Evolution Boxed Set

Starring:Evolution
Studio: Wgbh Boston
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The long, long story of evolution is told very well in this extensive eight-hour series originally shown on PBS. The production begins with a dramatization of the struggles of Charles Darwin in a two-hour film aptly titled "Darwin's Dangerous Idea." Scenes of actors portraying Darwin and his contemporaries are supplemented by interviews with experts such as Stephen Jay Gould. In further installments, various topics related to evolution, such as major transformations of species, the intellectual development of humans, the phenomenon of animal extinction, and even the organized opposition to evolutionary theory by religious fundamentalists, are discussed with considerable depth. Interview segments with scholars (and their opponents) are accompanied by extraordinary visuals, including some computer-generated sequences (such as one illustrating how whales left land and evolved in the oceans) that are dazzling. This series, which is narrated by actor Liam Neeson, is a remarkably intelligent and entertaining approach to a fascinating topic. --Robert J. McNamara
Description
Evolution offers a groundbreaking and definitive view of the extraordinary impact the evolutionary process has had on our understanding of the world around us. Beginning with Darwin's revolutionary theory, this seven-part series explores all facets of evolution-the changes that spawned the tree of life, the power of sex, how evolution continues to affect us every day, and the perceived conflict between science and religion. Includes:

Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Interweaving key moments of drama in Darwin's life with current research, Darwin's Dangerous Idea explores why his theory of evolution might matter even more today than it did in his own time.

Great Transformations: From the development of the four-limbed body plan, the journey of animal life from water to land, and the emergence of humans, Great Transformations focuses on the important evolutionary changes that triggered the earth's incredible diversity.

Extinction!: Some 99.9 percent of all species that have ever lived on earth are now extinct. Extinction! explores why, then confronts a frightening notion: Are humans causing the next mass extinctionthe sixth in the history of life on earth?

The Evolutionary Arms Race: Survival of the fittest: Is it raw competition, a level of cooperation indispensable to life, or both? Explore our own spiraling arms race with microorganismsthe only real threat to our existenceand trace the alarming spread of resistance among pathogens that cause disease.

Why Sex?: Investigate the endless variety of sexual expression and the powerful hold sex exerts over almost all living things. And discover why, in evolutionary terms, sex is more important than life itself.

The Mind's Big Bang: Between 100,000 and 50,000 years ago, something happened that triggered a creative, technological, and social explosion, allowing humans to dominate the planet. What forces may have contributed to the emergence of the modern human mind?

What About God?: Of all the species on earth, only humans try to explain who they are and how they came to be. Encounter real human stories of people struggling to find a balance between religion and science, realms that play very different roles in assigning order to the universe and a purpose to life.

Special DVD features include: Access to the Evolution Web site, featuring interactive games and activities, a comprehensive evolution library, online teacher course and student lessons, a printable teacher's guide, an evolution glossary and FAQs, and more; chapter search; English audiotrack; and subtitles.

Amazon.com

The long, long story of evolution is told very well in this extensive eight-hour series originally shown on PBS. The production begins with a dramatization of the struggles of Charles Darwin in a two-hour film aptly titled "Darwin's Dangerous Idea." Scenes of actors portraying Darwin and his contemporaries are supplemented by interviews with experts such as Stephen Jay Gould. In further installments, various topics related to evolution, such as major transformations of species, the intellectual development of humans, the phenomenon of animal extinction, and even the organized opposition to evolutionary theory by religious fundamentalists, are discussed with considerable depth. Interview segments with scholars (and their opponents) are accompanied by extraordinary visuals, including some computer-generated sequences (such as one illustrating how whales left land and evolved in the oceans) that are dazzling. This series, which is narrated by actor Liam Neeson, is a remarkably intelligent and entertaining approach to a fascinating topic. --Robert J. McNamara

Description

Evolution offers a groundbreaking and definitive view of the extraordinary impact the evolutionary process has had on our understanding of the world around us. Beginning with Darwin's revolutionary theory, this seven-part series explores all facets of evolution-the changes that spawned the tree of life, the power of sex, how evolution continues to affect us every day, and the perceived conflict between science and religion. Includes:

The Evolutionary Arms Race: Survival of the fittest: Is it raw competition, a level of cooperation indispensable to life, or both? Explore our own spiraling arms race with microorganisms—the only real threat to our existence—and trace the alarming spread of resistance among pathogens that cause disease.

On four DVD5 discs. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Widescreen (Anamorphic)

Customer Reviews:

Evolution Boxed Set.......2007-04-29

I used this set to help me study for a university evolution test. It helped me to understand the material and gave me something to study when the book + my flashcards were just too much.

From Darwing to God........2006-03-19

From Darwing to God. This piece is an excellent work to track evolution. It starts with the Darwing's revolutionary ideas of evolution. Presents the cycles of extintions and emergences of species, having humans the roll of the last potential species to trigger the next mass extinction in the history of life on earth. The transformation of species as a result of its interation with their environment, is as well shown, having us, humans, involved in a battle between organisms. This is discussied under the threat of microorganisms to our own existence, bringing to the viewer instances from the real life. Finally, the documentary shows the battle between creationism and evolution. The struggle humans have with these new ideas of evolution and the existence of God. In order to overcome this paradoxe, a new idea of an intelligent life is proposed. This new concept states the existence of an entity embedded in the universe, as the creator and responsible of this magnificent universe.

I watched this documentary all at once, and is a caudal of information that will bring to you a new perspective of life. Enjoy it!

Evolution Boxed Set.......2006-02-25

Quite interesting, and well worth viewing, if vaguely irritating in its exposition of religious belief in the final program, though I wouldn't say this segment is out of place or inappropriate as included with the other material. The series is well-done and certainly expounds its material with clarity and concision; some of the subjects in the final segment look silly, that's all. Perhaps, as has been said many times by many people, such subjects would be more benignly tolerated if they themselves were more tolerant of others, and learned once and for all to cease attempts, by a variety of means, to "force" everyone else to live as they do. I might have placed the evolution/religion program in the middle of the series, rather than concluding with it, so as not to end on so meaninglessly contentious a note.

The other segments, while only very slightly dry, and only on occasion, do manage to complete a portrait of evolutionary theory as compelling as it is informative.

Well-executed, fascinating presentation of real science........2005-06-10

I rented this series via Netflix and can only say Bravo! to the people who produced it. They made fascinating television out of what can be a dry, esoteric subject (which is probably the real reason so many people are succeptible to the creationists' psuedo-scientific drivel). Since evolution is, in fact, the foundation and cornerstone of the modern life sciences, a grounding in the subject is essential and this series accomplishes that goal quite well.

The first part, if you've read Desmond Brown excellent biography of Charles Darwin, is spot on. The acting was even quite good, something you don't always expect from this kind of show. You could have expanded those parts of the show into a respectable episode of "Masterpiece Theater."

The only part that didn't really impress me that much is the last, "What About God?" I'm not saying it was poorly done, only that it went over territory that was already quite familiar to me. If you are unfamiliar with the ongoing tug-of-war between scientific educators and religious conservatives in the United States, then this last segment will probably be more interesting to you.

Absolutely Awesome!.......2005-03-16

I use this DVD series to help teach evolution to my high school biology students. They love it, I love it, and it's very easy for them to understand. The bonus is that it's current and is as correct a video I have seen. Absolutely awesome.

When teaching evolution, it can sometimes be 'dry' for the students and this video series brings it to life. The graphics and computer generated images really keep the students' attention.

The best part is that is correlates with the website. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/

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