Systematics and the Origin of Species from the Viewpoint of a Zoologist: With a New Introduction by the Author

I'm not a biologist. My graduate degree is in geology. However, I specialized in micropaleontology and my thesis adviser made this book required reading in her graduate level micropaleontology overview course. If this isn't required reading for ALL students studying paleontology, it should be. It's an eye-opener. Mayr clearly outlines the factors that bring about origin and separation of species. Very readable to anyone with any sort of science background and a must-own for anyone with an interest in natural sciences.

This book belongs on every serious biologist's bookshelf -when it isn't on your desk, in your easy chair, in the clutches of your students, etc. Not as "easy a read" as Mayr's more "popular" books like the wonderful ONE LONG ARGUMENT, this was and is a definitive statement on key elements of the evolutionary synthesis. Get it & read it!