Freethought & Rationalism Archive

RufusAtticus · 01-31-2003, 07:06 PM

It's up. Enjoy the first part.

Secular Pinoy · 01-31-2003, 07:18 PM

I just saw the list. It's a good list, though incomplete, but since it's introductory, it's ok. I have to quibble though with the addition of Matt Ridley's Genome. Why? I didn't find it all that interesting and it really isn't that informative as a text for evolution. It's informative as far as it tackles certain human genes, and their probable evolutionary origin, but that's just it. I might be missing something on the reason for its inclusion, so please do explain.

RufusAtticus · 01-31-2003, 07:32 PM

Well you can't fully study evolution without knowing genetics.

Dr.GH · 01-31-2003, 07:46 PM

By not including "Get a Grip on Evolution" David Burnie 1999:Ivy Press, you missed a very good book for beginners.

Secular Pinoy · 01-31-2003, 07:52 PM

Well, I do understand that we need to learn genetics to have a deeper understanding of Evolution. The thing is, Genome by Matt Ridley isn't the right place (IMHO) to look for it. R Dawkins and GC Williams would be preferable. I'm not saying that Genome can't be recommended to be on the list. I would've preferred it to be in the "Furthur Reading" section of the E/C list, not in the "Introductory" part.

There's a new book out "The Journey of Man" by Spencer Wells that's based on the National Geographic documentary by the author. I haven't read the book but I've seen the show. It's a genetic detective story uncovering the history of humanity through their genes (which is comparable to Bryan Sykes's The Seven Daughters of Eve). If the book is as interesting as the documentary, then it would be a better book to include to the list. L. Luca Cavalli-Sforza's books (based on what people tell me) on human genes are also good.

pz · 01-31-2003, 07:57 PM

I anticipate that the list will grow. It would also be good if it does prompt further discussion of books that ought to be on it. I haven't read Burnie's book, but I'll look for it.

As for why Genome is on it...it's because I suggested it. Modern molecular genetics is an important topic to cover, but there aren't a lot of books out there that discuss it on a level that laymen can get into. If you want a better book, I'd recommend the Griffiths et al. textbook, Modern Genetic Analysis: Integrating Genes and Genomes; however, it's not exactly light reading, and it costs something like $90. For this list, we wanted books that anybody could read.

Even creationists.

Mika Lepp�m�ki · 02-01-2003, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Evolutionary Biology, 2nd edition by Douglas J. Futuyma

I think the third edition is the newest.

RufusAtticus · 02-01-2003, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mika Lepp�m�ki
I think the third edition is the newest.

Dang it I forgot to change that. . . .

Albion · 02-01-2003, 09:10 AM

Genome contains a discussion of Scigirl's chromosome fusion challenge. That shoould be good enough to keep it on the list.

KC · 02-02-2003, 09:05 AM

::grumbling about need for additional list of classics that are still useful today:::

KC

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01-31-2003, 07:06 PM	#11
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	It's up. Enjoy the first part.

01-31-2003, 07:18 PM	#12
Secular Pinoy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Posts: 1,994	I just saw the list. It's a good list, though incomplete, but since it's introductory, it's ok. I have to quibble though with the addition of Matt Ridley's Genome. Why? I didn't find it all that interesting and it really isn't that informative as a text for evolution. It's informative as far as it tackles certain human genes, and their probable evolutionary origin, but that's just it. I might be missing something on the reason for its inclusion, so please do explain.

01-31-2003, 07:32 PM	#13
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Well you can't fully study evolution without knowing genetics.

01-31-2003, 07:46 PM	#14
Dr.GH Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Dana Point, Ca, USA Posts: 2,115	By not including "Get a Grip on Evolution" David Burnie 1999:Ivy Press, you missed a very good book for beginners.

01-31-2003, 07:52 PM	#15
Secular Pinoy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Posts: 1,994	Well, I do understand that we need to learn genetics to have a deeper understanding of Evolution. The thing is, Genome by Matt Ridley isn't the right place (IMHO) to look for it. R Dawkins and GC Williams would be preferable. I'm not saying that Genome can't be recommended to be on the list. I would've preferred it to be in the "Furthur Reading" section of the E/C list, not in the "Introductory" part. There's a new book out "The Journey of Man" by Spencer Wells that's based on the National Geographic documentary by the author. I haven't read the book but I've seen the show. It's a genetic detective story uncovering the history of humanity through their genes (which is comparable to Bryan Sykes's The Seven Daughters of Eve). If the book is as interesting as the documentary, then it would be a better book to include to the list. L. Luca Cavalli-Sforza's books (based on what people tell me) on human genes are also good.

01-31-2003, 07:57 PM	#16
pz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Morris, MN Posts: 3,341	I anticipate that the list will grow. It would also be good if it does prompt further discussion of books that ought to be on it. I haven't read Burnie's book, but I'll look for it. As for why Genome is on it...it's because I suggested it. Modern molecular genetics is an important topic to cover, but there aren't a lot of books out there that discuss it on a level that laymen can get into. If you want a better book, I'd recommend the Griffiths et al. textbook, Modern Genetic Analysis: Integrating Genes and Genomes; however, it's not exactly light reading, and it costs something like $90. For this list, we wanted books that anybody could read. Even creationists.

02-01-2003, 09:10 AM	#19
Albion Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: US east coast. And www.theroyalforums.com Posts: 2,829	Genome contains a discussion of Scigirl's chromosome fusion challenge. That shoould be good enough to keep it on the list.

02-02-2003, 09:05 AM	#20
KC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Narcisco, RRR Posts: 527	::grumbling about need for additional list of classics that are still useful today::: KC

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