This volume is the final outcome of a conference designed to wrap up IOCP Project 157 (" Early Organic Evolution and Mineral and Energy Resources ") after a decade of prolific activity. The picturesque solitude of Maria Laach Abbey in the Eifel Mountains (FRO) provided the appropriate setting for a conclave of some 80 specialists from the various walks of the field who, during the week of Sept. 19 - 23, 1988, strived hard to define the state of the art in the principal segments of this Earth Science frontier. The following pages contain the essence of the conference transactions, giv ing a vivid cross-section of the activities pursued by IOCP Project 157 during its final years. The coverage of topics is not necessarily complete, but rather eclec tic in part. With regard to single papers dealing with modern analogues of ancient processes, the book title might even be considered a grave misnomer. Neverthe less, all contributions relate to the subject in the widest sense, and the reader should be reminded that much of the heterogeneity reflected by the volume de rives from the fact that it is primarily a research report from a highly inter disciplinary field rather than a textbook.

Now available in English for the first time, Basic Questions in Paleontology is a landmark work in twentieth-century evolution and paleontology. Originally published in German in 1950, Schindewolf's book was highly controversial for its thoroughgoing anti-Darwinism, but today his ideas are remarkably relevant to current research in evolutionary biology. "[This book] would rank number one on my list of items awaiting translation from the history of twentieth-century evolutionary theory."—Stephen Jay Gould

This title provides a comprehensive analytical overview of public dialogue among 19th century American Protestant intellectuals who struggled with the theory of organic evolution. Arguments over the scientific merits of Darwin's theory gave way to discussions of its theological implications.

The book “Organic Evolution”, with several novel features, is comprehensively written with latest advances in the subject and is divided in seven chapters. Chapter 1 of the book describes the environment of primitive earth and how it was essential for the origin of first life form. Chapter 2 includes evolutionary theories and supporting evidences in favour of evolution. The role of population genetics in evolution of gene pools of population is in Chapter 3. The concept of species and modes of speciation, how new species originates and how much genetic change is required for speciation is discussed in Chapter 4. Chapter 5 provides the essential information needed to understand molecular evolution and how molecules are reliable tools for molecular systematics and in reconstruction of phylogenies. Chapter 6 of the book describes vertebrate diversity and vertebrate evolution primarily focusing on Primates and the evolution of Homo sapiens. Finally, Chapter 7 is about the origin and evolution of Angiosperms. The language and contents of this book are made so simple and easy that even a student with a minimal knowledge of Life Sciences will be able to understand the essence of evolution.This book has been designed mainly to provide the most fundamental and updated knowledge of the subject to undergraduate and postgraduate students in various streams of Life Sciences- Botany, Zoology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Agriculture etc; of Indian Universities. Besides this book will be beneficial to student’s preparing for CSIR NET Life Sciences, GATE Life Sciences, ICMR Life Sciences, IAS, IFS and other State Civil service examinations.