Darwin's Origin of Species - (Books That Changed the World) by Janet Browne (Paperback)

About the Book

In her illuminating history of "On the Origin of Species," Browne, Charles Darwins foremost biographer, shows why it can fairly claim to be the greatest science book ever published. What emerges is a vivid and accessible introduction to the book that permanently altered our understanding of what it is to be human.

Book Synopsis

Charles Darwin's foremost biographer, Janet Browne, delivers a vivid and accessible introduction to the book that permanently altered our understanding of what it is to be human. A sensation on its publication in 1859, The Origin of the Species profoundly shocked Victorian readers by calling into question the belief in a Creator with its description of evolution through natural selection. And Darwin's seminal work is nearly as controversial today. In her illuminating study, Browne delves into the long genesis of Darwin's theories, from his readings as a university student and his five-year voyage on the Beagle, to his debates with contemporaries and experiments in his garden. She explores the shock to Darwin when he read of competing scientist's similar discoveries and the wide and immediate impact of Darwin's theories on the world. As one of the launch titles in Atlantic Monthly Press' "Books That Changed the World" series, Browne's history takes readers inside The Origin of the Species and shows why it can fairly claim to be the greatest science book ever published.

Review Quotes

"Browne shows great respect for the purity of Darwin's intellectual, moral, and spiritual endeavors. She believes in, and conveys, the lasting power of his legacy--to science and to human culture."

"Browne takes a straightforward approach to the life and times of this famous tome. . . . This excellent introduction is highly recommended for all readers who want to better understand the heated debates that this book still causes today."

"Clear and artful. It reads like a compelling mystery; indeed it draws us into the compelling mystery of speculation that captivated Darwin."