This is a brilliant sequel to the the "Paradoxical Life" exploring both how horizontal gene transfer enables the 'arrival of the fittest' but also how much the functioning of any component is fluid. This is a MUST READ book for anyone interested in a deeper probing of evolution. ( )

How new body types show up in the genetic diversity. ( )

Richard Dawkins has said that before Darwin, being an atheist was incomprehensible. I say that before this book, Darwinism itself was little more than substitute religion. Absolutely must read for everyone. ( )

How life came to be

"Arrival of the Fittest: Solving Evolution’s Greatest Puzzle" by Andreas Wagner (Current Hardcover/Penguin USA, $27.95).

The most important element of "Arrival of the Fittest: Solving Evolution’s Greatest Puzzle" is author Andreas Wagner’s clear and concise explanation of the one question that prevents so many otherwise intelligent people from fully grasping evolutionary concepts: the means by which organic matter arose from non-organic matter.

That’s the one that creationists get hung up on, and it can be a sticking point.

Wagner addresses this fundamental question by explaining how catalysts work, how very small changes in chemistry can create a big difference in an entire organism (for example, an amino acid that allows some geese to fly higher than others), and how there are a “hyperastronomical” number of possible agents in play.

Best of all, he makes clear that chaos and chance are part and parcel of nature, but the possibilities are so limitless that life isn’t accidental or the result of “intelligent design”—life’s just cool.

Science writing at its best, "Arrival of the Fittest" helps put the pieces together.

Reviewed on Lit/Rant: www.litrant.tumblr.com ( )