Recently, the study of sex has undergone a sexual revolution of its own ... On the Origin of Sex: The Weird and Wonderful Science of Reproduction (Basic), by Lixing Sun, is among the latest entries into this indecorous yet edifying genre ... The way Sun tells it, the shift from isogamy to sex as we know it began with a cheat. Some 'crafty' creature figured out a way to game the system by skimping on its reproductive contribution ... The vast array of mating strategies that have evolved, Sun observes, provide 'a wealth of evidence' for 'breaking down biases.'
Even since the advent of sex, asexual reproduction has stuck around ... So why don’t we all just clone ourselves? ... It is questions like these that drive Lixing Sun’s fascinating, accessible study of how sex shapes and underpins our lives ... Sun, who is a distinguished research professor at Central Washington University, acknowledges that 'biological conflict is overlaid with the powerful influences of culture, law and ethics'. But he also argues that people might get plastic surgery, cheat on their partners or commit sexual violence because of an evolutionary impulse ... Explanations of human nature are better left to other disciplines ... When it sticks to the science this is an enlightening study.
Engaging and frequently mind-boggling ... By Sun’s own admission, On the Origin of Sex is a 'fast, selective ride', but his imagined reader isn’t always obvious. He can assume considerable knowledge of evolutionary biology. At other times, his asides and flourishes point to a more accessible title. But the book remains interesting because the many examples of kooky animal sex make it a pacy read, even if you struggle with some of the more technical scientific discussion ... Sun’s enthusiasm for his subject, and his wonder at the adaptive strategies of the animal kingdom, is also infectious.
Distills complex genetic concepts for general audiences with irreverence and humor. Sun’s analysis emphasizes the breadth of diversity in nature while reminding readers that sex and gender are neither fixed nor binary.
Sun winningly takes his experience and knowledge and translates it into a book for the masses. The writing style and flow are easy to follow, keeping readers engaged and eager to read the next line ... A terrific example of a scholar sharing his knowledge with the public in a way that is engaging and understandable to a wide range of people while remaining intellectually stimulating.
An accessible overview of sexual reproduction in the natural world ... He shares a good deal of current research on the subject and enlivens the account with intriguing details, though little will be new to well-informed readers. Still, it’s a solid primer for the uninitiated.
