Publisher's Synopsis
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.
