Why Evolution Is True
In Jerry A. Coyne’s *Why Evolution Is True*, readers get a rigorous, accessible defense of evolution as an undeniable scientific fact, not just a theoretical guess. Drawing on decades of cross-disciplinary research—from paleontology and genetics to biogeography and ecology—Coyne systematically dismantles common myths, from the "perfect design" argument to misunderstandings about what a "scientific theory" actually means. He breaks down core evolutionary mechanisms: natural selection, genetic drift, sexual selection, and speciation, using vivid examples like antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Galápagos finches, and transitional fossils such as Tiktaalik and Archaeopteryx. The book also traces human evolution from African hominids to modern humans, and addresses ethical concerns about evolution’s perceived impact on morality. By weaving together interconnected evidence, Coyne shows that evolution isn’t just a concept—it’s the foundational framework for understanding all life on Earth, spanning 3.5 billion years of extraordinary, unplanned change.