Blueprints: Solving the Mystery of Evolution

by Maitland Armstrong Edey and Maitland A. Edey -

Book Overview

This traces the evolution of evolution, from scientists' first conception of the process to their ability to shape its course. It shows us the extent of our power and the consequences. The authors have written Lucy: the Beginnings of Humankind.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316210765
• ISBN13: 9780316210768
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Length: 418 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The History of Evolution Told Simply

Edey and Johanson do a splendid job of detailing the philosophies and scientific discoveries that led to the formation of modern evolutionary thought. The history they present is filled with interesting details and offers a good refresher on high school biology. It begins with many pre-Darwinian thoughts and works its way up to the present (or 1990). Along the way the authors occasionally dialogue between themselves explaining various topics, offering analogies for concepts, presenting possible theories, and giving personal details about the men and women involved in this field....the book is more presentational rather than apologetic. On occasion the authors did generalize creationism with Biblical fundamentalism, but they also admit once to the difficulty of originating life. I would also have liked to have seen more fossil discoveries outside the realm of humanity, a discussion on stem cell and embryo development, and perhaps a brief tracing of the likely line of descent from single celled bacteria to the major classes of vertebrates. (I am a theist, so take into consideration any bias.)Overall, there were only a few tedious pages, but it is otherwise an excellent book that I had a hard time putting down.

A great resource!

Don't worry if you are not a science-oriented person! This is a great resource for anyone interested in evolution, dna and natural selection. The book is almost a dialogue between the authors and each topic's history, growth and purpose is given in everyday language and images. If you are a scientist, you will still find this a valuable tool, especially if you've ever tried to explain some of these issues to non-scientists.

A stroll through the history of our species.

Blueprints is just what the title says. A look at how evolution performed its magic work, on our species and others. While I started reading this book knowing what evolution was, I left it knowing how it works. Taking you from the first scientific investigation of the relations of species, through to the discovery of DNA, Maitland Edey and Donald Johanson clearly and easily walk you through time. The concepts are explained simply and succinctly, in an entertaining style that often includes humorous incidents as the world of science lurched toward our current level of understanding. I would recommend this book to anyone, including students, who wishes to experience the evolution of evolution