Publisher's Synopsis
Where Did We Come From? The Origin and Evolution of Life is a welcoming introduction to the understanding of the origin and evolution of life. The authors capture the attention of all readers, be they well versed in theories of the origin of life and the Theory of Evolution or those that possess little knowledge of these interesting subjects. The authors discuss the origin of life from religious narratives to scientific-based accounts, leading to the conclusion that we still do not know how life began, but strive to do so. The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection, presented simultaneously by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace, is one of the greatest ideas of all time. However, new discoveries in molecular genetics, microbiology, and systems biology have necessitated an extension/revision of the classical frame of evolutionary theory. These new discoveries include epigenetics, alteration of the environment, learning and cultural transmission, and the role of microorganisms in the evolution of animals and plants: the hologenome concept. Where Did We Come From? The Origin and Evolution of Life also provides a glimpse of how theories of evolution can affect our understanding of social phenomena, such as motherhood and social standing, biological cooperation versus Social Darwinism, and collective memory. Through an accessible authorial voice and clarity, not burdened with superfluous jargon, the authors engage with readers and lead them to become well-informed on these captivating subjects.
