Covering everything from fossilised dinosaurs to intelligent apes, this is an accessible guide to one of the most important scientific theories of all time. Burt Guttman assumes no prior scientific knowledge on the part of the reader, and explains each of the key ideas and concepts, including natural selection, genetics and the evolution of animal behaviour, in a lively and informative way. The book also tackles some of the controversy surrounding evolution and creationism, giving a brief history of religious opposition to Darwin's theory, and posing the question of whether evolution leaves any room for an intelligent creator.

Finally, Guttman looks ahead to the future of evolutionary theory, and assesses its possible implications for the way we understand morality, human nature and our place in the world. Clear, authoritative and entertaining, this book provides the perfect starting point for understanding what evolution is and why it matters.

Burt Guttman is Professor of Biology at The Evergreen State College, Washington. His previous works include Genetics: A Beginner's Guide, also published by Oneworld.