Evolution

This book is divided into 44 mini-articles about various topics in skeletal anatomy, then photographs of skeletons illustrating that topic. For example, Chapter 16 is "The Sparrow's Beak", and a brief amount of information relating to the diversity that sparrows beaks come in is given, followed by photos of various species of sparrow skulls.The articles are a page or two long, informative without being too technical, and translated fluently (this was a concern of mine before buying it).I ostensibly bought this book to share with my 6 yr old son, and he enjoys looking at the pictures with me, but the text is unmistakably geared to adults.It is also not a treatise on proving that evolution occurred, it has a general assumption that the reader understands the concept of natural selection and the basic processes of evolution.The only thing that I could see making this book bigger would be if it were larger - it is sized to fit on a standard bookshelf. If I found this book in a coffee-table sized edition, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.Note: There is a larger previous edition from 2007 of this book, one that has a rattlesnake skeleton on the front. This version is apparently smaller, alas.

Terrific text and wonderful pictures, but I have to say that if you've seen the older, larger version of this book, you may be disappointed. I bought this for my 8 year old who loves animal skeletons. It's sized right for him, but we'd previously had the coffee table book from the library and I wish I'd bought that instead (As I write this, it's still available, used, at less than fifty dollars from third party sellers here on Amazon). It's huge and a little unwieldy, but with that larger version, the pictures take your breath away. Here, well...not so much. In fact, when they're spread over two pages in this smaller version it's actually hard to see what's missing deep in the binding. I recommend that you look for a good used copy of the larger, older edition. This smaller format just doesn't do the photos justice.

I just got this today. I bought it as an illustrator and concept artist to be used primarily for reference. The photos are nothing short of brilliant. However the relatively small physical size of the book is a little disappointing and makes the photos difficult to really appreciate - its smaller than a standard A4 page. In addition there are some photos that are double page - however the seam of the book cuts these photos in two - straight through the middle - and with the additional bulk of the book seeing these photos completely is next to impossible. Making it even more painful to use this book for reference. Had the publisher merely printed this book in a larger format - it would be an indispensable source of reference and its photos might have been fully appreciated. Ive yet to read the book - but this wasnt the reason i bought it - i havent seen too many books that show full skeletons of animals and this was why i bought this book - hence the three stars. If anyone knows of any books that have great and extensive pictures of animal bones plz do msg me. Cheers.

It is easy to spend hours with this book. The amazing b&w photographs are spare and beautiful, and invite the reader/viewer to look for similarities and differences in all sorts of vertebrates (and a few invertebrates too!)I think what I did not expect (and which is explained in the text), is that I got a real sense of all of these skeletons as once belonging to individuals; my cousins in the animal kingdom and not just the apes, either. Although, there's one frontal picture of the skull of a small ape/monkey/tree-dweller that looks just like a modern human skull. I mean *just like!*The text includes rational discussion about evolution and the teaching thereof, plus introduced this American reader to some French scientists and naturalists from the 18th century who were arriving at various non-theological answers to questions about life on earth.Really, really good. I have seldom encountered a "coffee table" book that offered so much intellectual and visual stimulation.

I don't think I need to repeat what many reviewers have already written, but I simply want to add that I absolutely LOVE this book. I thought that my 12 year old grandson who is a font of wisdom about evolution would enjoy it, and since I share his enthusiasms I was also looking forward to leisurely studying the photographs. But I was surprised at how this book touched me. As I started to read it I found myself enthralled both with the pictures and with the text. I love the way the text and the accompanying photos come together and create a story. Each short chapter is a piece of the story of evolution, and of course, what a magnificent story that is!

The starkness of these photographs caught my eye in a book review in the Wall Street Journal, so I bought the book. I'm intrigued by the subject and this approach, comparing similar skeletons by eliminating all other variables and just showing the bare bones (as it were) in black and white. The photos are stunning and detailed and intriguing to compare and would themselves qualify as science if they were accompanied by more thorough explanations and captions and if they were arranged in a less obscure system. However, the text offers only the most abstract and convoluted quasi-philosophical mumbledy-jumble which I'm sure sounded a lot more impressive in the original French. In other words, it's really just a semi-educational coffee table book. This is a shame, because the concept is great and the photographer brilliant.

Very simple and understandable writing.

This is a beautifully illustrated and well-written treatise on the subject of evolution, clearly presenting homologies across various species. The only problem I encountered was the fact that my copy was bound upside down! This was not a significant problem for me, but I wonder whether this was a more widespread error for this entire printing.

This book has had extremely good reviews. It is a little too long winded for that I think and the photographs, though excellent are not organised in a way which makes evolution clear, are not well explained to non medical / zoological readers and are rather repetitive. Hence 3 stars. But the quality of the photography is beyond reproach.

This large book of exquisitely beautiful photographs of skeletons not only shows the evolution of a series of vertebrate skeletons, but is also a masterpiece of skilful design shown in the page layouts, and of photography shown in the subtle lighting of the exhibits, many of which explain motion.Amazing! Good for hours of fascinated browsing. Compare and enjoy!

This book is amazing, soooo interesting. A book I love and will re read and cherish for ages. Beautifully presented, a joy to own. Huge thanks. Sandy,.

First time I ordered this book I got the small one. This time I received the large version. In great condition too although 2nd hand. Very pleased.

Plongée passionnante pour comprendre comment la vie a taillé son chemin sur terre et apercevoir à travers la peau et les millénaires d’évolution.