Why Evolution Is True

By: Jerry A. Coyne

Narrated by: Victor Bevine

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Why evolution is more than just a theory: it is a fact.

In all the current highly publicized debates about creationism and its descendant "intelligent design", there is an element of the controversy that is rarely mentioned: the evidence, the empirical truth of evolution by natural selection. Even Richard Dawkins and Stephen Jay Gould, while extolling the beauty of evolution and examining case studies, have not focused on the evidence itself. Yet the proof is vast, varied, and magnificent, drawn from many different fields of science. Scientists are observing species splitting into two and are finding more and more fossils capturing change in the past - dinosaurs that have sprouted feathers, fish that have grown limbs.

Why Evolution Is True weaves together the many threads of modern work in genetics, paleontology, geology, molecular biology, and anatomy that demonstrate the "indelible stamp" of the processes first proposed by Darwin. In crisp, lucid prose accessible to a wide audience, Why Evolution Is True dispels common misunderstandings and fears about evolution and clearly confirms that this amazing process of change has been firmly established as a scientific truth.

NOTE: Some changes to the original text have been made with the author's approval.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2009 Jerry A. Coyne (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"I once wrote that anybody who didn't believe in evolution must be stupid, insane or ignorant, and I was then careful to add that ignorance is no crime. I should now update my statement. Anybody who doesn't believe in evolution is stupid, insane, or hasn't read Jerry Coyne. I defy any reasonable person to read this marvellous book and still take seriously the 'breathtaking inanity' that is intelligent design 'theory' or its country cousin, young earth creationism." (Richard Dawkins)
"Coyne wonders what it would take to convince the apparently reasonable people who still deny evolution. A new Milton, perhaps, to justify evolution's ways in great poetry? Meanwhile, at a time...when good evolution books are rife, Coyne has given general readers one of the best." ( Booklist)

excellent!

Jerry Coyne is a tremendous evolutionary scientist and truly a remarkable writer. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in science rather then dogma.

Well researched

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Might, Very informative and fairly entertaining.

Any additional comments?

Enjoyed for the research and examples of many evolutionary traits. Author uses too much space refuting "Intelligent Design" when it is obvious through his research.

Loved it

This is a great review of facts that inexorably leads one to conclude that evolution is as real and true as the Earth orbiting the sun. Unless you don't want to believe it.

True, indeed.

An excellent introduction to the Theory of Evolution as well as a clear presentation of the evidence and arguments obliging a belief therein.

Evolution simplified

Amazing book. Simplifying science has always been challenging. The author is a genuine article as well. I’ve watched his lectures on YouTube. Jerry Coyne is second to none.

Excellent treatment of Evolution

I wanted to reiterate the excellent reviews already given for this book. I agree, this book is by far the best, most accessible, most interesting, presentation of evolution I've read. It's the audio-equivalent of a page-turner.

The book not only provides a concise, thorough, and logical explanation of the theory of Evolution but also methodically explains the science behind the conclusions.

The book also does an excellent job of addressing Creationist/ID arguments in a dispassionate way, then methodically explaining the scientific evidence that contradicts those arguments.

I would also recommend this book over several others I have listened to recently. Although I very much enjoyed Richard Dawkins "The Greatest Show on Earth" and would highly recommend it as a close second, the book "Why Evolution is True" is more concise, accessible, and dispassionate in tone.

"The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution" is also quite good, but has a narrower (but by no means exclusive) focus on DNA.

"Before the Dawn: Recovering the Lost History of Our Ancestors" is a great book on human evolution.

"Your Inner Fish" is good, but more of an upper division treatment of a niche topic.

However, "Why Evolution is True" is the best choice for those who are interested in learning about Evolution itself. The book covers the origins of life, to how and why fish first came on land, to when land mammals went back into the ocean and become whales (and explains the evidence), to what we have learned from DNA sequencing. It explains how feathers, wings, and eyes can evolve, the huge time frames involved, how prescient Darwin was, and so much more.

You'll learn a lot and be better able to explain and defend the science behind Evolution as well as the science that debunks ID claims. A great book that I plan to listen to again.

Superb book

I wanted to read about modern scientific approach regarding Darwin's theory. Author is just brilliant. My brain is totally convinced that evolution is true. My soul hates this fact!:).

Illuminating without being in your face

Narration: Very Good (it took me a while to get used to the narrator though)

I have read/heard a few books on evolution - this is easily the best. It answered my questions on evolution with both solid theory and examples of the theory in action; you wont be dissapointed with this book.

Illuminating and humble , facts not speculations

i love it ! nice modern approach to evolution .
P.S. my son had " lanugo " when he was born ; )

Should Be Mandatory Reading!

As a former scientist and philosophy student, I gravitate towards books like Dr. Coyne's. He is truly a talented writer! He excels at making a discussion of evolution accessible, without sounding as if he is writing for young children. He is both succinct and descriptive in each of his examples within topics, the end result is that this extremely complex subject is nicely summarized in a relatively short book. I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in learning more about evolution... or even for those of us who marvel in the beauty of the natural world and never get tired of hearing all about it.