Includes bibliographical references (p. 295-314) and index.

Nullius in verba -- The fact of replication -- The fact of variation -- The fact of selection -- The fact of speciation -- The fact of evolution -- Evolution in action -- The mirror-house of evolution -- The grand illusion. Evolution is often described as a "theory." While this is certainly technically true, it is misleading to dismiss evolution as "just a theory" (an unfounded idea), as opponents of evolution like to do. In this work of popular science, the author, an anthropologist demonstrates that there are few more well-established facts in the scientific canon than that life evolved on Earth. The book presents an introduction to evolution, using examples from different species to show how replication, variation, and selection are the three factors needed for evolution, but emphasizing that the outcome of the process is not always predictable. The book also covers new discoveries, many of which have occurred in the last twenty years.