Your Inner Fish: The amazing discovery of our 375-million-year-old ancestor

"This is a gem of a book. Ok, so there isn't much that is ground-breaking here but the angles from which Shubin looks at the human body are. The build up is slow but extremely enjoyable and all lead to one conclusion; every single aspect of our bodies is constrained by our ancestor's "choice" of body. We are not as efficient as we could be (if we were able to build our bodies from scratch) simply because evolution cannot go backwards to de-construct some of the earlier improvements. Shubin presents very apt metaphors along the way likening our nervous system to the electric wiring of an old building that went through various phases of improvement. The wires don't take the shortest routes simply because they have to go around older wires standing in the way. Likewise with our nervous system. When you finish this book you will be looking at your body in awe, and with brand new eyes."
~ Written on 2010-01-30

"One of the most famous examples of the mechanics of evolution are the finches of the Galapagos islands. As a 14 year old, it's easy enough to get your head around the idea of a gradual change in beak shape as successive generations of these bird become more dependant on one particular food source. But to take this notion, and attempt to translate it to the idea of an amoeba becoming, over successive generations, a human being is virtually impossible.

Shubin's straightforward, but carful use of language, in this book allows a reader with little more than a curiosity about evolution to understand the complex ideas being put forward. And he does it with such flair and enthusiasm.

After you read this book, you'll never look the same way at a fish again."
~ Written on 2009-08-30

"... to a fascinating topic, but it doesn't generate the sheer wonder of Richard Dawkins' masterpiece "The Ancestors' Tale"."
~ Written on 2009-07-14

"Shubin has a knack for a simple explanation of a complicated subject. The story is about the quest to find a 375 million year fossil that would bridge the gap between sea creatures and the emergence of the first land based creatures. Along the way we get familiar with the notion that for all the diversity of life, the similarities between diverse species are striking. One feels more insightful towards the theories of evolution and selection. Above all, Shubin has a passion for the predictability of nature and infects that passion in the reader. I learned a little about genetics and a little about embryology.
The subtext is almost as fascinating, the idea of serendipity or happy accidents to arrive at a positive outcome, and the benefits of multidisciplinaryism as a pathway to discovery."
~ Written on 2009-05-13

"Mr Shubin has holistically wound together the many strands of palentolgy, genetics, and anatomy, to bring us a unified picture of evolution beautifully illustrated by the countless images used throughout the book.

I can't give this book justice with this review, but suffice to say that most chapters contain a WOW moment where cobwebs in your brain are brushed away.

Excellent material for fighting the good fight (ie, against creationalism)."
~ Written on 2009-04-27