Can anyone recommend a book or two about genetics and evolution?

 

My ideal book would be:

 

Undergraduate level

 

Start from microscopic description/principles of genetics (DNA, transcription etc...) and proceed through to population level genetics/evolution.

 

Have a quantitative focus/flavour - going into reasonable detail of any mathematical/computational models used.

 

Bonus if it includes something about modelling evolution with cellular automata.

 

Would be nice if i could find this all in one book, or maybe a series.

 

Thanks for any pointers.

Can anyone recommend a book or two about genetics and evolution?

 

My ideal book would be:

 

Undergraduate level

 

Start from microscopic description/principles of genetics (DNA, transcription etc...) and proceed through to population level genetics/evolution.

 

Have a quantitative focus/flavour - going into reasonable detail of any mathematical/computational models used.

 

Bonus if it includes something about modelling evolution with cellular automata.

 

Would be nice if i could find this all in one book, or maybe a series.

 

Thanks for any pointers.

Well IMHO you cannot go wrong with Richard Dawkins on this topic.

 

You may the to begin with the book that put him on the map, and might be his most well known. It's entitled, The Selfish Gene.

 

It IS over a decade old, but since the time of its writing no new discoveries have been made in the fields if bio genetics or evolution which would render anything in the book as dated, let alone inaccurate or wrong.

 

 

I'm a huge Dawkins fan, so I admit I am a bit biased, but I really do think reading him would serve you well.

Those books are on my (ever growing) list of things i should read anyway. I've only read the god delusion, i imagine his books on his actual area of expertise will be better.

 

I was thinking more of a textbook though which i don't think Dawkins books are?

Dawkin's books are good, but, yes, aimed at the general public more.

 

I've just started reading Evolution by Douglas Futuyma which seems an excellent general textbook on evolution, but not sure how good it will be for the specialist areas you want.

Let me know what you think when you've read through it. From the contents page seems to contain a lot of history of the subject?

Dawkins books are good... As stated they are more in line for the general reading purposes and the general pubic.

Let me know what you think when you've read through it. From the contents page seems to contain a lot of history of the subject?

 

 

I'm at page 74 so far and very little history. Good up to date treatment I'd say. I've come across a fair bit of maths already and there looks to be plenty more. My guess is it's a perfect degree level evolution book.

Cool - i'll try to find a copy in the library so i can try before i buy.