I don't generally like books on evolutionary biology. Though I can't imagine why anyone would still consider evolution a 'theory' with all the hard science that now backs it up, I don't like reading the books because they are often filled with presumptuous, fill-in-the-blank science. The fossil record, though it has given us tremendous insight, is filled with holes and is very incomplete. I strongly oppose scientists that take limited information and 'invent' science using nothing other than their own imagination. This just doesn't do it for me, and it always seems to be the most common with evolutionary biology.

So why did I read Evolutionary Wars? Well, because the cover caught my eye and it had lots of cool pictures in it! ...no, really, that's the reason...

The book examines predator/prey behavior and details how they have evolved to be the intricate creatures that they are. Fortunately, the evolutionary biology is kept to a minimum, this book functions much better as a nature science book with an evolutionary introduction. It's filled with hard, observable science taken from the animal kingdom, and it was very fun to read!

Surprisingly, the book was one of those that was constantly inspiring my imagination. For example, I was elated to learn that a hermit crab that, being immune to the poisons of a stationary jellyfish-like Anemones, adorns its shell with it and uses it both as potent and dangerous defensive weapon. The book was filled with these "Oooooh, neat!" moments that I absolutely relish when reading books on subjects like this.

While the evolutionary biology aspects of the book had me tearing my hair out from time to time, the nature science was fascinating and made the book well worth suffering through the occasional assumption. Yes, the author has a tendency to repeat himself and the first 40 or so pages are very skippable, but ultimately I really enjoyed the book. It took some patience on my part in the beginning and I nearly quit on it about 30 pages in, but I'm so glad I powered through it as it lead to a very satisfying and enlightening read. ( )