THE BEAK OF THE FINCH

This Pulitzer Prize-winner manages to make Darwin's theories of evolution both accessible and fascinating. It's a tale of biologists Peter and Rosemary Grant and their scientific expeditions in the Galapagos, where they studied finches and proved that Darwin was partly right, partly wrong. McDonough's narration matches Weiner's writing: straightforward, competent, occasionally a bit uninspired, but, on the whole, well worth a listener's attention. McDonough shares a sense of marvel at the process of evolution and adds his own admiration for Darwin's work. T.H. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG 96]