Omphalos, 1857 1st ed Book

Hooper's book first appeared to me to be a creationist tract, thus not worthy of reading. In reality, it is not only a critique of the "melanic moth" work done by Kettlewell and others, but a brief review of genetic theory trends - mutationism, selectionism, neutralism, and molecularism, if that term might be used. As a young graduate student I was wooed by E. B. Ford's ecological genetics, or the less radical form - theory plus empiricism to see how the damned thing (evolution) actually worked. I am a minimalist, working on specific genes in humans (cerumen, phenylketonuria, now hemochromatosis). I knew or casually met a number of the people mentioned in the book and wished I had met more. The book is perhaps a brief introduction to the history of the field, a damning critique of studies of "melanism" in lepidoptera and an introduction to some very interesting if eccentric/flawed geniuses. It has hunan drama so may appeal to the general audience on that score but it is really a history of a small number of people attached to very prestigious institutions in England and in the US. I think she is a bit heavy in her critique if the Brits, but she is also sympathetic. The book is well-written and can be read in 2 or 3 easy nights. I shall read it again as there is much to digest for those interested in natural selection in any species.