SKU: 15933810051

The Evolution of Beauty: How Darwin's Forgotten Theory of Mate Choice Shapes the Animal World - And Us

Sale price$16.07 Regular price$17.85
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 12 - Jul 17

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

The Evolution of Beauty: How Darwin's Forgotten Theory of Mate Choice Shapes the Animal World - And UsNAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW, SMITHSONIAN, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL A major reimagining of how evolutionary forces work, revealing how mating preferences what Darwin termed "the taste for the beautiful" create the extraordinary range of ornament in the animal world. In the great halls of science, dogma holds that Darwin's theory of natural selection explains every branch on the tree of life: which species thrive,

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW, SMITHSONIAN, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL

A major reimagining of how evolutionary forces work, revealing how mating preferences--what Darwin termed "the taste for the beautiful"--create the extraordinary range of ornament in the animal world.

In the great halls of science, dogma holds that Darwin's theory of natural selection explains every branch on the tree of life: which species thrive, which wither away to extinction, and what features each evolves. But can adaptation by natural selection really account for everything we see in nature?
Yale University ornithologist Richard Prum--reviving Darwin's own views--thinks not. Deep in tropical jungles around the world are birds with a dizzying array of appearances and mating displays: Club-winged Manakins who sing with their wings, Great Argus Pheasants who dazzle prospective mates with a four-foot-wide cone of feathers covered in golden 3D spheres, Red-capped Manakins who moonwalk. In thirty years of fieldwork, Prum has seen numerous display traits that seem disconnected from, if not outright contrary to, selection for individual survival. To explain this, he dusts off Darwin's long-neglected theory of sexual selection in which the act of choosing a mate for purely aesthetic reasons--for the mere pleasure of it--is an independent engine of evolutionary change.
Mate choice can drive ornamental traits from the constraints of adaptive evolution, allowing them to grow ever more elaborate. It also sets the stakes for sexual conflict, in which the sexual autonomy of the female evolves in response to male sexual control. Most crucially, this framework provides important insights into the evolution of human sexuality, particularly the ways in which female preferences have changed male bodies, and even maleness itself, through evolutionary time.
The Evolution of Beauty presents a unique scientific vision for how nature's splendor contributes to a more complete understanding of evolution and of ourselves.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Anchor Books
Published: 04/03/2018
ISBN: 9780345804570
Pages: 448
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.10w x 1.00d
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 15933810051

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 195 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
Y
Verified Purchase
Yamira
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Practical, elegant, and very functional.
Size: Paper Towel Holder - Standard Design
I absolutely loved this paper towel holder. It features a modern stainless steel design that looks beautiful in the kitchen and matches everything. The base is quite heavy, so it doesn't slide around or tip over when you tear off a sheet—which is incredibly important. The addition of the spray bottle is an excellent bonus. It’s perfect for keeping water, vinegar, or a cleaning solution close at hand, allowing you to do a quick cleanup while you’re cooking or wiping down the countertops. Plus, it’s easy to refill and use. Another feature I appreciated is the side arm, which helps keep the roll in place and prevents it from unraveling on its own. It is well-made and durable. Overall, it is a very practical product that saves space and makes things much more convenient in the kitchen.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2026
N
Verified Purchase
Nel
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice and handy!
Size: Paper Towel Holder - Standard Design
Needed a sturdy paper towel holder for one hand operation. This fit the bill. I really like that I can just put some cleaner of choice in the middle to always have on hand; makes clean up a breeze. Would definitely recommend!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 4
It works
Size: Paper Towel Holder - With Phone Holder Design
It's great for what it is. I love the spring arm that holds the towels from unraveling. It does keep the towels from in raveling. That's the reason I bought it. The only thing I don't like about it is the spray bottle on the top. I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I didn't think I'd use the phone holder and made fun of it. But I actually used it and liked the fact that it did its job well. I just don't like it nor will I use it. The spray bottle is the reason for 4 stars
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2025
M
Verified Purchase
Madelyn
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 3
Return for a reason
Size: Paper Towel Holder - Standard Design
The spray bottle feels very cheap, and it doesn’t stick well down to the paper towel holder. The actual holder is an OK quality it’s very flimsy but it does the job. I would recommend to spend the extra money to get a better one from amazon
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026
M
Verified Purchase
MAli
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent product
Size: Paper Towel Holder - Standard Design, Size: Paper Towel Holder - Standard Design
This kitchen paper towel holder is very convenient and practical. The holder keeps paper towels secure and easy to access, while the small spray bottle is perfect for quick cleaning around the kitchen. It saves space on the counter and looks neat and modern. Great quality and very useful for everyday use!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2026

recommand products