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This collection, with its preface by DeSilva (Dartmouth College) and contributions by eleven others, commemorates the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's publication of The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex. Less a celebration of Darwin than "a tribute to how science works," the essays reexamine Darwin's theory of human evolution in light of recent discoveries in genetics and anthropology. Eminent Darwin biographer Janet Browne introduces the collection, arguing that Darwin's aim was to show how humans gradually evolved from animals, and that the changes were "only of degree, not kind." Clearly Darwin believed a civilized country should aid the sick and help the weak, yet the impact of his work has undeniably provided justification for discredited ideologies of racial superiority, "reproductive constraint" (enforced sterilization), and class distinction. Contributors provide modern reflections on particular chapters of The Descent, addressing, e.g., evolution of the human brain and fossil evidence for evolution. Agustin Fuentes tackles "Race, Racism, Science, and Hope" (chapter 7), while Holly Dunsworth offers "This View of Wife" (chapter 9). Ann Gibbons concludes by considering overall Darwin's evidence on human origins. This summary of Darwin's contributions to understanding human evolution should interest not only biologists and anthropologists but all concerned about the fate of the human species.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.

An independent historian of science and medicine, Sankaran adopts a narrative approach, often punctuated by literary references, a presentation style that makes her text a treat to read. The author's background is eclectic as reflected in her choices of non-scientific material. Sankaran explores scientific personalities and the effects of their disagreements, usually ignored in narrowly focused scientific meetings. But discussion of personalities does not detract from Sankaran's description of their scientific work. Rather, she employs the conflicts to good effect, as this approach enables her to add references to how certain research was done--almost always by a lone worker, or perhaps a helper, as compared to the present-day situation where most research is done by large project groups working together. Drawing parallels between the research environment of yesteryear and the world of Charles Dickens may seem a stretch, but this method is thought provoking. As suggested by her title, Sankaran draws analogy to Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities in recounting the twin discoveries of the Rous sarcoma virus and the healing potential of bacteriophages. In the process of identifying a number of viruses and describing the unfolding reality of the bacteriophage, she also adds considerably to the reader's grasp of nomenclature. Reading this book offers both pleasure and education.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

In this work Snyder (Kingston Univ. London) offers a sweeping introduction to bacterial genetics, connecting seminal experiments and well-known challenges to very recent discoveries. To cite one example, she describes the long-known challenge of antibiotic resistance, then notes growing interest in the potential to design pharmaceuticals that target "quorum sensing," disrupting communication among bacterial cells, as a strategy to stall infection. Throughout the volume, abundant and incisive illustrations capture key points from the text; occasionally, a larger display would be helpful. That said, a feature worth noting is the publisher's supporting website, where a complete library of images from the book, along with flashcards and study question answers, are freely available (https://routledgetextbooks.com/textbooks/9780815345695/). In contrast to the many available texts focusing on classical genetics or on much newer methods in bioinformatics, Snyder seamlessly addresses both, framing bioinformatics essentially as a new and powerful toolkit with which to address enduring questions about bacteria, including, for example, the rate at which genetic material is transferred between strains and species. Many of the "discussion topics" sections raise complex, unresolved questions that will be inspiring starting points for classroom discussions and for general readers interested to test their understanding and to appreciate the centrality of bacterial genomics to basic biology, and to medicine.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates. Students in two-year technical programs. General readers.

Carroll (Univ. of Maryland) presents an eclectic set of examples where chance has played a pivotal role in the evolution of life, the human species, and particular individuals. Chapters cover in turn the asteroid impact that ended the dinosaurs' reign; stochastic variation in temperature during the Ice Age; the role of chance in evolution (and in Darwin's long study, which resulted in modern evolutionary theory's first expression); genetic variation among humans; hypermutability of the immune system; and the relationship between mutation and cancer. His afterword features a fictitious conversation among comedians, science fiction writers, and philosophers about the role of chance in society. Carroll's central theme is that chance is the driving force in the evolution and lives of all organisms--there is no divine intervention. Although he completely fails to prove the absence of god (and in this he has lots of company), his prose is extremely easy to read, and his examples are artfully and humorously developed. Carroll goes a bit deep into molecular biology for the average reader, but he then quickly returns to layman's language and sensibilities. This book lays bare how often unpredictable events have shaped our world; it educates, engages, and entertains.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

More than half a century before Darwin sailed as naturalist aboard the HMS Beagle, Joseph Banks set sail in that capacity on the first of Captain Cook's famous voyages to circumnavigate the globe. Wealthy and well educated, Banks had a native curiosity about the natural world, especially botany. The specimens he brought back later formed the herbarium collection now preserved in London's Natural History Museum. In 1772 the King of England appointed Banks as scientific advisor at Kew Gardens, which he fashioned into the world's leading center for practical botany. In 1778 Banks was elected President of the Royal Society of London, a position he held until his death in 1820. Of several books recently published to mark the bicentenary of Banks' death, this is by far the most compelling, drawing on his widely dispersed correspondence as well as records of his voyages and many contemporary accounts. As Musgrave notes, Banks was at once "compassionate yet controlling, enlightened yet exploitative, humane yet opportunistic," and these paradoxes in part make him an interesting topic of study. Readers interested in the British Enlightenment, the history of science, or the lives of great figures who played leading roles in England's emergence as a global presence will enjoy this highly informative book.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

Using the common theme of "cellular conversations," this book covers an astonishing breadth of biological topics. By removing most of the "impenetrable jargon" from his descriptions, geriatric psychiatry specialist Lieff (https://jonlieffmd.com/about) succeeds in making the complex interactions between cells accessible for most readers. A working knowledge of basic biology is helpful, if not required. Still, the book will be an inspiring resource for any reader with a passing interest in how life works. The text is divided into four discrete but interconnected sections (offering a good metaphor for the topic at hand): body cells, brain cells, microbial interactions, and intracellular communications. Aptly enough, connections between chapters are made clear throughout the text, while the appendix and references provide the needed tools for following up. This book shines light on all of the phenomena this reviewer teaches to students of microbiology, cell and molecular biology, and immunology combined, condensing it all into under 300 pages. Academic readers may forgive the hyperbolic rhetoric ("This is the coolest thing, ever!"). Even as a veteran professor, this reviewer found herself saying, "Wow, really?" at many points while reading through the chapters. In sum, Lieff has found a key to inspiring readers to want to know more.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.