Summary

Animals begins its story in ancient Greece, at a time when thinkers were trying to construct a coherent image of the universe. They needed to make sense of the world around them and the earliest theories explaining the origins of animals were drawn from the experiences of hunters. Greek philosophers eventually came to realize that careful observation of the animal kingdom is the only basis for a true understanding of the natural world. With this realization in mind, they laid the foundation of what would become a scientific approach to phenomena.

Animals provides brief glimpses of some of the events that have led to the present scientific understanding of animals, as well as short accounts of the lives of a few of the remarkable individuals who have contributed to that story. Describing a few of the changing ideas that have shaped the way people see the world of animals, this new, full-color book examines some of the research that has revealed their physiology and explained their evolution and behavior. It explores the discovery of the gene, the physical structure of DNA, and how the genetic constitution of species came to be used to determine their relationships. Animals contains a glossary defining technical terms as well as a list of books and Web sites for further information.

Chapters include:

• Where Do Animals Come From?
• The Beginning of Science
• Menageries and Zoos
• Travelers' Tales
• Fantastic Beasts
• Fantastic Humans
• Observation and Understanding
• Classifying and Experimenting
• Generation, Species, and Evolution
• Genetics and Relationships
• Animal Behavior.

Specifications

Full-color photographs and line illustrations. Index. Glossary. Web sources. Sidebars. Further resources. Tables and charts.

About the Author(s)

Michael Allaby is the author, coauthor, or editor of nearly 100 books, mainly on science, natural history, and environmental topics. Among other professional affiliations, he is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and the Association of British Science Writers. He is the author of several volumes in the Ecosystem set and Encyclopedia of Weather and Climate, Revised Edition, all for Facts On File.