Introducing Evolution: A Graphic Guide

Introducing Graphic Guides

by Dylan Evans, Howard Selina (Illustrator)

Introducing Evolution explores evolutionary theory from its origins to its reception across history and how it has been developed and refined. Drawing on the latest findings from genetics, ecology, and animal behavior, it unravels the central and often misunderstood concepts, notably natural selection and the selfish gene.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Biology, Evolution, Comics, Graphic Novels, Natural History

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 1997

About the author

Dylan Evans is the founder of Projection Point, the global leader in risk intelligence solutions. He has written several popular science books, including Risk Intelligence: How to Live with Uncertainty (2012), Emotion: The Science of Sentiment (2001) and Placebo: The Belief Effect (2003), and in 2001 he was voted one of the twenty best young writers in Britain by the Independent on Sunday. He received a PhD in Philosophy from the London School of Economics in 2000, and has held academic appointments at King's College London, the University of Bath, the University of the West of England, and University College Cork, and the American University of Beirut.

Reviews

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evolution is one of the few concepts that changed how we look at human beings and other species. Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution is a very important topic that almost students should learn in their schools. This is a book that will help you learn all the important concepts in it, like a comic book with beautiful illustrations and layouts.

Books like this will bring people closer to science and make it a more fun experience.
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[Mo]

Easy-to read comic book. Didn't really learn any knew things because we already discussed all of this in our Biology classes, but it is still interesting and nice to see everything in an overview. The last pages were a bit boring to me (about what the future holds, how we define nature etc.). Nonetheless I recommend it to anyone who likes the subject evolution or would like to learn more about it :)

P.S. Really interesting that they used to call the evolution theory / the theory of natural selection 'universal acid' because it 'ruined' the mindset/ideas for millions of religious people.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good! I might need to reread it to fully understand it but I liked it a lot. I thought it would be useful for the course I am taking at university and it so was.

I definitely recommend books like this :)

[Mariam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humans have wondered, for thousands of years, about the meaning of life - Why are we here? Where do we come from? What is our purpose? The traditional answers, provided by many religions, have usually involved the idea of God – or gods. These old ideas are somewhat threatened by the theory of evolution. And I say “somewhat” because it is neither the theory of evolution on its own, nor the theory of natural selection on its own but “the theory of evolution by natural selection” that really undermines religious beliefs.
However there are people who appreciate and bear witness to the theory of evolution and still maintain their religious viewpoint. Wherever you choose to stand, this book is very interesting and informative and should serves as a great starting point and ideal guide to theory of evolution. It is full of illustrations - almost a picture book, even so, engaging and amusing.
I appreciate the author’s efforts to cover all aspects of the topic including its Philosophical aspects! He engagingly runs through Evolutionary Psychology, Cultural evolution - as in art, morality and language - Evolutionary Epistemology, Ethics, Robotics as well as Moral Evolution, Altruism, Moral Sentiments, et al, which he consistently and unfailingly connects to Biological evolution.
There is a list of further reading at the end of the book, which is great for those that intend to explore and research deeper.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Informative, but easy to follow and understand.

[Gautham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick overview on evolution.

[Orlando Hoop Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

good and quick ol' catch up on evolution. yep. still there.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accessible guide for the average intelligent reader. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"My dear, let us hope it is not true; but, if it is true, let us hope it will not become generally known."--the Bishop of Birmingham's wife.

"universal acid" and "Darwin's dangerous idea"--Daniel C. Dennett's descriptions of evolution.

"I have no need for that hypothesis."--Pierre Simon de Laplace (1749-1827) after being asked, What part does God play in your universe?

"All attempts to answer that question before 1859 are worthless and . . . we will be better off if we ignore them completely."--George Gaylord Simpson after being asked, What is Man?

"It often involves the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact."--Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-95) speaking about scientific progress.

[Metin Yılmaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enfes bir başlangıç kitabı olmuş. Hemen hemen herşeyden az biraz bahsedip, basit ama net bir dille anlatılmaya çalışılmış. Her bireyin okuması gereken başlangıç kitaplarından biri olduğunu düşünüyorum.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little read, with the ground basis of Evolution discussed in a series of brilliant pictures, illustrations and comic book style pages. It held a fair amount of great information on the topic, from origins, survival of the fittest, evolutionary concepts, reproduction and mutation to name a few.

This book provides a great grounding in information for this field, perfect for any wanting to know more about this topic without needing or having any prior experience. It’s also a great recap for those facing this subject in school or university, giving the reader a fun and novel way of learning without having to read reams and reams of block text!

I enjoyed the illustrations and actually did learn a few new things considering I have studied this topic before. It was a nice refresh and booster to my knowledge on the subject.

[LUCAS H. GOLDING · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read that doesn’t get bogged down with technical jargon. A great introduction to the the study of evolution. This book is perfect for kids, lot of fun illustrations and not too long. I wish I had read it when I was younger. It would have saved me a tremendous amount of time with some specific concepts in the subject.

[Icon Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1859, Charles Darwin shocked the world with a radical theory - evolution by natural selection. One hundred and fifty years later, his theory still challenges some of our most precious beliefs. "Introducing Evolution" provides a step-by-step guide to 'Darwin's dangerous idea' and takes a fresh look at the often misunderstood concepts of natural selection and the selfish gene. Drawing on the latest findings from genetics, ecology and animal behaviour - as well as the work of best-selling science writers such as Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker - a string of brilliant examples, superbly illustrated by Howard Selina, reveals how the evidence in favour of evolutionary theory is stronger than ever. With wit and clarity, Dylan Evans addresses many puzzling issues: Did life first evolve on other planets? What's the advantage of having sex? Why do your parents look after you? And what good to a bird is half a wing? From the death of the dinosaurs to the development of digital organisms, "Introducing Evolution" brings Darwin up-to-date with the latest scientific discoveries. This is the ideal guide to the most important idea ever to appear in the history of science.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting the first time I read it (in Dublin, where I first came across these little books).

I now have about six from this series, and have parked them on a shelf in the downstairs loo. It makes a cold place much more inviting! I found I understood this book much better by reading it slowly, a few pages at a time (the pages are tiny and mostly pictures, so there is only a sentence or two on each page).

In fact, the funny thing about this series is that I am not sure it’s accurate to call them ‘an introduction to’ a topic. So far, I’ve found that they help to make sense of complex topics that I already know a bit about. I think if I knew absolutely nothing to start with, it wouldn’t be enough - but then, I’ve always been more of a words than pictures person. The combination of words and pictures works really well though.

I think I’ll read the Critical Theory one next, but from what I remember, that one is more tough-going :)

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last part of the book on artificial life and genetic algorithms nicely rounded out the book and made it return to the biginning with an expaned view of evolution and some of the questions that were posed.

[Celia Sánchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one.....from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being,evolved ... (Charles Darwin Origin of species: 1859)

One of the main limitation in our cognitive ability to understand the science of evolution is the timescale involved ...Unlike religion which talks about 3000 or 4000 years,the story of evolution spans over 3 billion years and shows how microscopic single-celled organisms transformed Earth and gave rise to complex organisms like animals

In clubhouse conversations (audio net work platform in which i participate)... reg the topic of natural selection two questions are asked frequently ..where did the first species come from ?How did life on the planet get started in the first place ..Despite the title there is nothing in "Origin of species' about the origin of life on earth ...Darwin did offer a vague suggestion reg this in a letter written to his friend ' "In warm little pond with all sorts of Ammonia & phosphoric acid ..light heat electricity etc(ref:Stanley miller experiment )...Darwinian natural selection starts it's game from first self_replicating cell and has nothing to do with abiogenisis ...

this book has more to do with basics .. I got intrested in English philosophor 'John Loke's concept of human nature.. that Humans exist in a cultural world that has completely broken from natural one..Human mind is a like a blank state on which different culture can write any thing they want ( earlier read some thing similar to this ( The God Delusion...the term "Memes " coined by Susan blackmore/Richard dawkins to denote the hypothetical unit of cultural evolution )...

Steven pinker had written a book elaborating the subject which is in my to read list The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature

=Dylan Evan's gives us a over view ( each topic only covers one or two pages)...reg natural selection ,evolutionary epistemology , moral evolution/ethics,artifical life,genetic alogrithms , evolutionary robotics ..etc ...

recommended for beginners ...

[Sally Sugarman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introducing Evolution: A Graphic Guide –Dylan Evans and Howard Selina
This is a series that I am enthusiastic about. The amount of knowledge I have about the different topics I have read about varies. Physics, for example, is a subject in which I have never taken any courses so books on that topic are challenging and informative. On other topics, with which I have some knowledge, the books are also challenging and informative. They raise issues that require me to think freshly about a topic. The combination of the visual and the literary works effectively for me. There is usually some humor in the juxtaposition of the cartoons and the profound ideas that are being elucidated. In this book for example the guide to the different concepts may be a Charles Darwin figure or an ape in a business suit. I now understand the nature of Darwin’s dangerous idea more fully than I did before. The books also show how scientific knowledge builds on past knowledge and how the questions one body of work fails to address fully contribute to the next thinker who comes along. Questions are raised along the way that shake up your thinking. One of the interesting questions in this book is why people need the idea of god or gods as was true earlier. Why does this idea persist? The field of evolutionary psychology is new to me, but it looks at what ideas persist over time and over cultures. The idea that it is not only that all races of humans come from the same source, but that animals and plants also come from the same source should affect our relationship to the natural world. Ten percent of our genetic makeup is similar to that of bananas is a startling idea. That technology makes evolutionary robotics a possibility is intriguing if not a little frightening. The other aspect of the books is their annotated further reading lists at the end. I never thought that I would particularly want to read Darwin’s Origin of the Species, but now I do, even though it doesn’t answer the question of where did life on earth originate. I can’t pretend that I understand all of the concepts in each field. These books are introductions after all, but I understand more and want to know and read more..It seems to me that these formats suggest more exciting ways for people to learn than are being used in our schools at present. Developing multiple modalities of learning seems to be the future model of education we should pursue.

[Elliot Ratzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

T.H. Huxley once quipped that Darwin’s theory was “the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis”—divine Creation—"by an ugly fact.” I read this in one sitting while I was preparing for a lecture on evolution and religion. With each book I read about evolution, I learn something new, and this was no exception. Though my mind is confused by the details of genetics, the overall picture this introduction provides was fairly clear. The author—who seems to be a scientifically literate philosopher—seems to rely quite a bit on Richard Dawkins and in 2001 before he became the Public Atheist, and I was glad to read that the misunderstood bits of Dawkins—like the metaphoric ‘selfish’ in the selfish gene theory—were noted. This guide also gave an overview of different aspects of evolution’s application including computers and robots, theories of religion and ethics, ideas and culture. Lots of items got nods, although anyone serious about studying evolution needs can’t just rely on this one graphic guide.

[Van Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have me a brief understanding of what I missed in my high school days of biology and evolutionary science.
What I didnt like was it taught itself, the myth of science and how science being about facts, can also lead to the same myth as "religion" which they intensely and biasly disregard as myth itself.

Thus at times this book at times was a bit too bias of science but remains open to the potential of science and its theories.

This book is good start to those who want to touch up on a hit of the concept of biology and evolution with illustrations and diagrams. But take their bias comments with a grain of salt.
Other than that it helped me grasp the basic concepts for evolution and biology.

Looking forward to stepping deeper into the realm of evolution one day - origins of species... by C. Darwin

[Vamsidhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Species are evolved basing on Law of Natural Selection. Majority are aware of this concept but this book took it to next level explaining underlying process.

Especially shook with concept of cell biology, DNA&Genes function, sexual selection, The selfish Gene,the blind watchmaker
Add on concepts of evolutionary psychology and theory that art, music, math May be byproducts of evolution.

One more profound insight that like survival and sexual instincts humans over period of evolution may developed moral and altruistic instinct.

[Ain Atila · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second book from this series after that Relativity book.

Buku nipis je 176 pages tapi it took me about 1 week juga nak habiskan because I read word by word. Nampak je macam buku komik sebab banyak ilustrasi but it’s more than that. It feels like I’m reading about evolution, human + animal reproduction, and universe, all combined.

If you need a good book that can enlighten you about evolution in a simple way, this is for you. Yang baik kita ambil, yang tidak setuju kita tinggalkan.

Actual rating 4.5/5 ⭐️

[Steve Smits · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief, clear overview of evolution and natural selection. I am glad there was commentary on contrarian positions on the validity of evolution such as creationism and intelligent design, both spurious, and to me infuriating, attempts to cloak religious dogma as science. The section on altruism as an evolutionary phenomenon is well-explained as is the evolutionary utility of ethics, morality and even superstition.

[Analuabc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Segundo livro que leio da colecção e confere, é uma boa introdução ao tema mas que planta vontade de saber mais, daí ser agradável ter no fim sugestões de vários livros.
Baseando-se quase todo ele na teoria de Darwin, menciona vários outros cientistas posteriores que também contribuíram para a evolução da própria teoria.
Bonecos um pouco menos assustadores que do livro sobre AI mas com algumas surpresas.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as I needed it for a reading prompt. I enjoyed it. I liked how it was written in a fairly easy to understand way with short sections on each thing in order to not overwhelm you. I also enjoyed the illustrations throughout to help separate the text and make it not feel laborious to read. I would recommend this book especially to people studying biology who may want to know more about the subject or are struggling with any specific areas.

[neonvalleystreet · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10

This was great! The author seemed to have an axe to grind, but it was an easy read, with great recommendations at the end. I've been reading more on evolution recently and this book helped me understand the basics. I don't know where I'd be without this book. It was really entertaining as well! This is a must-read for anyone interested in evolution. I've noticed that the other evolution books I'm reading require a surface-level understanding of evolution that you can get from this book.

[Sandeep Gautam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to evolution and related concepts. The illustrations are of good quality and apt as per the book's theme. Read this along with 'Introducing Evolutionary Psychology: a graphic guide' to get better insight into how the human mind has evolved.
One of the better books in the graphic guides series.

[liv]

I read this to remind myself, of basic concepts of evolution. I have studies the concepts at uni, in my human origins modules and am highly interested in human origins. I didn’t learn anything new but didn’t expect to. I also read it partly to see how they summarised evolution into graphics - would suggest it as a quick read.

[Werner Wildenboer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always fascinating to learn more about evolution and our origins.
The illustrations are awesome and the books flow is seamless.
What I found interesting: the 3 elements needed for evolution, the modularity of the brain and panspermia.

"...so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved"

[David Robert Bloomer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little, easy to follow introduction to the Theory of Evolution. The pictures aren't the greatest but fit in well with the easy flowing text. Recommended for people who want an initial launching pad into understanding evolution. Creationism has no place here.

[Shirlee Chia · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I have never study biology in my high school, this book is to me informative and enlightening. Of course it focuses on Darwin’s theories and therefore is just the tip on the iceberg on the subject of biology, I’m still grateful that I’ve decided to buy this book.

[Abhishek Mitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book introducing evolution

A really good book introducing key concepts in evolution. Recommended for anyone (who wants to understand the "mystery" of life) and everyone.