WHAT ON EARTH EVOLVED?
Author: Christopher Lloyd
Summary:
Divided into small chapters packed with intriguing insights this book attempts nothing
less than to describe the history of evolution on Earth. The first part deals with the
mechanics of evolution before humansshowing how replicating molecules led ultimately to
the development of dinosaurs and mammalseach species from germ to brontosaurus getting
its own fascinating treatment. The second part shows us how from 12,000 years ago ,
humanity has affected evolution itself from the cultivation of plants to the domestication
of animals. This is a process the author calls artifical evolution and we are shown its
huge effect on each branch of the natural world. Lastly there is a section dealing with
the impact of all the species discussed, assessing their influence on the history
of the world with surprising results. Lloyd is a magpie for interesting facts -for
example did you know that through a quirk of the evolution of disease the great plagues
of medieval times in Europe have made Europeans more immune than others to rhe ravages
of HIV? What on Earth Evolved is a highly readable and eye-opening account of our world
and as our own species faces some its greatest future challenges it is also a highly
relevant one.
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Book Reviews
REVIEW user: jade | date: 2010-07-15 05:06:38 | user rate: 
Our teens are devouring this book and ideas are bursting out all over. It is organized in short chapters which can be read and discussed in any order. Great book for igniting curiosity. Very accessible to scientifically interested readers.REVIEW user: flower | date: 2010-07-13 12:05:04 | user rate:
Bought this book as a Christmas present for my wife. It became the hot topic at our house over the Holidays. First heard about the book through an NPR radio interview of the author.