BOOK REVIEW

Title: Endless forms most beautiful: the new science of evo devo

Author: Sean B. Carroll

In ten words or less: Evolutionary biology explained for the masses.

Review: Evo devo--evolutionary developmental biology--explores how form and pattern emerge in empryos, and begins to explain how primitive forms of millions of years ago developed into today's diverse animal kingdom.
Although Carroll, who teaches genetics at the University of Wisconsin, has presented a great deal of technical information, even readers who have only a casual knowledge of genetics and evolution can appreciate this book. Typical chapter titles are: "From e.coli to elephants." "Monsters, mutants, and master genes," and "Making babies: 25,000 genes, some assembly required."
Readers of Stephen Jay Gould will find this a fascinating explanation of genetic evolution.

Why bother? Readers interested in nature and natural history will find much to delight and ponder.