Richard Lewontin is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished evolutionary biologists of our time. He has contributed to science not only by his own work on evolutionary theory and molecular variation and by his influence on the many young scientists who have worked with him but also by asking us to think about the relationships between the science we do and that world we do it in. Sciences in general, and the life sciences in particular, need their own critic, and Lewontin has been an untiring critic of science and its relevance to society. This collection of essays, first published in 2000, was produced in honour of Lewontin's 65th birthday. The volume has a comprehensive coverage of modern evolutionary genetics from molecules to morphology by a group of star authors, including his students and colleagues. The areas covered are: the mathematical and molecular foundations of population genetics, molecular variation and evolution, selection and genetic polymorphisms, linkage and breeding system evolution, quantitative genetics and phenotypic evolution, gene flow and population structure, speciation, behaviour, and ecology. The volume brings out the central role of evolutionary genetics in all aspects of its connection to evolutionary biology and is a must for all graduate students and researchers in evolutionary biology.

This is the second of two volumes published by Cambridge University Press in honor of Richard Lewontin. The first volume, Evolutionary Genetics from Molecules to Morphology, honors Lewontin's more technical contributions to genetics and evolutionary biology. This second volume of essays honors the philosophical, historical, and political dimensions of his work. Given the range of Lewontin's own contributions, it is fitting that the volume covers such a wide range of perspectives on modern biology. He was a very successful practitioner of evolutionary genetics, a rigorous critic of the practices of genetics and evolutionary biology, as well as an articulate analyst of the social, political, and economic contexts and consequences of genetic and evolutionary research. The volume contains an essay by Lewontin on Natural History and Formalism in Evolutionary Genetics, and an extended interview with Lewontin, covering the history of evolutionary genetics as seen from his perspective and exemplified by his career. The remaining chapters, contributed by former students, post-docs, colleagues, and collaborators, cover issues ranging from the history and conceptual foundations of evolutionary biology and genetics, to the implications of human genetic diversity, to the political economy of agriculture and public health.

Lewontin is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished evolutionary biologists of our time. He has contributed to science not only by his own work on evolutionary theory and molecular variation and by his influence on the many young scientists who have worked with him, but also by asking us to think about the relationships between the science we do and the world we do it in. This collection of essays is produced in honor of Lewontin's 65th birthday. This unique volume offers comprehensive coverage of modern evolutionary genetics from molecules to morphology by a group of star authors, including his students and colleagues. Sciences in general, and the life sciences in particular, need their own critic, and Lewontin has been an untiring critic of science and its relevance to society. This volume brings out the central role of evolutionary genetics in all aspects of its connection to evolutionary biology and is a must for all graduate students and researchers in evolutionary biology.