Darwin for Beginners - by Jonathan Miller & Borin Van Loon (Paperback)

About the Book

"Darwin for Beginners" takes readers through the upheaval in biological thought that made "The Origin of Species" possible and introduces Charles Darwin--the timid, antisocial, semi-invalid who was wracked with fear of controversy as he undermined belief in God-the-creator.

Book Synopsis

The Beginner Books -- "Their cartoon format and irreverent wit make difficult ideas accessible and entertaining."

-- Newsday

aking us through the upheavals in biological thought which made The Origins of Species possible, Jonathan Miller introduces us to that odd revolutionary, Charles Darwin -- a remarkably timid man who spent most of his life in seclusion; a semi-invalid riddled with doubts, fearing the controversy his theories might unleash; yet also the man who finally undermined belief in God's creation. Along the way we meet a fascinating cast of characters: Darwin's scientific predecessors, his contemporaries (including Alfred Russell Wallace, whose anticipation of natural selection forced Darwin to publish), his opponents, and his successors whose work in modern genetics provided necessary modifications to Darwin's own work.

Splendidly illustrated, this clever, witty, highly informative book is the perfect introduction to Darwin's life and thought.

About the Author

Author Sir JONATHAN MILLER is an English physician, who came to prominence in the 1950s as a specialist in neurology, but transitioned to acting in a comedy revue (Beyond the Fringe) in the 1960s. He began directing operas in the 1970s for the National Theatre and later ran the Old Vic Theatre. He wrote/presented more than a dozen BBC documentaries, and is known as a TV personality/public intellectual throughout Britain and the United States.

BORIN VAN LOON is a British illustrator and comic book artist, best known for his illustrations for the Introducing... series of graphic books on complex subjects. He is an author, collagist, and surrealist painter, and has worked for a wide variety of clients in editorial, publishing and promotion. He has created an eclectic collage/cartoon mural on the subject of DNA and genetics for the Health Matters Gallery in London's Science Museum.