BOOK REVIEW There is Grandeur in This View of Life: The Bio-Philosophical Implications of Convergent Evolution

Interest in the evolutionary theoretical implications of convergent evolution has surged over the last decade, in part due to accessible monographs (such as Conway Morris 2003) that have drawn attention to this important and under-investigated evolutionary phenomenon. Just how ubiquitous is convergent evolution in the history of life, and what does the frequency of convergence tell us about the constraints on macroevolution as it has unfolded on Earth and as it might do in other nooks and crannies of the habitable universe? Convergent Evolution: Limited Forms Most Beautiful is an exceedingly well-researched, lucidly written, and wonderfully synthetic review of convergent evolution research, making a strong case for the ubiquity of convergent evolution at all levels of the biological hierarchy. McGhee has compiled an impressive evidence base to be mined by future researchers, and the book is brimming with fascinating and underappreciated examples, some of which are of great evolutionary significance. Unlike existing monographs on the topic, Convergent Evolution is illustrated with clear, accessible figures and makes extensive use of cladograms that underscore the phylogenetic distance bridged by convergent events. It is now arguably the definitive empirical source for any biologist or non-specialist interested in the phenomenon of convergent evolution. However, like similar works before it, McGhee’s exposition is somewhat less effective on the theoretical and philosophical fronts. Before canvassing our major criticisms of the book, we will provide a brief summary of each chapter