The Making of the Fittest

DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution

By: Sean B. Carroll

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

DNA evidence not only solves crimes; in Sean Carroll's hands, it will now end the Evolution Wars.

DNA is the genetic material that defines us as individuals. Over the last two decades, it has emerged as a powerful tool for solving crimes and determining guilt and innocence. But, very recently, an important new aspect of DNA has been revealed: it contains a detailed record of evolution. That is, DNA is a living chronicle of how the marvelous creatures that inhabit our planet have adapted to its many environments, from the freezing waters of the Antarctic to the lush canopy of the rain forest.

In this fascinating narrative, Sean Carroll guides listeners on a tour of the massive DNA record of three billion years of evolution to see how the fittest are made. And what an eye-opening tour it is - one featuring immortal genes, fossil genes, and genes that bear the scars of past battles with horrible diseases. This book clinches the case for evolution, beyond any reasonable doubt.

©2007 Sean B. Carroll (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"Carroll offers some provocative and convincing evidence." (Publishers Weekly)
"Here is evolution clearly explained and stoutly defended." (Booklist)

Sean Carroll is brilliant

fascinating review of evolution, with a brief discussion of the science of DNA. The content was excellent. wish the narrator had provided a more polished reading.

An important message that needed a better narrator

This book provides a good overview of evolutionary biology, concluding with an explanation of how important it is to overcome the ignorance of creationism--even if it's called intelligent design. But the narrator insists on using goofy pseudo-accents whenever he reads the author's quotations from other books, distracting from the subject.

Evidence for evolution

A well supported explanation and defense of evolution. Carroll provides more technical details than other popular accounts.

So that's Evolution

Sean Carrol takes on the theory of evolution using DNA as the focus. In his book "The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution," Carroll makes evolution and DNA approachable.

It has always seemed to me that those who believe in a God, god, or a creator have no more problems than those who don't - so far as the ultimate origin of life is concerned. Those looking to support their faith or destroy the beliefs of others there will find no help here. Rather, Carroll deftly helps the reader to understand why species appear as they do NOW and how some did not make it to the present. Therefore, everyone can relax and learn what science has found about DNA and evolution to date. Audible listeners will be rewarded.

Actually, my reading of the book has brought a larger interest in evolution, DNA and disease. Carroll discusses cancer and links Malaria to Sickle Cell for example. These passages have focused and adjusted my views of disease - their origins and possible cures. I also found the sections related to DNA that is lost through disuse was very informative.

The book is wonderfully written, very well read, and will inform all who enounter it.

the molecular case for evolution

-excellent narration.

-The authors' main motivation is to argue the case for evolution. He does so with a broad spectrum of EVIDENCE. For example, he discusses the evolution of photoreceptors across a range of animals. Very interesting.

-the final segment presents some of the controversy of evolution verse intelligent design, which I found less interesting than main discussion of the book.