Competition: copy of my species book 4 Oct 201127 Oct 2011 My book Species: A History of the Idea is soon to be available in paperback. I have a few copies I’d like to share, so put your name in the comments and make sure your email is filled out (it doesn’t get shown publicly) and I will roll some virtual dice and choose recipients. Entries close, say, end of the month, 31 October. I’ll even sign them addressed to the winners. This is validation of the Epicurean randomness of the universe, by the way. Administrative History Humor Species and systematics
Epistemology Bayes, evolutionary clocks, and biogeography 30 Mar 20122 Apr 2012 I just received a review by Gareth Nelson of Michael Heads’ book Molecular Panbiogeography of the Tropics (publishers’ site). I should have blogged this before, since I got a copy, being on the editorial board for this series (the same one I published with at Uni Calif Press), but I have… Read More
Biology Why is Darwin’s theory so controversial? 24 Nov 2012 So asks this essay and gets the whole thing wrong. Darwin’s theories (plural) are not controversial because they imply that species are mutable. This was a widely held view by preachers, moralists, Aristotelians, naturalists, breeders, formalists, folk biology, and even biblical translators. Darwin was not controversial because he implied racist… Read More
Any limitations on location of the recipient? I imagine some of us are pretty spread out around the planet. (yes, this is my entry. 😉 )
I’d be a fool to pass up not just a potentially free book, but a free academic book at that! Thanks for being so generous.
By the way, I’m not saying that witty comments stand a better chance of winning than others, but hey, you never know what will bias the die…
Terrific. I’ve been meaning to pick up the hardcover for a while now. I guess I’ll at least wait ’till Halloween then. 😉
I’d been planning to look out for this the next time I was in a suitable bookshop (something that doesn’t happen very often any more).
I really liked your post of species definitions a while back (can’t find it now, but there’s this list of definitions), so I look forward to reading the book. Does flattery increase my chances? How about the fact that I work on speciation? No? Well, odds are still pretty good…
Flattery would work, but to have flattered me, as a speciation researcher, you’d have to have read and cited my paper on speciation…
Imagine that my hat (not that I usually wear one) has been thrown in the ring … this is generous, thanks!
I’d like to be in with a chance of winning a book written by the great John S. Wilkins signed and all. 🙂
Neat trick! With one simple move, the renowned philosopher gets himself a top quality list of people who are interested in species concepts but too stingy to actually buy a copy… and unashamed to announce this to the author and the world! Or perhaps they get the “I’m sorry you were unlucky in the free draw but as you are so interested in species concepts perhaps you would like to take your wallet out now?” mailing? I’ll buy a copy when I want to read it, so count me out. Oh blow, have I accidentally entered? No, I’m sure I haven’t! Please no! I’d feel guilty at receiving a book and then not reading it, at least if I buy it, I feel I have the freedom to read it or not.
I’d like to propose an amendment to the contest rules: survival of the fittest. I brought my brass knuckles and acetaminophen — let’s get started!
in certain situations i would reject the treatment of consideration as an equal side on a throw of a uncertain number-sided dice – this is not one of those sitations – thanks!
Since I have your book on my wishlist for my anniversary and not being sure if I get it, I’ll have a try..
I’m not in! But that’s only because I already have a copy of your book with a very sweet dedication from the author. I’ve even read most of it and quoted it a couple of times on my blog. So I’ll just say to all of your other visitors get in there the books really worth having!
If I won, the fact that I am on the same continental landmass as you should mean for cheaper postage fees (though one should perhaps not make that assumption about this particular continental landmass). By the way, are you aware if a good review has ever been written about the history of the type specimen(s) concept in biology?
There is a hardcover copy of _Species: A History of the Idea_in the Seneca Library, Toronto, ordered at my suggestion. http://tinyurl.com/6kbwnhq
I have nothing witty to say. But if I could have a random number assigned to me for this draw that would be grand.
Ooh. This is excellent. Wee. Yay books. (Yeah I’m not running on enough sleep to make a coherent comment here).
Please add my name to the lottery list. I’m living in Europe right now (so beware the postage) but perhaps I can arrange for a pickup in Melbourne close to year’s end.
I read your book in the British Library (a good read) but I’d love to have my own copy. Fingers crossed.
The book would be better in the hands of someone who would understand its contents, but if it’s free, then hey, why not? I’m in. Incidentally, I like the photograph in the new banner, although the manner in which Snowflake is superimposed on it seems a bit wrong. Have you ever considered creating Evolving Thoughts merchandise via either Zazzle or CafePress? Maybe a coffee mug? Could be one way to get donations, assuming you sell more than the threshold obtained by dividing the amount Australian banks charge for converting American cheques by the royalty you receive per mug.
Thanks for the offer, but I would rather go the classic route to obtain the book and allow you get a royalty in the process…
Holy FSM on a cracker! Mention free shit and everyone comes out of the woodwork. {clears throat} I hereby announce that I do not want free stuff. Even a copy of John’s book(s) (which I’ve read and is/are excellent and well worth PAYING for. In hardback. Twice. Each). If John sends me the book I will commit an act of PZ Myers* + Communion Cracker-esque desecration upon it. I may even go…{dramatic pause, stern look}…further. I absolutely, positively, completely and actively remove myself from the “Free John’s Book” competition forthwith, fifthwith and in perpetuity, to my nth descendant where n is a very large number indeed. I’m actually serious, just in a comedy way. Lots of love Louis *Not sure that’s how you spell it.
I have waited a week or so and I am pleased to note I have not won a copy of the book. Thus all has proceeded according to my wishes. This is a Good Thing. Next step: ???. Then of course: Profit! Louis P.S. I thought he spells his name “Cthulu”. Still, goes to show, eh? Tchoh. Americans. What are they like? Gawd luv a duck {clicks heels} {assorted cockney business}.
You, like everyone else, have to wait until the end of the month, or until I get bored and just do it. No correspondence will be entered into, judge’s decision is final, have to wait until I find the box the prizes are in, etc…
Ooooh that would be awesome. I’m still getting my head around the basics of species theory. Thank you!
FREE, did you write FREE? I don’t know what to say, I mean I’m driven to want it and I don’t know why….
Besides your world class scholarship, _Species: A History of the Idea_ has a really cool book cover. By far the best of the three in your display. 🙂
I chose the image, but I strongly and futilely objected to the use of Microsoft fonts on the cover. I wanted Egyptienne and Univers… Arial: ackphoo!
After years of lurking, this is my first post, does that improve or hurt my chances? I guess this would also be the opportune time to thank you for providing me with a link to two excellent papers that came in handy when I was tasked with discussing the influence of Plato and (his) essentialism on pre-Darwinial evolutionary thinking for a class on evolutionary theories. So: “Thanks.” If I don’t win, the book will definitely be on my reading list some time in the future. Last time I checked there was only a hardcover version, and those are a bit too expensive on a student’s budget. 😛
Do not pick me. Some guy forging your name and an inscription with an astounding imitation of your handwriting has already autographed a hardcover copy of The Book for me. It lives on a shelf next to a biography of Einstein. Is that wrong? I could move it next to “The History of Mathematics” or Al Franken. If I win, I would only donate it to the library where tens of people would read it and who wants that?
I often have to describe new species, and sometimes new genera. It would be nice if I knew what I was doing! Thanks for including me in the draw.
I could use one so I can express to my colleagues what the hell I am talking about when I am trying to explain some of my thoughts on the taxonomic problems I have been twitching over for a decade.
I’d love to have a copy of your book, but if I don’t win the by the drawing/dart board/egregious favoritism/other method, I’d be happy to have a local bookstore order your book for me. I have gift certificates worth $65 US to any store in “Fashion Valley”, which is just about enough to buy a scarf at most of those clothing stores, but goes a lot further when buying books.
Winners: Cameron Peters Doug G Elais Jackson Jesse Schaefer Lorax sbh Send me an email with your addresses.