Pretty lightweight stuff.

This book wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't by any means revolutionary. The bulk of the information within it is already well known to anyone with an interest in this subject, although for a younger audience I've no doubt that the information would be fascinating and the slightly irreverent tone of the text appealing. This slim volume is divided into small chapters that each focus upon a single aspect of evolution. Whether the mutation is simply happenstance, for a single purpose, or to serve a great number of purposes since the original purpose is no longer true. This is the basics of evolutionary theory, how it relates to humans as well, and a smattering of statistics besides.

I found it surprising that the book doubted the relationship between the honey-badger and the honey-caller, and although it cited a single study in relation to this I am skeptical given the extensive history behind the relationship in reality and folklore. I also am somewhat rolling my eyes at the use of the honey-badger meme video as a source of information on the animal, as well as the book deal that resulted from the video.

So, a good book for a younger audience, but nothing revolutionary for the older crowd. It also does little to answer the statement in the title. Zebras have stripes for a number of reasons (and they are white and black). The primary theories are touched upon, as are the inaccuracies of a number of plot points in The Lion King. Again, good book for a younger crowd, I suppose. ( )

It turns out there is less certainty than the scientists and the textbooks would have us believe. Biologist Leo Grasset looks at the stereotypical facts we assume about African Savannah fauna. It’s about zebra stripes and giraffe necks and antelope fleeing strategies, and also termite mounds and bird tools and why trophy killing male lions does far more damage than hunters realize. But it doesn’t confirm much of what we are sure we know. And it doesn’t debunk much either.

That there is disagreement in science is no headline, but in these cases, Grasset depicts the field as wide open. There are assumptions, interpretations, possibilities and theories. How The Zebra Got Its Stripes is a fast little book that brings us up to speed on the state of our thinking today. It is an enthusiastic examination, with all due respect for the animals. I think I liked the story of the crows that drop otherwise unbreakable nuts onto the street from their position on electrical lines, and wait for cars to crush them. They even know the functions of traffic lights, and collect their rewards safely.

As for the zebras of the title, their stripes are white, and the patterns are less important than we think, and they have much duller personalities than horses.

We have much to learn.

David Wineberg ( )