We learn about evolution in school and it comes up frequently in daily life. An article here and there or a conversation with a friend might include a passing reference to the theory of evolution and what it means for a certain topic.
How often do you truly dig into the idea of evolution, though? Understanding how humanity (and all life, for that matter) came to be can help inform you about your own behavior and the behavior of those around you.
Further, a good grasp of evolution can give you a vast appreciation of the natural world and its wonders.
If you’re looking to boost your understanding of evolution, you’re in the right place. We’ve compiled 7 of the best books about evolution that you can start reading and use to fill in the gaps in your understanding.
Let’s take a look.
7. Ape Mind, Old Mind, New Mind: Emotional Fossils and the Evolution of the Human Spirit
One of the flaws of basic evolution textbooks is that they paint a simplistic picture of human nature. One aspect of that picture is that people evolve with themselves in mind, ultimately leaning on self-preservation rather than collaboration.
Ape Mind, Old Mind, New Mind is written by a psychiatrist who examines human behavior from the perspective of collaboration rather than selfishness. He uses his experiences to argue that we are actually an altruistic species at heart, following that line of reasoning into questions about the origins of consciousness, reason, and more.
- Written by a psychiatrist who examines human behavior from the perspective of collaboration rather than selfishness
- Provides an arguably more balanced picture of human nature
- Examines consciousness, reason, and other abstract capabilities of the human mind
6. Explaining Life Through Evolution
Author Prosanta Chakrabarty situates humanity within the vast perspective of life on earth in this book. Detailing the 4 billion-year period that life has used to develop on earth, Explaining Life Through Evolution gives the reader a clear idea of evolution, humanity, and how the two intersect.
Someone looking for a comprehensive view of human evolution will certainly benefit from this book. Rather than rote facts and details, Chakrabarty uses an interesting narrative to weave the scientific information included in any understanding of evolution.
- Situates humanity within the vast perspective of life on earth in this book
- Provides a comprehensive view of human evolution
- Details the evolution of life over four billion years
5. Grandmother Fish: A Child’s First Book of Evolution
If you’re the parent of a new reader, Grandmother Fish is a perfect book to explain the basics of evolution.
The story informs children about the tree of life, how it operates, and where it comes from. This is a complex idea for children to imagine, especially considering the fact that you can hardly ever see evolution in front of your eyes.
So, an illustrated book that introduces the key points of evolution can be a great way to lay the foundation for your child.
- 40 pages
- Customers recommend this book for children ages 2 through 5
- Great treatment of evolution for young readers
- Full of illustrations
- Helpful science notes for parents (to help answer those inconvenient questions)
4. Evolution – Making Sense of Life
This is the lone textbook on our list, but only because it’s an excellent introduction to evolution for those who aren’t familiar with it.
Expert writers, researchers, and scientists combine to weave storytelling and cold-hard facts about evolution in this textbook. Learn the fundamental principles all the way down to the nitty-gritty details of evolution. The book also utilizes case studies and relevant examples of evolution happening in our daily lives.
Learn everything you need to know with Evolution – Making Sense of Life.
- Great intro to evolution
- Mix of story-telling and hard facts
- Uses great case studies to illustrate the subject
3. Amazing Evolution: The Journey of Life
Amazing Evolution: The Journey of Life is a perfect hybrid of comprehensive information about evolution and unique, enthralling details.
What better way to understand evolution than through the lens of curious cases, interesting relationships, long-needed explanations, and more? For example, what’s the connection between a cabbage and a capybara? Read the book and find out!
- Enough of a mix of advanced and basic information that both adults and kids will enjoy
- Unique, enthralling explanations of under-explained subjects
- Great teaching tool for children on the subject of evolution
2. A Pocket History of Human Evolution: How We Became Sapiens
For the human-centric reader, this book is the perfect fit. Learn precisely what scientists know about human evolution, from our shrub-dwelling ancestors of the Eocene to technological marvels of the 21st century.
A Pocket History of Human Evolution, as the name suggests, is also very succinct. That doesn’t mean it avoids the salient questions and details about human evolution, though. For example, do you know how crossbreeding between hominids influenced the creation of the human species? This book will tell you.
- 160 pages.
- Learn precisely what scientists know about human evolution.
- Succinct treatment of the topic of evolution.
- Great starting point for readers wanting to learn more about evolution.
1. Why Evolution is True
Our top pick is Why Evolution is True. The book covers the important arguments and debates that have held the study of evolution back in popular culture, detailing the specific things that disprove claims of its falseness.
Studying evolution through this lens allows you to get a deeper understanding of the process while equipping yourself with the knowledge needed to defend your trust in evolution should you ever need to. There are few things more frustrating than knowing something but failing to have the vocabulary to explain it.
This book will give you the points and details you need to better understand and explain evolution.
Further, if you’re on the fence about evolution or don’t understand it fully, this book will give you access to the vast bank of marvelous proof of its existence. It’s a win-win for any reader.
- Covers the important arguments and debates that have been had regarding evolution
- This book will give you the points and details you need to better understand and explain the topic
- Provides various arguments proving the scientific validity of evolution
How to Choose The Right Evolution Book
There are a lot of options above, and you might not know just where to start. Here’s a little rubric for you to use if you’re not set on a book yet.
True Beginners: Amazing Evolution: The Journey of Life, Grandmother Fish, Evolution – Making Sense of Life.
- These books are geared toward those without advanced knowledge of evolution. Still, they cover all of the bases and use interesting examples, images, and stories to make the information entertaining.
Casual Learners: Why Evolution is True, A Pocket History of Human Evolution, Explaining Life Through Evolution
- These are thorough books that cover evolution in detail. They’re not overly difficult, though, so they’re accessible to someone who isn’t used to reading scientific material, for example.
Academic Reading: Ape Mind, Old Mind, New Mind
- This is the sole book on the list that is written for academics or individuals used to reading academic writing. Ideas of psychology, psychiatry, evolution, and more are interwoven.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is The Most Famous Book on Evolution?
The most famous book about evolution is Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species. The book is the flagship text in the study and understanding of evolution through natural selection.
We didn’t include The Origin of Species in our list because it’s a difficult read, geared toward scientists of the late 19th century.
2. What is The Study of Evolution Called?
The study of evolution is called “evolutionary biology.” This discipline studies the taxonomies of species, factors that contribute to evolution, and the process of evolution over time including the present.
3. Is Evolution Just a Theory?
Technically, evolution is a scientific “theory,” but that doesn’t have the same meaning as it would if you had a “theory” about something. A scientific theory can both be fact and theory, even though it isn’t deemed a “law.”
Scientific laws must be reproducible and operate in the same manner in every instance. The Law of Gravity, for example, is easily demonstrable. Evolution is not as immediate or easy to reproduce, so it has yet to be “proven” in the sense that you could prove one of Newton’s Laws of Motion.
Still, the Theory of Evolution has been studied and used innumerable times without fail to describe and predict the processes and changes of life.
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The 7 Best Books about Evolution to Boost Your Understanding FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is The Most Famous Book on Evolution?
The most famous book about evolution is Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species. The book is the flagship text in the study and understanding of evolution through natural selection.
We didn’t include The Origin of Species in our list because it’s a difficult read, geared toward scientists of the late 19th century.
What is The Study of Evolution Called?
The study of evolution is called “evolutionary biology.” This discipline studies the taxonomies of species, factors that contribute to evolution, and the process of evolution over time including the present.
Is Evolution Just a Theory?
Technically, evolution is a scientific theory, but that doesn’t have the same meaning as it would if you had a “theory” about something. A scientific theory can both be fact and theory, even though it isn’t deemed a “law.”
Laws must be reproducible and operate in the same manner in every instance. The Law of Gravity, for example, is easily demonstrable. Evolution is not as immediate or easy to reproduce, so it has yet to be “proven” in the sense that you could prove one of Newton’s Laws of Motion.
Still, the theory of evolution has been studied and used innumerable times without fail to describe and predict the processes and changes of life.
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