The Origin Of Species – 150th Anniversary Edition
The Origin Of Species 150th Anniversary Edition
The book that shook the world
First time from Signet Classic
This is the book that revolutionized the natural sciences and every literary, philosophical and religious thinker who followed. Darwin's theory of evolution and the descent of man remains as controversial and influential today as when it was published over a century ago.
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Origin of the Species
Difficult going for a non-biologist. But well worth the effort. Provides excellent insight into the depth of Darwin's study and research, and his analysis of the theory.
5 Stars Ignorance is bliss for some.
Not one creationist has posted a single fact, which refutes Darwin's thesis. This is either because they have not read it entirely, or, more probably, don't understand it. Darwin is no stranger to controversy, as he lived in Victorian era England, but this is 2009! I like this book because, not just because of its shear infuence, but because it has withstood the test of time (150 years, and counting). Does anyone doubt Newton's Laws or the findings of Galileo? No, because no one has proved them wrong. Save yourself the time and money, read this book instead of Dawkins' or Gould's. This is the original work. It does not need to be improved upon.
5 Stars Unexpectedly Enjoyable Read
This text, the subject of so much political and social controversy in the U.S., is actually just a nice read. First, and in surprising contradiction to all the God versus science panic, he presumes an "act of creation," which to me, implies that his theory is based on the idea of a Creator.
Here are a few quotes from Chapter Two in which he discusses acts of creation:
[..]
No one definition has satisfied all naturalists; yet every naturalist knows vaguely what he means when he speaks of a species. Generally the term includes the unknown element of a distinct act of creation.
The term species thus comes to be a mere useless abstraction, implying and assuming a separate act of creation.
On the other hand, if we look at each species as a special act of creation, there is no apparent reason why more varieties should occur in a group having many species, than in one having few.
He then spends considerable time discussing and thinking about the anomalies in domesticated animals. The domesticated duck, for example, has larger leg bones and smaller wing bones, which he attributes to more time spent walking and less spent flying. He notes that many domesticated animals develop, over numerous generations floppy ears, which he speculates is to due to loss of musculature from attention to potential dangers — a skill domesticated, human-protected animals no longer require.
There are anomalies among domesticated animals because in his day, there was a theory that left without interference from breeders, animals would "revert" to their "pure" … presumably original created forms. Of course, Darwin observes that this isn't true and that one can observe that a continuation of development of various different attributes is normal.
This book is a delightful read because as Darwin wonders why the animals and plants grow, procreate and develop as they do, it is easy to follow the natural curiosity of his mind.
He obviously spent considerable time with people who specialized in breeding animals and those who modified plant types to improve their strength, color, taste, size, etc.
Following all this discussion on domestication, he then ventures into a discussion about the need for an external source for reproduction and concludes that while some species of plants and worms can breed themselves, they can not do so indefinitely and will require another specimen to breed with to ensure the strength of the offspring. Of course, today, we understand clearly the genetic drawbacks of inbreeding, but Darwin was exploring the concepts and coming to, obviously, very solid conclusions.
He talks about the success of animals and plants that are non-Native to a given area and the potential to disrupt the lives of native plants and animals in the area immigrated to.
I don't think this is necessarily a book just for scientists and academicians, this is a great read if you just want to pass a rainy weekend in contemplation of the world we live in.
5 Stars A science classic
For anyone interested in the progress of science and civilisation, this book is one of the essential classics. Not only does it lay the foundations of modern biology, it is a rare example of how scientific writing should be done.
Darwin anticipated a strong reaction to his ideas and their implications, so he took great care to write his book with exemplary clarity and self discipline. With great humility, he presents the culmination of his life's work. He looks at the objections at each step, and treats them with respect and grace as he counters them. A respect that he never received from his opponents. He never claimed to have the full and final picture, but laid a solid foundation in the way Newton did for physics.
Even forgetting the brilliance of the central insight, as an example of a thorough, clear, and reasoned scientific thesis, it would be hard to find better.
This book is a living part of our history and heritage. It's importance to our future is incalculable, as it teaches us that we are all related to each other and to all life on Earth. What better reason to start treating all of our fellow creatures with a little more compassion.
Among the modern industrialized countries, there is generally little "controversy" about Darwin's ideas (there will still be a few Flat-Earthers anywhere). The general principles of evolution have been accepted for many decades by more than 90% of the population in most developed countries. Only in America is the idea still controversial on a significant scale. Perhaps this needs more focus in the education system.
3 Stars Not for the average reader
I bought this work because the insert said it was readable by the common reader with little or no scientific background. While I dont deny Darwin's work has influenced generations of scientists this is a difficult book to comprehend for the average reader.
The prose is filled with scientific jargon that can bog down the reader; also it was written in the mid-19th century so its prose may alienate readers looking for a more contemporary style narrative.
Still worth a look for its historical value alone. I would strongly recommend it to anyone with an interest in evolution.
Related posts:
- On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection – Dover Thrift Editions
- 150-Year Anniversary of Origin of the Species: Special Edition of Origin of the Species to Be Given Away in Schools
- Origin of Species – Was Darwin Right?
- On the Origin of Species – The Illustrated Edition
- PRESS RELEASE: Special Origin of Species to be Given Away in Schools
- From So Simple a Beginning – Darwins Four Great Books
- The Selfish Gene – 30th Anniversary Edition
- A New Dinosaur Species Discovered in South Africa
- The Greatest Show on Earth – The Evidence for Evolution
- The Reluctant Mr Darwin – An Intimate Portrait of Charles Darwin and the Making of His Theory of Evolution Great Discoveries
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