The Theory That Changed Everything

Strikes a balance between the historical context in which Darwin made his remarkable contributions to science and contemporary scientific work.--Christina Behme, Brandon University Suited for general readers and students interested in the sciences.--Choice Lieberman clearly explains complex issues such as epigenetic mechanisms...engage[s] readers interested in the evolution of humans.--Publishers Weekly Written with an infectious delight in the way that Darwin's thinking continues to guide scientific inquiry across disciplines.--Los Angeles Review of Books Big brains, language, and almost infinite cultural flexibility are quintessential human features. This lucidly written little gem from a leader in the study of human language evolution uses language as a case study to explain how a Darwinian approach is the only way to understand the evolution of human brains and behavior. Written in a very personal voice, it provides a fully accessible synthesis of research in fields as diverse as linguistics, functional genomics, psychology, neuroanatomy, and evolutionary theory. It makes excellent supplementary reading for a diverse range of courses, from evolutionary biology to anthropology and linguistics.--David Pilbeam, Harvard University An awesome accompanying book for anyone who reads On the Origin of Species.--Rob DeSalle, curator of entomology at the American Museum of Natural History Lieberman's The Theory That Changed Everything takes Darwin's theory out of academia's dusty lecture halls, returning it to where it began--with a young person curious about the world around them. Engagingly, Lieberman explains how Darwin developed his theories and why those theories matter today. The final chapter, 'What would Darwin Think About...' will energize high school and college biology classes for years to come.--John J. Shea, Stony Brook University An enjoyable and well-written book for those who appreciate Species and its impact on our lives today.--Library Journal