New Book from George Williams

The Pony Fish's Glow and Other Clues to Plan and Purpose in Nature (1997) New York: Basic Books, $20 hardback (wait for the paper & spend half as much), 184 pp. Part of the Science Masters Series, started in part by the late John Brockman. Clear, brief introduction to adaptation, natural selection, kinship effects, and related topics. Interesting, human examples. Mentions the (early Darwin?) role of natural selection as a conservative factor, one that discourages change in living creatures. Pleads for knowledge of evolution as part of medical training. Helpful leads to other resources.

Other volumes in this series include "The Origin of Humankind" by Richard Leakey and "River out of Eden" by Dawkins. Future contributions are promised from Stephen Jay Gould, Steven Pinker, Lynn Margulis, and others.

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