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What Darwin Didn’t Know: The Modern Science of Evolution
- Narrated by: Scott Solomon
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Charles Darwin's remarkable On the Origin of Species was a groundbreaking work that fundamentally altered how scientists approached the study of life itself. However, since its publication in 1859, the modern science of biology and genetics has added surprising new dimensions to evolutionary theory.
In this course, you’ll discover what Darwin didn’t know, covering much of the curriculum of an introductory college course in evolutionary biology. No background in science is needed to follow these engaging lectures, delivered by Professor Scott Solomon of Rice University, a gifted teacher and widely traveled field biologist.
Dr. Solomon reveals how the many gaps and mysteries in the evolutionary theory of Darwin’s day were systematically solved by brilliant researchers, such as Gregor Mendel, Thomas Hunt Morgan, Theodosius Dobzhansky, Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick, Motoo Kimura, and a host of others, who have brought the world into a golden age of biological research.
Your lessons begin by laying the foundation of Darwin’s theory. Then, you’ll move forward in time, and hear how advances in genetics, molecular biology, paleontology, and even geology have given Darwin’s ideas more depth, and in some cases, turned them on their heads. You’ll uncover how DNA reconstruction has allowed us to gain a clearer picture of evolutionary history and explore the vital role of heredity in the millions of species known today - including species Darwin himself never even dreamed would exist. Throughout these lectures, you’ll apply modern evolutionary theory to better understand the breeding of plants, animals, and genetically modified organisms. Finally, you’ll hear how the cutting-edge science of gene editing is being used to influence evolution, and you’ll peer into the future to gauge the prospects for further evolution of our own species.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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What listeners say about What Darwin Didn’t Know: The Modern Science of Evolution
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Ed Patrick
- 03-25-19
So much has been added to the knowledge of evolution.
When I studied biology and evolution in college and high school I guess I ended up with the idea that pretty much everything was known about the subject. These lectures showed me the amazing amount of knowledge that has been added in the past 50 years.
5 people found this helpful
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- JRM
- 03-15-19
Excellent and clear
Extremely lucid and well organized presentation. Only very rarely (when discussing letter patterns of DNA code) did the narrative become a little too technical for audio format only. Otherwise, one of the best in the Great Courses series I've heard.
5 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-22-19
Amazing journey.
As a physician I've always been interested in how evolution of past events might affect present problems in patients. This is been an amazing journey and I really appreciated and learned a lot from this book. I actually visited the Burgis Schale site. In Canada and it was the best part of the whole trip.
10 people found this helpful
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- Rebecca McCann
- 07-27-19
Pretty good
I like reading about evolution. This book served as a good overview of advances since Darwin's day and of general theory.
I will say however, that compared to other literature on the subject, it was not especially compelling or well written. Still enjoyable all the same. I recommend "the moral animal" as a personal favorite for those interested in the subject.
2 people found this helpful
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- Bellenova
- 12-04-19
Like having a term paper read to you for 12 hours
I appreciate the author's depth of knowledge but the presentation of the material is rather tedious.
If you don't mind the same repetitive statement-as-a-question and rise-and-fall vocal inflections over and over while the cluttered PDF is basically read to you for 12 hours then you might enjoy this, but I'm trying to finish it and am disappointed in the product so far.
Specifically, I think the way the information itself is organized could use some punching up and editing to create better flow. Some sentences and paragraphs are too choppy in structure while others are just blunt recitation of researched fact. The subjects of the sentences shift too frequently within paragraphs, which makes the delivery of the already fractured material even more scattered.
It's a nice looking PDF, but it needs a skilled editor and narrator to be a good audiobook.
1 person found this helpful
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- LX
- 05-19-19
Fantastic lectures on evolution
I absolutely loved this audiobook. The lectures are easy to follow and very interesting. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in biology. After all, "nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." - Dobzhansky
1 person found this helpful
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- Anna T
- 02-02-22
Well written, keeps you interested
Darwin is a true genius. But not only that, he is a true scientist capable of acknowledging that he got something wrong, always listening to opponents but firm in his arguments. His work organization is also enviable - especially when I look around myself and at how I spend my day.
Of course, he did not know many things that were not discovered yet at the time. But the insight is tremendous, unbelievable at times when he talks about heredity at the time when genes were not known.
So, the book talks a lot about genetics, and weaves science history into Darwin's biography. This is a great combination that keeps us interested at all time. Modern science is an extra layer on top of Darwin's life and scientific developments before him.
And it's just the way I like it: popular science in historic context with great personalities added into the mix.
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- Akalolo
- 11-04-21
A remarkably gifted teacher!
Scott Solomon not only grasps but is able to communicate to the reader/listener the big picture of how life on earth has evolved, including insights from recent discoveries.
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- L. Maranto
- 09-01-21
Fascinating!
Just before I read this, I read Darwin’s On the Origin of the Species. I was amazed that he made such convincing arguments without knowledge of genetics. Also, a much smaller number and variety of fossils were available to him.
When I discovered this course, it painted a wonderful story of discoveries that confirmed and expanded on his ideas. Of course, he didn’t get it all right, but he got the basics amazingly right.
I recommend this course highly.
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- Doc Town
- 08-13-21
A great Lecture!
A lot of good information, interesting if you know biology. I recommend this gtest lecture.
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- Anonymous User
- 05-07-20
Bloody well done as an audiobook
I studied evolution in university over a decade ago. I’ve since worked in a range of life science fields. So I was wondering whether this audiobook would be a bit fluffy with no substance for me, or totally over the top and scientifically verbose for an average person. It ended up being far better than I expected and I imagine it can be interesting and enjoyable to quite a large audience.
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- desleighjane
- 08-08-19
Very engaging!
This was very interesting information, well organized, and presented with enthusiasm. I enjoyed discovering how far this field has come since Darwin's lifetime, and indeed since my student days.