The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time
Ratings3
Average rating4.3
15
Ratings3
Average rating4.3
On a desert island in the heart of the Galapagos archipelago, where Darwin received his first inklings of the theory of evolution, two scientists, Peter and Rosemary Grant, have spent twenty years proving that Darwin did not know the strength of his own theory. For among the finches of Daphne Major, natural selection is neither rare nor slow: it is taking place by the hour, and we can watch.
In this dramatic story of groundbreaking scientific research, Jonathan Weiner follows these scientists as they watch Darwin's finches and come up with a new understanding of life itself. The Beak of the Finch is an elegantly written and compelling masterpiece of theory and explication in the tradition of Stephen Jay Gould.
With a new preface.
Reviews with the most likes.
It got repetitive. Let me some up. No rain: things happen to the finches and certain types are selected. Lots of rain: things happen to the finches and certain types are selected. #no spoilers on what. It was interesting the quotes from Darwin and the implications on modern results. As a non-scientist, it dragged on a little to much for me to follow.
I read this during my first trip to the Galapagos, and it was extremely interesting, particularly in the place and within sight of the finches of the story. Terrific. Made me want to collect samples, sequence everything, and figure how it all works.
