'This is a fascinating and authoritative collection shedding new light on one of the most fundamental challenges in evolutionary biology. Charles Darwin, who puzzled over the evolution of anisogamy, would much enjoy reading this book.' Simon A. Levin, Princeton University

'The mysteries of sex intrigue everyone, from all walks of life, but most laypeople are unaware that there has not always been sex. Sex, involving gametes of very unequal size (anisogamy) - one large and sessile and one tiny and mobile - evolved from a simpler mating system with two equal, small gametes (isogamy). Why? This book addresses this important question from all angles, empirical to theoretical. Contrasting explanations are argued in clear but rigorous detail, making this book ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate seminars, as well as study by professionals. Plants, with their diversity of present-day mating systems, play a major role in the book which will help to broaden student's perspectives by showing that interesting biology is not restricted to animals!' Brent D. Mishler, University of California, Berkeley

'The origin of sex was a key innovation in the evolution of eukaryotes. It was followed by an equally important key innovation, the origin of anisogamy, the functional differentiation of gametes into two types (male and female). This fundamental evolutionary phenomenon is treated in this book. Whereas there is a large body of literature on sex, anisogamy has found less attention. This fine volume is a collection of theoretical papers on essential aspects of anisogamy and sexual selection written by outstanding biologists. The introductory chapter gives a first glimpse into the fascinating history of the discovery of the evolution of anisogamy based on a wide array of clever biological questions.' Peter K. Endress, University of Zurich