This book explains the author's theory that the Cambrian Explosion was touched off by the first trilobites' evolving eyes, which would have escalated predator-prey interactions. I wonder whether the author, as a specialist in animal coloration, might be underestimating the potential of other senses, but it seems like a plausible theory and informatively explained. I hope that I'll find out about it if paleontologists ever come to a conclusion on what caused the Cambrian Explosion.

This book posits that the Cambrian explosion was precipitated by the advent of vision in animals. It is well documented and easy to read, but irritatingly structured. Parker tries to build suspense about his thesis, revealed only at the end of the book. But don't worry; this is not a spoiler. It's perfectly obvious what he's building towards. But I appreciate the author's attempt to give a pop science book a literary structure, even if it is humorously fumbled.

Parker's theory is interesting, and could very well be true, but the majority of this book does little to outline the connection he makes in the last chapter. All the preceding chapters are filled with subject matter that will not interest the average reader who does not have a particularly strong interest in how optics, pigment, coloration, and vision relate to nature. I think he's trying to imitate Darwin by going through countless examples of particular situations in nature to prove a point, but the point is, in the end, not really proven. He calls his ending idea the "Light Switch Theory", but it's more of hypothesis than a theory.
It's worth a read for those of us who are extremely interested in all things paleontological, but as I previously insinuated, not for those looking for a breathtaking journey through the ancient world or through paleontology.

Depending on someone's familiarity with the subject, the book offers some mind blowing perspectives, but mind numbing writing at times. I might be a bit harsh - the facts and the (remarkable) science should speak for themselves, but depending on the attention span and resoluteness of a reader this book might lose its' audience and that sort of defeats the purpose of popular science.

The book is structured in a way as to build towards the big reveal, but never really delivers because we know what the author is going to argue for from the very beginning. Once it finally happens, the implications, such as Snowball Earth hypothesis aren't discussed in great depth, and sometimes are presented alongside false information - I'm no astronomer, but as far as I know there's only one Oort cloud and it is not the same as an Interstellar cloud.

That said... from the perspective of someone who's not familiar with evolutionary palaeontology, structural colors or the existence of seed shrimp (which turns out to be one of the most populous and unpopular animals of our oceans) this book is an extremely valuable read.

It’s a tough book to follow in places, but quite brilliantly written so explanations make a lot of sense you just have to think about it! The Light Switch Theory makes for a very good explanation. If only we could swim through a Pre Cambrian or Cambrian Ocean now that would be amazing and eye opening (pardon the pun!)
Enjoy the journey it’s well worth a read!

寒武紀大爆發的原因直至現在尚未有定，本書以新觀點來詮釋之。
個人認為，作者有點花太多篇幅在講重複的事情了，略顯冗長。
本書從不同角度證明「眼睛」是寒武紀大爆發的原因，如光學、物理學、地質學，誠如前面所說，重複性高、篇幅也不短，如果對該主題不熟悉或不感興趣會感到有點無聊。

an australian zoologist proposes, convincingly, that the cambrian explosion of phyla was the result of the evolution of vision in trilobites. hard bodies evolved in defense and the race was on.

This technical but engaging book thoroughly outlines one of the most important stages of evolution of life on Earth. Although the end is easy to predict, as in any good non fiction, the journey brings new light to your understanding.