Endless Forms Most Beautiful

Since Darwin, understanding the patterns of embryonic development has been the holy grail of biology. It was only in the late 20th century that scientists began to gather enough data to try to understand how tiny changes in the regulatory genes that control the development of the embryo lead to the enormous diversity of forms in living things. Thus arose a new branch of biological science—evolutionary developmental biology, also known as evo-devo. And the book you are holding in your hands is a fascinating journey into its world.

Sean Brendan Carroll, professor of molecular biology and genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, skillfully explains how new discoveries are helping us understand the processes that give rise to complex organisms. Beautifully written, witty, and easy to read, his book offers a whole new perspective on evolution. This is a text for anyone interested in how tiny evolutionary changes during embryonic development give rise to amazing beauty and complexity in nature.