Douglas H. Erwin

Some 250 million years ago, the earth suffered the greatest biological crisis in its history. Around 95 percent of all living species died out—a global catastrophe far greater than the dinosaurs' demise 185 million years later. How this happened remains a mystery, but there are many competing theories. Some blame huge volcanic eruptions that covered an area as large as...

A visionary look at how novel attributes arise and become transformative innovations in nature, culture, and technology. The Origins of the New presents a revolutionary approach to evolutionary success in all realms of life. In this groundbreaking book, Douglas Erwin takes readers on a dazzling excursion across science and history to explore how evolution generates new and enduring features in...