Unnatural Selection

Darwin's evolutionary laboratories were far flung islands and exotic shores. Emily Monosson uncovers rapid evolution much closer to home, in our farm fields, cities and even among the microbes in our own bodies. Through personal stories and scientific discovery, this readable, accessible account explores the evolution that Darwin never knew. --Stephen R. Palumbi Professor of Marine Science, Stanford University and author of The Evolution Explosion In a world where the denial of evolution or its importance is still common, this book should convert even the most entrenched skeptics. --Andrew Hendry Professor, Redpath Museum & Department of Biology, McGill University Prepare for the unexpected! Evolution has consequences and when we rapidly drive the process, through our profligate use of antibiotics and toxic chemicals, we should be prepared for unexpected outcomes. Monosson succinctly shows us how and why our inability to control diseases and pests and grow sufficient food to eat is an inevitable product of our anthropogenic toxification of the Earth. Eye opening and timely. --Daniel T. Blumstein Professor & Chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCLA In a world where the denial of evolution - or its importance - is still common, this book should convert even the most entrenched skeptics. --Andrew Hendry Professor, Redpath Museum & Department of Biology, McGill University Prepare for the unexpected! Evolution has consequences and when we rapidly drive the process, through our profligate use of antibiotics and toxic chemicals, we should be prepared for unexpected outcomes. Monosson succinctly shows us how and why our inability to control diseases and pests and grow sufficient food to eat is an inevitable product of our anthropogenic toxification of the Earth. Eye opening and timely. --Daniel T. Blumstein Professor & Chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCLA If you've ever wondered why you should care about evolution, Unnatural Selection is the book for you. And if you haven't wondered that, you need to read this to find out what you're missing. Environmental toxicologist Emily Monosson, with prose that is clear, succinct, and so interesting it's hard to put the book down, explains how people are speeding up an evolutionary arms race both within and around us. And that arms race is between us, disease, pests, and many other species on Earth. A thoroughly engaging read for anyone that cares about the role of humans on our planet. --Anthony Barnosky Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley and author of Heatstroke If you ve ever wondered why you should care about evolution, Unnatural Selection is the book for you. And if you haven t wondered that, you need to read this to find out what you re missing. Environmental toxicologist Emily Monosson, with prose that is clear, succinct, and so interesting it s hard to put the book down, explains how people are speeding up an evolutionary arms race both within and around us. And that arms race is between us, disease, pests, and many other species on Earth. A thoroughly engaging read for anyone that cares about the role of humans on our planet. --Anthony Barnosky Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley and author of Heatstroke