30-Second Evolution: The 50 most significant ideas and events, each explained in half a minute

by Mark Fellowes (Editor), Nick Battey (Editor)

Adapt or die: it’s nature’s most famous imperative. But how does evolution actually happen? It’s too slow to see, but it’s going on all around you, all the time. Even if you’re on top of the key terms—variation? Natural selection? Parent-offspring conflict?—you still, need some context to put them in. From populations to speciation, and polymorphism to evolutionary psychology, here’s the one-stop source for all you need to know. 30-Second Evolution unlocks the laboratory of life, dissecting it into the 50 most significant topics that provide the missing links to understand the natural world’s...

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Evolution, Biology, Anthropology, Reference

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fellowes & Battey have orchestrated a condensed overview of the key principles of evolution without dumbing-down the material. The result is both an intelligent introduction and a workable refresher of the core concepts of evolution science.

Genetics, taxonomy, mutations, drift, convergent evolution and industrial melanism are but a few of the 50 important concepts and ideas discussed here. The editors have also included brief bios of pioneering scientists who have contributed and advanced the study of evolution, people like Charles Darwin, Lynn Margulis and Richard Leakey.

30-Second Evolution isn't comprehensive or exhaustive, but it is ideal for anyone wanting an academic intro or review.

[Ali Zafari · Rating 4 out of 5]

واقعا کتاب خوبی بود برای آشنایی با نظریه‌ی تکامل. اختصارش در توضیح هر فصل خیلی مناسب بود. ترجمه هم عالی

اگه اشتباه نکنم صادق (مترجم کتاب) خودش دانشجوی دکترای فلسفه تو شریفه و تز کارشناسی ارشدش هم درباره‌ی تکامل بوده
و من شانس اینو داشتم که طی یه دوره‌ی کوتاه از زبان خودش در مورد تکامل بشنوم
و دیگه اینکه مترجم، توی یکی دو اپیزود از پادکست خودکست هم در مورد تکامل حرف زده که با یه سرچ، راحت پیدا میشن

[Olena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Det var bra boken med vackra biologiska bilder. Den berättade om olika förskarer-evolutionist. Ukrainsk-amerikansk genetiker Theodosius Dobzhansky var bland dem.
Klassificering av organismer bevisar evolutionär utveckling.
Det är intressant att veta att det finns också Crafoord priset förutom Nobel priset.

[Am Y · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very thought-provoking and interesting read - a lot of the key concepts in evolution are all in here.

However the editing and text was subpar. E.g. Some points were so badly put across that I had problems deciphering what they really meant. A sentence, for instance, would suggest that "A was B". But 1-2 sentences later, the way another sentence was worded would make you question, "Did they really mean A was B earlier? Or did they mean A was C?" Some of the concepts were not explained clearly or well from a linguistic perspective, causing confusion.

[Alexandru Somesan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An absolute beginner's introduction to evolution. It raises some interesting points and also it includes a lot of images that support the ideas or events. However, its structure is really bad: 1 page of text per topic, with 3 sections, a lot of repetition across sections and topics. Also, the book gives too much bio info about key scientists - that I don't care about, just tell me how they contributed not who they married and other redundant details.

[Sohail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very scanty and sometimes even superficial, this book only touches the subject but does not delve into it, leaving the reader not satisfied and wanting more. A relatively interesting book for the beginners, but not enough, not for the beginners and not for the people who are already familiar with the topic.

[Jasper Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found that 30-Second Evolution by Mark Fellowes to be very interesting in the kind of book that it is. This is a book that shows fifty theories, famous people, and ideas all revolving a common subject, the theory of evolution. Some issues might include the philosophy of evolution, the tree of life, the controversies of evolution, the creationism theory, and so forth. What I also find really unique about this book is that, besides other usual science books or textbooks, is that nothing is really in chronological order and that it is sectioned off in different subtopics of evolution. This book talks about some topics that the whole world does not entirely believe in, and it is for those those who believe it know what it is, but they don't know how it works. It might not have the value of a classic book, but it is a easy read for those who want to go beyond general knowledge of the basics people already should know. I would definitely recommend this book to those who want to go beyond general knowledge of something that is not boldly proven or accepted by everyone.

[Wicked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great precis of evolutionary theory. Not to be used as a textbook, more of a primer.

[Joeri Ryckaseys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuke introductie in de wondere wereld van de evolutietheorie :) Met moderne inzichten rond genen, natuurlijke en seksuele selectie.

[Diyorbek · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know how this format supposed to be but its definitely not for me or the people who want some engagement. The worst writing structure I have ever come across.

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic way to learn about Evolution easily. Entertaining and accessible.

[Harry Watt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool introduction to some new concepts and authors.

[Roberto Rigolin F Lopes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a high speed trip through what we know about natural evolution. You may have a quick overview of several ideas but Darwin’s is ubiquitous in this book. Life is a gigantic fractal of feedback loops responding to changes; here we have 50 interactions (?).

[Emma-Louise Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. Eye opening and breath taking! Learnt so much and my knowledge I already had was expanded and backed up with this book. Love the chapters and the slots. Amazing book for all!