The Origin of Species - Paperback

by Charles Darwin (Author)

Large Trade Paperback Edition of the Original and Unabridged Version of The Origin of Species.

Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species transformed the western world. Published in 1859, Darwin's book is considered the foundation of modern evolutionary biology. Although many of the theories contained in his work were previously explored by other authors, Darwin, for the first time, constructed a comprehensive theory on the subject of natural selection and its effect on the world's species. The book was written for non-specialized audiences which made it a wide spread success. Mr. Darwin's existing reputation as an esteemed naturalist gave this new theory a gravity that required serious consideration by observers. The implications of the work on religion as well as biology lead to spirited debate on Darwin's conclusions. Initially, the reaction to the book was hostile, but, by the 1870s, "Darwinism" was the accepted understanding of how life on earth became diverse.

Although the majority of the work makes no mention of the application of the theory to humans, critics decried the "men from monkeys" conclusions that followed from The Origin of Species. Some religious leaders denounced the possibility of a lack of design in the universe, while others took a more moderate view that Darwin's theory offered only the modus operandi of the prime mover.

Regardless of one's view of this book, the influence of Darwin's work is undisputed. It is presented in this edition in its original form.

This trade paperback edition of The Origin of Species contains the original and unabridged version of Charles Darwin's greatest work. The cover features a facsimile of "Darwin's Finches" as originally drawn in a handsome binding that will look great on any shelf.

Author Biography

Charles Darwin was born in 1809 in Shropshire England to wealthy parents, the sixth of seven children. Although his family was Unitarian, Charles was baptized and educated in the Anglican Church.

He began college at the University of Edinburgh medical school to train in his father's profession, but became bored with the dull lectures and found surgery distasteful. While in Edinburgh, he began to take an interest in natural science and shirk his academic responsibilities. His father, after learning of his disinterest in medicine, sent Charles to Cambridge to study the arts, but after finishing his degree, Charles took a position on the HMS Beagle that was to set sail for South America to chart its coastline.

Charles spent his time on the voyage of the Beagle collecting specimens for the ships naturalist, Robert McCormick, but by the time they reached Brazil, McCormick left the ship and Charles' succeeded him. After five years aboard the Beagle, Darwin returned home in 1836 to wide acclaim for his work. His father, no longer disappointed in his son's chosen profession, funded Charles' position as a naturalist which allowed Charles' the financial ability to continue his research.

Charles continued his work in England and developed his theory of natural selection and ultimately published On the Origin of Species in 1859. The work was an immediate success and sold out its first printing. Charles Darwin went on to become a prominent scientist and advocate for the theory of natural selection and evolution until his death in 1882. He was buried beside Sir Isaac Newton and other prominent British scientists in Westminster Abbey.