The Evolution of Life Histories

`Although aimed at advanced students, this work will be read much more widely, because the basics of life-history theory pervade all pure and applied branches of ecology, ethology, and evolution. Stearns sets us on the right track for understanding interactions between traits'.

`The text flows well from start to finish because of clear summaries in, and connections between, the chapters. This is especially true of the first section on the fundamentals, which contains a lucid discussion of concepts such as natural selection, adaptation, and fitness.'

`... an excellent read. Nature `One of the most beneficial actions an adviser could take for a new graduate student in evolutionary biology would be to put Stearns' book in her or his hands and say, "Read this."' Science 'The Evolution of Life Histories by Stephen C. Stearns stands as a signpost to the resolution of the debate. The book justifiably focuses on the evolution of life-history traits. The successful predictions of optimality models that are amply demonstrated in the book indicate the fruitfulness of this approach. One of the most beneficial actions an adviser could take for a new graduate student in evolutionary biology would be to put Stearns' book in her or his hands and say, "Read this".' Samuel M. Scheiner, Northern Illinois University, Science, Vol. 258, December 1992 'This is a comprehensive, up-to-date text in a field that holds a central position in modern ecology and evolution.' Ethology Ecology & Evolution 5: 1993