Introduces the pioneers of complexity theory--from Heinz Pagels to Brian Arthur--examines the theory's components, and explains its value in the effort to achieve a unification of the life sciences. By the author of Bones of Contention.

Complexity: Life at the Edge of Chaos

Science & Math

LEWIN, Roger

History & Philosophy

Macmillan Pub. Co.

Where did we come from? Where are we going?Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin continue the pioneering field work of Louis and Mary Leakey by fitting together the pieces of our past to discover new answers to these age-old questions. The authors explore our long-buried past—from the feral roots of humanity, through the eons of time, to society today, replete with its wonders and anomalies—searcing for valuable insights into the future of modern society.
In this vast survey of human origins and evolution, Leakey and Lewin present intriguing scientific information in such a way that the general reader will be fascinated and drawn into the search.
"One of the most readable and informative boks of its kind." — Ashley Montagu, Saturday Review
"It is a pleasure to see in print an authentic representation of what are, with only minor exceptions, the views held by most of the professionals in the field. Graced with humor, intriguing ideas, and unfamiliar insights.' — Carl Sagan, The New York Times Book Review

Origins: The Emergence and Evolution of Our Species and Its Possible Future

Politics & Social Sciences

Leakey, Richard

Anthropology

Penguin??Books

Bones of Contention is a behind-the-scenes look at the search for human origins. Analyzing how the biases and preconceptions of paleoanthropologists shaped their work, Roger Lewin's detective stories about the discovery of Neanderthal Man, the Taung Child, Lucy, and other major fossils provide insight into this most subjective of scientific endeavors. The new afterword looks at ways in which paleoanthropology, while becoming more scientific in many ways, remains contentious. "[An] un-put-downable book."—John Gribbon, Times Educational Supplement "Not just another 'stones and bones' account of human evolution. It is Lewin's thesis, amply demonstrated, that paleoanthropology is the most subjective of sciences because it engages the emotions of virtually everyone; and since the evidence is scrappy, interpretation is everything. . . . A splendid, stirring, and eye-opening account, to be devoured."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review "[Lewin shows] 'how very unscientific the process of scientific inquiry can be.'. . . Bones of Contention is . . . serious intellectual history."—Edward Dolnick, Wall Street Journal "[Lewin] documents his thesis in persuasive detail. . . . The reader is carried along by the power of Mr. Lewin's reporting."—Robert Wright, New York Times Book Review

Bones of Contention: Controversies in the Search for Human Origins

Social Sciences

University of Chicago Press

"Put together one of the world's best science writers with one of the universe's most fascinating subjects and you are bound to produce a wonderful book. . . . The subject of complexity is vital and controversial. This book is important and beautifully done."—Stephen Jay Gould"[Complexity] is that curious mix of complication and organization that we find throughout the natural and human worlds: the workings of a cell, the structure of the brain, the behavior of the stock market, the shifts of political power. . . . It is time science . . . thinks about meaning as well as counting information. . . . This is the core of the complexity manifesto. Read it, think about it . . . but don't ignore it."—Ian Stewart, NatureThis second edition has been brought up to date with an essay entitled "On the Edge in the Business World" and an interview with John Holland, author of Emergence: From Chaos to Order.

"Put together one of the world's best science writers with one of the universe's most fascinating subjects and you are bound to produce a wonderful book. . . . The subject of complexity is vital and controversial. This book is important and beautifully done."—Stephen Jay Gould "[Complexity] is that curious mix of complication and organization that we find throughout the natural and human worlds: the workings of a cell, the structure of the brain, the behavior of the stock market, the shifts of political power. . . . It is time science . . . thinks about meaning as well as counting information. . . . This is the core of the complexity manifesto. Read it, think about it . . . but don't ignore it."—Ian Stewart, Nature This second edition has been brought up to date with an essay entitled "On the Edge in the Business World" and an interview with John Holland, author of Emergence: From Chaos to Order.

Philosophy

"'Garniss, lend me your knife for a second, will you,' I whispered." So begins Java Man, the inside story of how one discovery—a human skull found on the island of Java—by two geologists shook the foundations of science. By uncovering new evidence about the hominid known as Java man, Carl C. Swisher and Garniss H. Curtis were able to date his fossil remains at 1.7 million years, an age that stunned the scientific community because it pushed back the time when humans migrating out of Africa first reached Eurasia by nearly one million years. Cowritten by the popular science writer Roger Lewin, this is a gripping and informative account of the discovery that breathed new life into the human origins debate. Originally published by Scribner 2000 ISBN: 0-684-80000-4

Java Man: How Two Geologists Changed Our Understanding of Human Evolution

Swisher III, Carl C.

Curtis, Garniss H.

Through the discovery of fossil remains in Africa, the author draws conclusions about the nature of prehistoric life and its influence on modern culture

People of the Lake: Mankind & Its Beginnings

Leakey, Richard E.

Avon/Books

Complexity is the unifying theory of biological and physical phenomena. It holds that at the root of all complex systems lie a few simple rules, taking the notion of chaos (which states that within seemingly chaotic systems are elements of order) a step further by actually identifying these rules. The author sees it as the dominant scientific trend of the 1990s, as scientists from many disciplines come together and begin to discover the underlying similarities in their fields.

Complexity: life at the edge of chaos

J.M.Dent.

As in earlier editions of this very popular textbook, the author takes a view of human evolutionary history in the context of behavioural ecology. The fourth edition includes coverage of the most recent fossil discoveries, including three new species of early humans.

Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction, Fourth Edition

Wiley/Blackwell

Principles of Human Evolution presents an in-depth introduction to paleoanthropology and the study of human evolution. Focusing on the fundamentals of evolutionary theory and how these apply to ecological, molecular genetic, paleontological and archeological approaches to important questions in the field, this timely textbook will help students gain a perspective on human evolution in the context of modern biological thinking. The second edition of this successful text features the addition of Robert Foley, a leading researcher in Human Evolutionary Studies, to the writing team. Strong emphasis on evolutionary theory, ecology and behavior and scores of new examples reflect the latest evolutionary theories and recent archaeological finds. More than a simple update, the new edition is organized by issue rather than chronology, integrating behavior, adaptation and anatomy. A new design and new figure references make this edition more accessible for students and instructors. <ul> <li>New author, Robert Foley – leading figure in Human Evolutionary Studies – joins the writing team. 
</li> <li>Dedicated website – www.blackwellpublishing.com/lewin – provides study resources and artwork downloadable for Powerpoint presentations. 
</li> <li>Beyond the Facts boxes – explore key scientific debates in greater depth. 
</li> <li>Margin Comments – indicate the key points in each section. 
</li> <li>Key Questions – review and test students’ knowledge of central chapter concepts and help focus the way a student approaches reading the text. 
</li> <li>New emphasis on ecological and behavioral evolution – in keeping with modern research. 
</li> <li>Fully up to date with recent fossil finds and interpretations; integration of genetic and paleoanthropological approaches.</li> </ul>

Principles of Human Evolution

Foley, Robert A.

Blackwell Pub.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by LEWIN, Roger. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by LEWIN, Roger

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by LEWIN, Roger. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Complexity: Life at the Edge of Chaos

Origins: The Emergence and Evolution of Our Species and Its Possible Future

Bones of Contention: Controversies in the Search for Human Origins

Complexity: Life at the Edge of Chaos

Complexity: Life at the Edge of Chaos

Java Man: How Two Geologists Changed Our Understanding of Human Evolution

People of the Lake: Mankind & Its Beginnings

Complexity: life at the edge of chaos

Human Evolution: An Illustrated Introduction, Fourth Edition

Principles of Human Evolution