Description: On the Wing is the first book to take a comprehensive look at the evolution of flight in all four groups of powered flyers: insects, pterosaurs, birds and bats. David Alexander describes and evaluates both traditional and modern wing-origin theories in light of new fossil and genetic evidence.
Review Quotes: "dependably engaging" -- The Washington Post
"On the Wing: Insects, Pterosaurs, Birds, Bats and the Evolution of Animal Flight, is an excellent book. It is extremely well-written, and balances discussion of all four taxa like no other published treatise on animal flight. Moreover, it is accessible to the general public while still providing enough depth (and appropriate references) for anyone who wants to further examine the evolution of flight. This book is a must-read for all graduate students who plan to work on the evolution or biomechanics of flight, regardless of what lineage(s) they study." -- Integrative and Comparative Biology"Alexander tells us that this book had a long gestation; he started writing it in 2002. But if the writing was difficult the reading is easy; the book ranks highly on that score. But Alexander has not compromised on the scientific content, and he gives all the different views he describes a fair hearing while not hesitating to say where his own preference lies. This is definitely a book that I shall be reading more than once." --ANTHONY CAMPBELL'S BOOK REVIEWS"On the Wing would be an excellent introduction to the field for amateur birders and entomologists - or just the flight curious. Furthermore, while reading, I found myself designing an undergraduate seminar course, using the book as a foundation and introduction to supplemental primary research." --Bioscience"This book provides a very accessible, well-illustrated synthesis of current understanding of how this most wondrous, rare, and beneficial of adaptations came to be. From birdwatchers to bug collectors, dinosaur enthusiasts, bat lovers, and even pilots, anyone with an interest in nature, evolution, and flight will enjoy this fascinating book. Highly recommended." --CHOICE