How Islands Foster Evolutionary Experimentation
Science writer David Quammen's new book is "The Song of the Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinctions" (Scribner). During his eight years of research, Quammen studied the biogeography of islands around the world. His travels introduced him to plants and animals previously unimagined. Quammen is a two-time recipient of the National Magazine Award for his science essays and other work in Outside magazine.
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Other segments from the episode on July 1, 1996
A Journalist Tries to Solve a Murder Mystery in Post-Revolution Philippines
Author and journalist and NPR reporter Alan Berlow's new book is "Dead Season: A Story of Murder and Revenge on the Philippine Island of Negros." It's an investigation into a massacre of a peasant family which was linked to a series of interrelated crimes. Berlow also examines the broader problems facing the Philippines and the impact of American colonialism and imperialism.
Everything But the Girl Rebels Against Punk with Lush Energy
Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Walking Wounded" by the English duo, Everything But the Girl.
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Science Writer David Quammen
His new book is Monster of God: The Man-Eating Predator in the Jungles of History and the Mind. Heâs also the author of The Song of the Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinctions, which received the John Burroughs Medal for natural history writing. Quamman is the author of five nonfiction books, and four books of fiction. Heâs been honored with the Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has written for National Geographic, Outside and Harperâs.
Novelist and Science Journalist David Quammen.
Fiction and science writer David Quammen. His column "Natural Acts" appears regularly in Outside Magazine. His new collection of short stories is called Blood Line, and his second collection of science essays will be published soon.
Conservation Biologist Explains Why 'Feathers' Matter
Thor Hanson's new book looks at the evolutionary significance of feathers in birds. Hanson tells Fresh Air that he's amazed by birds' magnitude of feathers, how feathers grow and how they're the "most efficient insulation known."