Endless Forms Most Beautiful

The New Science of Evo Devo and the Making of the Animal Kingdom

By: Sean B. Carroll

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

For over a century, opening the black box of embryonic development was the holy grail of biology. Evo Devo--Evolutionary Developmental Biology--is the new science that has finally cracked open the box. Within the pages of his rich and riveting book, Sean B. Carroll explains how we are discovering that complex life is ironically much simpler than anyone ever expected. Perhaps the most surprising finding of Evo Devo is the discovery that a small number of primitive genes led to the formation of fundamental organs and appendages "in all animal forms."

The gene that causes humans to form arms and legs is the same gene that causes birds and insects to form wings, and fish to form fins; similarly, one ancient gene has led to the creation of eyes across the animal kingdom. Changes in the way this ancient tool kit of genes is used have created all the diversity that surrounds us.

Sean Carroll is the ideal author to lead the curious on this intellectual adventure--he is the acknowledged leader of the field, and his seminal discoveries have been featured in Time and The New York Times".

©2009 Sean B Carroll (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

fascinating history

It was very easy to understand and follow for scientific informative literature. The author explains in layman terms so as any audience would be able to grasp the ideas put forth. I enjoyed it very much. The only issue would be it is not as updated with the most current information as a more recently published book may be.

Educational, dense, but worthwhile

Any additional comments?

4.5 stars. Excellent book on evolutionary development. The author distills much of the findings of the last two decades in this area of study, and guides the reader through what the discoveries mean and how they further bolster the theory of evolution. For readers interested in biology and evolution, Dr. Carroll is an excellent teacher and guide, offering a brief primer on genetics, explaining how mutants and malfunctions act as a window into gene function, covering how small changes over time via gene activation and adaptation inexorably led to current lifeforms, and ending with an impassioned and all-too-timely argument in favor of scientific literacy. Highly recommended.

Textbookish

I think there is a good story to be told about the discoveries of evo-devo, but this book fails to excite. There is too much detail for an audio book. The flat narration didn't help.

Good but Deep

Lots of great information and a fun adventure in science. This was one of those books that was sometimes difficult to follow in an audio format. It came together but lots to follow and digest.

Accessible and compelling

It made evo-devo understandable and well illustrated with examples. I cannot recommend highly enough. The author knows his material, as a conversational tone, and takes you on a tour of important concepts. If I had learned this story in school, I would have pursued this field.

Great book, great insights, learned a lot

This is a great book, with a very important topic. I rated Sean Carroll's other book, Making of the Fittest, a 5 and this a 4, only because it isn't quite as well organized. I wish 4.5 was an option. This is well worth the time, and critical if you want to understand evolution.

Carroll deserves Better Narration

Carroll's other books on Audible ("Remarkable Creatures" and "The Making of the Fittest") were well produced audio books. This one is not. Although not quite monotonous, the reader lacks adequate inflection to bring this text alive. Consequently, it loses the zest that the text should otherwise evoke. If you like Carroll's other works, then give this a go, but only if you can withstand a lackluster production.

Better in Print

I love audio books, but this one should be read in print. The narrator is fine. It is just too hard to visualize while doing anything else. And if you're not doing anything else, why not read a book? There may be important diagrams, I don't know. Tantor audio books refer you to their web site for visuals. Not this one.

As for the science and thought, could not be better. Great work by a fine scientist about a critically important branch of biology.

changed my view on life.

amazing. a must read for all ages. specially growing minds. please pay special atention to the last chapter and what we must have in mind as a challenge for future minds.

Good science, needs pictures

As a professional biologist, I enjoyed the book very much. But, and this is a big but, if you don't know any developmental biology I'm afraid you'll get lost. I checked the hard copy out of the library so I could see the pictures. My advice is to borrow the book and look while you listen.