55 pages 1 hour read

Jonathan Weiner

The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1994

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner is a Pulitzer Prize-winning non-fiction book that narrates the history and theory of evolutionary science through Peter and Rosemary Grant's study of Galápagos finches, beginning in 1973 on Daphne Major. The Grants' findings challenge and expand upon Darwin's theories, providing tangible evidence of rapid and continuous evolution, while the narrative also explores broader impacts of human activity on global evolution.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner is widely praised for its engaging and accessible exploration of evolution in action through the study of finches in the Galápagos Islands. Many reviewers commend Weiner's narrative skill and thorough research. However, some find the repetition of themes somewhat tedious. Overall, it is celebrated as both informative and compelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Beak of the Finch?

Readers who delight in evolutionary biology, nature writing, and scientific exploration will enjoy The Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner. Comparable to Tracy Kidder's The Soul of a New Machine and Richard Dawkins' The Selfish Gene, it captivates with its accessible yet profound discussion of Darwinian theory and real-world scientific research.

Recommended

Reading Age

16-18years

Book Details

Topics

Science / Nature

History: World

Animals