged to populate our once inhospitable and barren little planet. Along the way, adaptations such as altruism, sexual selection, and the development of brains further pushed life along its amazing path to where it is today. Finally, Coste concludes by taking a step back to ask questions about how we as humans fit in, such as “Are we unique?” and “Are we still evolving?”

Breaking down complex concepts with easy-to-follow language and engaging examples, Evolution Talk will educate and entertain any reader looking to learn more about the greatest idea ever.

1140855850
Evolution Talk: The Who, What, Why, and How behind the Oldest Story Ever Told
Evolution helps us understand our humble place in the rich tapestry of life. But what do we know about the theory of evolution itself? In this captivating book based on his popular podcast, Rick Coste reveals how the theory of evolution came to be and how it explains the world around us.

Before Charles Darwin, other luminaries planted the seeds of the theory that would one day make him famous. Evolution Talk begins by shining a spotlight on the writers, philosophers, and scientists who cultivated the concepts and speculations that blossomed into the theory of evolution by natural selection, from Aristotle’s big ideas to a young fossil hunter named Mary Anning, whose discovery of the first ichthyosaur skeleton changed everything.

After exploring the contributions of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, Evolution Talk investigates the very beginnings of life itself. From its genesis in a primordial pond to the endless and beautiful forms which emerged to populate our once inhospitable and barren little planet. Along the way, adaptations such as altruism, sexual selection, and the development of brains further pushed life along its amazing path to where it is today. Finally, Coste concludes by taking a step back to ask questions about how we as humans fit in, such as “Are we unique?” and “Are we still evolving?”

Breaking down complex concepts with easy-to-follow language and engaging examples, Evolution Talk will educate and entertain any reader looking to learn more about the greatest idea ever.

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Evolution Talk: The Who, What, Why, and How behind the Oldest Story Ever Told

Evolution Talk: The Who, What, Why, and How behind the Oldest Story Ever Told

by Rick Coste
Evolution Talk: The Who, What, Why, and How behind the Oldest Story Ever Told

Evolution Talk: The Who, What, Why, and How behind the Oldest Story Ever Told

by Rick Coste

Paperback

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Overview

Evolution helps us understand our humble place in the rich tapestry of life. But what do we know about the theory of evolution itself? In this captivating book based on his popular podcast, Rick Coste reveals how the theory of evolution came to be and how it explains the world around us.

Before Charles Darwin, other luminaries planted the seeds of the theory that would one day make him famous. Evolution Talk begins by shining a spotlight on the writers, philosophers, and scientists who cultivated the concepts and speculations that blossomed into the theory of evolution by natural selection, from Aristotle’s big ideas to a young fossil hunter named Mary Anning, whose discovery of the first ichthyosaur skeleton changed everything.

After exploring the contributions of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, Evolution Talk investigates the very beginnings of life itself. From its genesis in a primordial pond to the endless and beautiful forms which emerged to populate our once inhospitable and barren little planet. Along the way, adaptations such as altruism, sexual selection, and the development of brains further pushed life along its amazing path to where it is today. Finally, Coste concludes by taking a step back to ask questions about how we as humans fit in, such as “Are we unique?” and “Are we still evolving?”

Breaking down complex concepts with easy-to-follow language and engaging examples, Evolution Talk will educate and entertain any reader looking to learn more about the greatest idea ever.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781633888340
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date: 10/15/2022
Pages: 258
Product dimensions: 6.07(w) x 8.81(h) x 0.73(d)

About the Author

Rick Coste has written and produced 14 podcast series for a worldwide audience of over one million listeners. An avid reader, his lifelong love of science led him to write, produce, and host the popular science education show Evolution Talk. Coste’s work as a writer and producer was featured in the nightly television series NHChronicle (on ABC affiliate WMUR). For more information, visit EvolutionTalk.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xi

Part 1 The Pre-Darwinians 1

Chapter 1 The Fossil Finder 3

Chapter 2 Aristotle and Design 11

Chapter 3 Evolutions Poet 15

Chapter 4 Of Mermaids and Men 21

Chapter 5 Saint-Malo's Mathematician 27

Chapter 6 Diderot's Dream 31

Chapter 7 A Slow-Moving Ocean 37

Chapter 8 It's Only Skin Deep 41

Chapter 9 From the Sea 45

Chapter 10 Blind Moles and Dodos 51

Chapter 11 Of Poor Timber 55

Chapter 12 An Absent Creator 61

Chapter 13 The Gardener's Peas 67

Chapter 14 Anticipating Darwin 73

Part 2 Darwin Steps In 75

Chapter 15 Darwin before the Beagle 77

Chapter 16 HMS Beagle 81

Chapter 17 The Calm before the Storm 85

Chapter 18 On the Origin of Species 91

Chapter 19 Alfred Russel Wallace 97

Chapter 20 Darwin's Doubts 101

Chapter 21 A Question of Design 107

Chapter 22 God 113

Chapter 23 Natural Selection Simplified 119

Part 3 Evolution Tales 125

Chapter 24 The Beginning 127

Chapter 25 Cyanobacteria 131

Chapter 26 Reproduction 135

Chapter 27 Multicellular 141

Chapter 28 An Arms Race 145

Chapter 29 Out of the Sea 149

Chapter 30 Is Everything Related? 155

Chapter 31 Mistakes Were Made 161

Chapter 32 A Whale of a Tale 165

Chapter 33 Putting the Selection in Sex 169

Chapter 34 Altruism 173

Chapter 35 Coevolution 179

Chapter 36 Brains 185

Chapter 37 Convergence 191

Chapter 38 Genetic Drift 195

Part 4 The Wonder of It All 199

Chapter 39 Self-Directed Evolution 201

Chapter 40 Are We Unique? 205

Chapter 41 Are We Still Evolving? 209

Chapter 42 Just a Theory 215

Chapter 43 Evolutionary Psychology 221

Chapter 44 The Predictive Power of Evolution 227

Chapter 45 We Are Unique 235

Chapter 46 An Endless Tale 239

Bibliography 239

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