Donald R. Prothero is a paleontology and geology researcher, teacher, and author. He is adjunct professor of geological sciences at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and research associate in vertebrate paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. His Columbia University Press books include The Story of Life in 25 Fossils: Tales of Intrepid Fossil Hunters and the Wonders of Evolution (2015), The Story of the Earth in 25 Rocks: Tales of Important Geological Puzzles and the People Who Solved Them (2018), and The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries: Amazing Fossils and the People Who Found Them (2019).
This compelling presentation of the undeniable evidence for evolution offers stunning and engaging reading for the enormous explanatory power of Darwin's great idea. Written by Donald R. Prothero, a leading paleontologist of our times, this book promises to enlighten even the staunchest skeptics of the theory of evolution. -- Don Johanson, discoverer of Lucy and founder of the Institute of Human Origins A hallmark of a truly great scientific insight is its ability to make sense of wildly different kinds of evidence, even kinds undreamed of when the insight first originated. Evolution is such an insight, and Prothero's survey of the field, in 25 short and lively chapters, illustrates the many lines of evidence for evolution from Darwin's day to our own, debunking misconceptions galore along the way. The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries is a fine introduction for any reader who wants to appreciate the evidence behind the science. -- Ann Reid, executive director, National Center for Science Education This is an informative and engaging work about the discovery process, mainly centered around evolution. Readers will be well informed about why biologists think evolution is not only real but also important for discovering who we are. Prothero provides a useful service in clearing up many misconceptions about evolution. -- Norman Johnson, author of <i>Darwinian Detectives: Revealing the Natural History of Genes and Genomes</i> Donald Prothero has emerged as our foremost defender of evolutionary theory against creationists and intelligent design theorists and our most articulate expositor of the theory to the general public since Stephen Jay Gould, his mentor. The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries is the best single volume I have read that captures the reality and grandeur of this grand theory of who we are, where we came from, and how we know all this about our species. A tour de force of science and reason. -- Michael Shermer, publisher, <i>Skeptic</i> magazine An outstanding update on evolution. * Kirkus [Starred Review] * Accessible overview of the history of the idea of evolution. Prothero is skilled at translating specialist material into entertaining stories. * Publishers Weekly * With 'The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries,' Donald Prothero provides a masterful, lively primer on the abundant evidence for evolution, including the latest fossil findings at digging sites and laboratories around the world-all furthering to close this case, once and for all. * Foreword Reviews * Don't Miss 'The Story of Evolution in 25 Discoveries.' [It] is palaeontologist and geologist Donald Prothero's entertaining guide to the past, present and future of living things - with nature's more bizarre aspects to the fore. * New Scientist * This book accomplishes a nearly impossible double-task: it conveys enough information to serve as an introductory undergraduate text in evolution while also fascinating the general reader. In the light of Mr. Prothero's fine book, the reading public is better equipped than ever before to make sense of evolution itself. * The Wall Street Journal * An engaging style that is accessible to anyone. * Choice *