Captivating Life: A Naturalist in the Age of Genetics

by John C. Avise and AVISE J

Writing in the tradition of E. O. Wilson and Margaret D. Lowman, Avise recounts his scientific adventures with many animals in the wild and reflects more widely on the artistry of scientific discovery... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560989572
• ISBN13: 9781560989578
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books (DC)
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Another great book from Avise

I read this book after citing Avise's work in my thesis and in papers. I have enjoyed reading other scientist's autobiographies, such as E.O. Wilson's "Naturalist", Geerat Vermeij's "Priveleged Hands", and Eric Pianka's "The Lizard Man Speaks". Avise's autobiography is in the same vein; he recounts his childhood and his entry into academic life. I must say it was reassuring to read that he had difficulty with funding as a new professor! He also describes research he has performed, from coral to birds to turtles, and tells stories on graduate students and colleagues. Like many scientists who have achieved so much so early in their careers, Avise has a healthy ego. (Obviously! He wrote an autobiography at what age?) However, his little bouts of bragging in the book do not make it unreadable. After I was through reading this book, I gave it to my mother. I think it is written clearly enough for a non-scientist to enjoy it and to understand the basics of phylogeography.