Best Books/Sources on Evolution

[MGraser]

While I became familiarized with the theory of evolution in high school, I wasn't paying that much attention. All the recent events have made me want to see where things stand nowadays. I'd appreciate some good solid sources from both the pro and con side. If I'm to get into any of these discussions, I don't want to cite somebody who was smoking something when s/he wrote it - so please don't reference any websites written by a crazy person (unless duly noted! ).

Thanks in advance!

[sinned34]

On the pro- side, check out Talk Origins.

On the con- side, check out True Origins.

Just remember to keep your wits about you - those Evilutionists are a swarthy bunch!

[MGraser]

Thanks sinned34! It looks like that will be a good start. I look forward to references from others as well.

By the way, I wasn't aware that most evolutionists were swarthy!! (naturally having skin of a dark color; "a dark-skinned beauty"; "gold earrings gleamed against her dusky cheeks"; "a smile on his swarthy face"; "`swart' is archaic") Surely that's a generalizaton!!!

[sinned34]

Er, well... Yes, I suppose that may be true, as I am definitely amongst the palest of the pale Caucasian flesh. I meant it in the manner that "swarthy" in the past has meant "shifty" or "not to be trusted". That will teach me for using 1700's slang!

[MGraser]

Ha ha! I actually knew what you meant. I'd wanted to look up the exact meaning and kept coming up with definitions like the one below. Thinking of your statement in that context made me laugh and I had to bug you. Thanks again for your references!

[Binaural]

One of my favourite books that has evolution as a dominant topic is "the third chimpanzee" by Jared Diamond. One of the most enjoyable science books I have read (and I have read quite a few).

[Capracus]

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[El_Machinae]

University of California at San Diego has neat little seminar series where the professors give talks that the lay public can understand. One of these series is specifically about segments of Evolution

http://www.ucsd.tv/series/index.asp?seriesnumber=497&number=

I think the best talk to start with is:
The Diversity of Development - The Evolution of Complexity: From the Human Brain to the Rainforest

In my opinion, it will add greatly to your understanding of evolution.