Hi, All: About two months ago I solicited recommendations on textbooks in evolutionary biology that might fit a niche somewhere intermediate to the breadth and detail of Futuyma's 'Evolution, 2nd edn.' and considerably more elementary texts like Kardong's "An Introduction to Biological Evolution". My apologies for the delay in posting the promised summary - the response was a bit greater than I'd anticipated (a good problem to have) and, quite frankly, teaching duties overwhelmed me until the semester came to a merciful end. Great thanks to all those who took the time to provide feedback, all quite useful. I have organized the responses below save for one which will not be posted as per the respondent's request. Freeman and Herron's "Evolutionary Analysis" was the overwhelming favorite with ~30 favorable nods. Of the other texts given more than one positive review - Sterns&Hoekstra's "Evolution: An Introduction", Ridley's "Evolution, 3rd edn", and Zimmer's "The Tangled Bank" - Stearns & Hoekstra received the most at 6 or 7. I think reading the invidual comments is worthwhile - many (although certainly not all) provide more specific details as to why they like a particular text. I also received a pdf of a review of the Zimmer book. I do not know if the EvolDir can handle attachments but I will try to send it as an attachment in a separate message. I have organized all of the rather lengthy set of responses below with the following organization [Note: the book title in the first 1 or 2 posts favoring that text is bolded]: My original post; A few that are more general and mention several possibilities without arguing in favor of any of them (including a link to a site that lists more possibilities than are mentioned here); Comments in favor of Freeman & Herron; Comments in favor of Stearns & Hoekstra; Comments in favor of Zimmer; Comments in favor of Ridley; Comments on miscellaneous other texts. I have been using Futuyma to teach my Evolutionary Biology course thus far. Personally, I like the breadth of topics in Futuyma but I have found that it is a little too advanced for my students and I skip 1/3 or more of the sections for that reason. All of the other books I've looked at - example: Kardong's "Introduction to Biological Evolution" is too basic for what I would like to do. Ideally, I'd like to find something intermediate between Futuyma and one of these ultra-basic texts - with a somewhat smaller price tag as well. The available choices are summarized here: http://www.evolverzone.com/?tag=books-textbooks Plus, you might consider Carl Zimmer's The Tangled Bank, which is not as basic as Kardong's book. I've taught evolution at the undergrad and grad levels now for 17 years and have tried multiple textbooks. I agree that Kardong and several others (including the nicely produced new textbook by Carl Zimmer) are too basic for a majors course at a 4-year undergrad college. I think the best ones are Futuyma, Ridley, Strickberger, Freeman & Herron, and the interesting new textbook from Cold Spring Harbor by Barton et al. ***** I have taught using Futuyma, Ridley and Freeman & Herron. I have not yet tried using Strickberger nor Barton et al. The one that worked best with my particular course was Futuyma. This is because I like to use the textbook as a "reference" for the course. I want the students to know that the textbook does not run the course--I do. The textbook is ONE of the resources in the course. A good reference text will provide more depth and different examples than what I provide in class. Furthermore, such a textbook should provide citations to the actual literature, so that students can use the textbook as a springboard for developing their own library research projects. In this respect, Futuyma's text is the best. ***** I agree that Futuyma's textbook is dense, but it is very well-organized, well-written, focuses on the main mechanisms, and provides references. It would be great if publishers also provided cool things like simulators (e.g. for testing students' hypotheses about population genetics), good problem sets, etc. I think most publishers focus too much on making the textbook the center of the course. But it's only one tool in the arsenal. (That said, I might try Barton et al. next year, just for variety...) ***** I am in the same boat. Using Futuyma and skipping a little less than 1/3. Several people have suggested Freeman's Evolutionary Analysis. I have been tempted by the Hoekstra and Stearns book, because of its emphasis on theory. I would like to hear what you find out. ***** Scott Freeman's book is pretty standard these days, I think you'd find it meets your criteria. I was a graduate evolutionary biology student and I found it useful and informative, and not too basic. http://www.amazon.com/Evolutionary-Analysis-Third-Scott-Freeman/dp/0131018590 ***** For our 300- (junior-) level course we use Evolutionary Analysis by Freeman & Herron & like it. It presents evolutionary biology as a work in progress including fair treatment of leading hypotheses. It cites the literature well as far as I can tell - & has an attractive layout (nice visuals & reasonable chapter lengths). The end-of-chapter Qs are good for class discussion. Students seems to like it. ***** I use Freeman and Herron's Evolutionary Analysis. Although it is a little bit more basic than I would like, my students like it, particularly the emphasis on human health issues. In addition, I require that my students take the on-line quizzes before I start lecturing on a chapter - so, I find the web resources useful. ***** We use Evolutionary Analysis, by Freeman and Herron in our 3rd-yr class. It is very readable and is not as encyclopaedic as Futuyma. Students say they like it. ***** I think Evolutionary Analysis by Freeman and Herron would be a good alternative. http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_freeman_evol_4/ ***** I'm a big fan of Freemon and Herron's Evolutionary Analysis textbook as well as Futuyma's text. I have read most of the 2nd and 3rd editions of both textbooks, but not the current version of either. I used to use Futuyma whenever I wanted to start learning about an area of evolutionary research that was relatively new to me (followed by reading the most current TREE and AREES reviews). Futuyma left me with a very solid understanding that helped me through anything that came up in the two reviews. If another graduate student asked about the same topic, I would usually suggest Evolutionary Analysis if they were short on time and Futuyma if they wanted the most thorough introduction. Evolutionary Analysis is less dense and I think less quantitative but still covers the topics well. I really liked a box in EA that explained likelihood ratios used in QTL mapping in a single page. I have given that page to labmates and received positive feedback from graduate students and undergraduates alike. The other text I have occasionally used is Ridley's Evolution but I have read too little to describe it well. ***** I have been very happy using Freeman & Herron's "Evolutionary Analysis" in my second year Evolutionary Genetics course. Its nicely integrated by using many examples of human disease evolution that are revisited periodically as new ideas are introduced, and tends to emphasize the discovery process in science. I leave out the lengthy derivations of population genetic formulae, but they are sequestered within boxes anyway. ***** Ive found Freeman and Herrons Evolutionary Analysis quite useful. I use it for the first year module and use Futuymas and others for latter years. ***** try Evolutionary Analysis Freeman & Herron My students like it a lot ***** I think that "Evolutionary Analysis" By S. Freeman and J.C.Herron (Pearson 2004) is the book I would use for an Evolutionary Biology course. Unfortunately, I have to use only books in french, and to my knowledge there is no french translation available... The examples include many cases of human evolution, which are often easier to understand for students (they handle with questions that students may have allready thought about). ***** I suggest Evolutionary Analysis by Freeman and Herron, http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_freeman_evol_4/ It is a great text for teaching, with relevant examples. ***** I've been using Freeman/Herron's Evolutionary Analysis for several editions. I think it is a highly readable book. It works for all students not just the top of the class. The only weakness it has is that because it has been around for a while, I find the molecular evolution not a central as it would be it the first edition had been written today. However, that isn't a big problem. If it is a cheap price you are looking for, I am not sure this is it. ***** I use Freeman, S and J.C. Herron. 2007. Evolutionary Analysis, 4rd Ed., Pearson Prentice Hall. I am not sure about the price tag but I really like the depth and the numerous examples. It also starts with a terrific chapter on HIV evolution. Recently I have looked at Stearns and Hoekstra Evolution: an Introduction - Oxford. I was looking for a specific piece of information and this book was good well written and paperback (which might cut the price). ***** I have found Stephen Stearns and Rolf Hoekstra's textbook "Evolution" (Oxford Univ Press) to be the best introduction textbook to evolutionary biology. Other books you might want to look at are Nicholas Barton et al.'s "Evolution" (provides a clearer link between molecular/cell biology and evolution), Rose and Muller's "Evolution and Ecology of the Organism", or Freeman and Herron "Evolutionary analysis". But I have found Stearns and Hoekstra to be simple, accurate, and cheap. ***** I use Freeman & Herron's _Evolutionary Analysis_. I like it because it has quite a few more diagrams and pictures, and is easier to read, than either Futuyma or Scott Ridley's text. They spent a substantial effort to include literature extensions in the chapters and the instructor materials are about as good as they get. Also, every chapter has boxes that include more chellenging material, but it is easy to pick and choose which you'll cover and they are not necessary to understand the main portions of the chapter. ***** I use Freeman and Herron, and like it a lot. http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_freeman_evol_4/ ***** I am a real fan of Evolutionary Analysis (4th) by Scott Freeman and Jon Herron. It is published by Pearson. It really works to avoid the too much detail and background needed problem of Futuyma. I am really impressed by how up to date and relevant the examples in the book are. The study questions are also much more at the level of my senior level students. ***** I have been very happy with Freeman and Herron. ***** We use Evolutionary Analysis, 4th edition, by Freeman and Herron. It is a very readable text, has some depth, and some great examples of the application of evolution to a wide variety of issues. ***** In recent years we have used Freeman and Herron's "Evolutionary Analysis" text for our Evolutionary Biology course for Yale undergrads. The book focuses largely on empirical evidence for evolution, and that works well for our goals in the course. Also, the text reads fairly easily, and the photos and artwork are nice. There is a companion CD with the artwork, which helps in preparing lectures. ***** I use Freeman and herron Evolutionary Analysis for my class. I really like it because as the name suggests it does not present facts, but a way of scientific thinking that is applied to evolutionary biology: it presents experimental designs in great detail and is crystal-clear on most topics. The book covers a lot, but at a level that is appropriate for my undergraduate students (sophomores-seniors). It comes with study questions and an accompnying website with extra problems sets. ***** Hi. Our 400-level undergraduate evolution course here uses Freeman & Herron's "Evolutionary Analysis". I like the text because of its emphasis on hypothesis testing in evolutionary biology. It teaches science as a process rather than a collection of facts to memorize. I don't teach the course, so I don't know how it works in terms of the basic/advanced level, especially compared to Futuyma, which I also like. ***** Just writing in response to your evoldir post regarding evolutionary texts. Weve found that Freeman and Herrons Evolutionary Analysis has a nice breadth of coverage, while having enough depth to serve as a good text for an evolutionary biology course for biology majors. I also teach an evolution course for non-majors, and I too found Kardongs book unsatisfactory even for that! A much better book just came out: The Tangled Bank by Carl Zimmer. Its an excellent book filled with wonderful examples and illustrations. This book is a lot less expensive than any of the other books. Hope this helps! ***** You might check out Freeman and Herron - Evolutionary Analysis from Pearson/Benjamin Cummings. I use it for my upper-level undergrad Evolution class and supplement it with some extra population genetics. Its certainly not as difficult as Futuyma's book for most students, but still does a very good job on most topics. ***** As a grad student TA at Florida State, we always used Evolution Analysis (Freeman and Herron). It may not be perfect, but seemed good fit for an undergraduate course. Good examples. Good breathe. Not too much math (unfortunately, we all know how cross-eyed undergrads can get at math these days), but enough on it that you could use it as starting point and expand on it in class if need be. My 2 cents. ***** You might consider Evolutionary Analysis by Freeman and Herron. ***** Which Futuyma are you using? _Evolutionary Biology_ is more advanced, and _Evolution_ (same author) is more basic. We're using the latter for a survey evolution course with no biology prerequisites, and it seems to be working well. (I'm TA-ing this course.) The only caveat I'd mention is that it doesn't deal with natural selection until halfway through, when it is introduced in a (basic) genetic context. That's a reasonable approach, but I personally prefer to introduce natural selection at the beginning of the course, because it's the principal mechanism of evolution in the minds of most students. A previous incarnation of the course used Freeman & Herron, which was excellent in providing up-to-date examples from the literature, but tended to simplify concepts more than I preferred. I particularly liked how Freeman & Herron dissected natural selection into four testable parts, and I used that excerpt to teach natural selection to my students this year. ***** We're using Freeman and Heron, but were hoping for a cheaper option. The new Barton text looks pretty good too - in some ways I like it much better. I had a student test drive it last term, and she seemed to like both books about the same, maybe with a lean towards Barton. ***** I like Stearns' and Hoekstra's "Evolution: An Introduction" from Oxford University Press (http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199255634.do). I think it is an excellent introductory textbook. ***** I mainly use the Stearns Hoekstra Evolution book of Oxford Univ Press for my Evolution course. I think that is provides a good mix of breadth and depth for an introductory course. ***** further to your request on evoldir, I personally really like the textbook "Evolution" by Steve Stearns and Rolf Hoekstra a lot as in introduction into the topic. I only have the 1st edition, but can't imagine that the 2nd edition that's out is any worse... Can't remember about the price though, you'll need to check on that. ***** we usually use the Futuyma as well - however, to get the basic concepts across to the students without too many details I can really recommend Stearns and Hoekstra "Evolution" (Oxford University Press). It is quite an easy read and not too basic. It should be a bit cheaper than Futuymas book too. ***** I use the Stearns and Hoekstra Evolution textbook from Oxford University Press in my evolution module (2nd/3d year students). The students do find some sections more challenging than others (you will always have that I suppose), but overall they really find it "easy" to follow/read. ***** I use the Stearns and Hoekstra Evolution textbook from Oxford University Press in my evolution module (2nd/3d year students). The students do find some sections more challenging than others (you will always have that I suppose), but overall they really find it "easy" to follow/read. ***** I am very fond of Stearns & Hoekstra textbook on Evolution. Also M. Ridley has a great one (a bit more detailed than Stearns & Hoekstra). Just a thought... But as I don't have Futuyma and Kardong with me at hand, it is difficult to compare... Good luck with the choice. And please post the answers. ***** We are using Stearns and Hoekstra: Evolution, an introduction, for our first year students, and we are generally very content with it. ***** you might want to try Stearns & Hoekstra, Evolution - an introduction. Oxford Press ***** Zimmer's new evolution text got a good review in CBE Life Sciences Education; looks worth checking out: http://www.lifescied.org/cgi/content/full/9/1/22 ***** Zimmer, Carl The Tangled Bank: An Introduction to Evolution ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tangled_Bank:_An_Introduction_to_Evolution )(2009) ISBN 0981519474 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0981519474 ) Outstanding, solid science, readable. ***** Carl Zimmer's 'The Tangled Bank' would presumably do very well for an introductory course, even if it was not meant as a textbook for students but to enlighten the general public. ***** I haven't viewed it yet but science writer Carl Zimmer just released an intro level Evolution textbook called the Tangled Bank. Carl is an excellent writer so there is no doubt that the book is written well, covers a good breadth of topics and is accessible to a nonexpert audience. It has received many good reviews. You might ask for a review copy from the publisher and check it out. http://www.amazon.com/Tangled-Bank-Introduction-Evolution/dp/0981519474 ***** The available choices are summarized here: http://www.evolverzone.com/?tag=books-textbooks Plus, you might consider Carl Zimmer's The Tangled Bank, which is not as basic as Kardong's book. ***** I'm going to send you a copy of The Tangled Bank: An Introduction to Evolution by Carl Zimmer. While the book was initially designed for non-majors, it has been widely adopted in majors-level classes. Many instructors have told me they feel their students will get more out of the narrative writing style and modern coverage. (They are filling in the gaps with hand-outs.) One instructor said to me that he would rather his students learn 80% of whats in Zimmer rather than 40% of whats in their current book. Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback you can offer (after youve had a chance to look it over). I'm eager for feedback as the book has just published. Also, if you're interested, I attach a recent review from Life Sciences Education. ***** have you checked Mark Ridley's book 'Evolution' and 'Evolutionary Analysis', by Scott Freeman and Jon Herron? ***** I recieved my Ph.D. at Notre Dame with Jeff Feder and he always used Mark Ridley's book for those reasons you stated. I am not currently teaching an Evolution class, so I don't have a personal recommendation. ***** I am a final year graduate student. I would suggest the book "Evolution by Mark Ridley". I have read it when I was in my first year of PhD and I think it is very well written and easily understandable. Here is the link to the book site http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ridley ( http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ridley/ ) ***** I use Ridley 3rd ed Evolution. Not perfect but I don't use Futuyma for the same reasons you mention- it is a great book- the best out there but just a bit too much for undergrads. ***** we use Mark Ridley's Evolution 3rd edition which works very well for most of our students. At http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ridley/tutorials/ You can check some sample chapters, the book ilustrations and web tutorials. ***** This concentrates on hominids and apes, but I like it a lot. An Introduction to Human Evolutionary Anatomy(2002). By Leslie Aiello and Christopher Dean. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introduction-Human-Evolutionary-Anatomy/dp/0120455919/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268297776&sr=8-1 ***** You should try "Evotionary Genetics" by John Maynard Smith published by Cambridge University Press ***** I think "Evolution and Ecology of the Organism" by M R Rose & L D Mueller would probably be at the right level. Freeman & Herron is also nice, but again is a bit high. ***** Do you know the Evolution textbook by Nick Barton et al.? See: http://evolution-textbook.org/ ***** Despite its daunting title (Evolutionary Bioinformatics), my textbook is probably just what you need. You can get further information from the webpage at: http://post.queensu.ca/~forsdyke/book03.htm ***** Other books you might want to look at are Nicholas Barton et al.'s "Evolution" (provides a clearer link between molecular/cell biology and evolution), Rose and Muller's "Evolution and Ecology of the Organism", or Freeman and Herron "Evolutionary analysis". But I have found Stearns and Hoekstra to be simple, accurate, and cheap. ***** Again, my apologies for the delay. Paul Mack, Ph.D Assistant Professor of Biology Department of Sciences and Mathematics Mississippi University for Women 1100 College Street, MUW-100 Columbus, MS 39701 662-329-4987 PMack@as.muw.edu