On the Origin of Species n/e (Oxford World's Classics) Paperback – 13 Nov. 2008

This great work is available in so many formats that choosing which one to buy is itself a challenge. My own priority was to have a reprint of the first edition (it went through six during Darwin's lifetime), in hardback, and as well typeset and printed as can be expected in modern publishing, which often cuts corners and quality. This landmark edition fits the bill and is a beautiful object in itself. It ought to go without saying that the work itself is universally acclaimed as a triumph of the human intellect, but sadly that is not the case. That Darwin's masterpiece is not so acclaimed is largely down to the degrading effects of a certain kind of religious belief, one that celebrates faith and ignorance over reason and evidence and truth. (I was once accosted on a street in south London by a woman who said she could prove Darwin wrong. I checked for signs of Nobel Prize winning science but the bible was all she had.)Most scientists think that accepting evolution doesn't necessarily turn you into an atheist. Many Christians also hold to this view. In  God is Not Great: The Case Against Religion  Christopher Hitchens, not noted for his reluctance to champion the atheist corner, thinks that "symptoms of old-style between-the-lines encoded concealment are to be found throughout the first edition" of the Origin. Famously, the word "evolution" never appears while "creation" crops up all over the place. Was Darwin unsure of his ground and hedging his bets?Hardly. There are indeed many references to creation, and they are all unfriendly! Darwin was not afraid of pitting evolution and creation head to head and seeing which came out on top. Again and again he describes facts about the world that can only be explained by natural selection and not by special creation, and he draws analogies to hammer home the point. As "modern geology has almost banished such views as the excavation of a great valley by a single diluvial wave, so will natural selection, if it be a true principle, banish the belief of the continued creation of new organic beings, or of any great and sudden modification in their structure." Here, Darwin is not only suggesting that we banish belief in creation but is also reminding us that the evidence of geology refutes the literal interpretation of another well-known biblical story.Discussing the clustering of subordinate groups within any class he writes (p. 123): "On the view that each species has been independently created, with all its parts as we now see them, I can see no explanation. But on the view that groups of species have descended from other species, and have been modified through natural selection, I think we can obtain some light."Observing that "nature is prodigal in variety, but niggard in innovation", he asks (pp. 177-78): "Why, on the theory of Creation, should this be so? Why should all the parts and organs of many independent beings, each supposed to have been separately created for its proper place in nature, be so invariably linked together by graduated steps? Why should not Nature have taken a leap from structure to structure? On the theory of natural selection, we can clearly understand why she should not; for natural selection can act only by taking advantage of slight successive variations; she can never take a leap, but must advance by the shortest and slowest steps."There is a widespread calumny against the scientific mind that it has somehow sacrificed all appreciation of beauty in order to arrive at its truths about the world. Feynman could see the beauty of a flower as well as his artist friend, but he could also see a deeper beauty. Darwin too was enthralled by nature: "He must be a dull man who can examine the exquisite structure of a [honey]comb, so beautifully adapted to its end, without enthusiastic admiration." Time and again, after describing some structure or behaviour in the natural world, Darwin asks: "What can be more extraordinary than these well-ascertained facts?"Like Feynman, of course, he doesn't stop there, open mouthed but close minded. He seeks further understanding, from whatever source is available: "We hear from mathematicians that bees have practically solved a recondite problem, and have made their cells of the proper shape to hold the greatest possible amount of honey, with the least possible consumption of precious wax in their construction." And the deepest explanation lies within his own theory: "Beyond this stage of perfection in architecture, natural selection could not lead; for the comb of the hive-bee, as far as we can see, is absolutely perfect in economising wax... that individual swarm which wasted least honey in the secretion of wax, having succeeded best, and having transmitted by inheritance its newly acquired economical instinct to new swarms, which in their turn will have had the best chance of succeeding in the struggle for existence."Darwin was well aware of what we now call confirmation bias, the natural human instinct to pay attention only to what suits our ideas and to ignore what is inconvenient. As a good scientist, he was neither arrogant nor complacent but alert to weaknesses or new ways to test his theory. This may come as a surprise to those who have been taught that evolution cannot be tested: Darwin himself writes that the construction of combs "can be tested by experiment" and describes the results, and today there is a wealth of experimental evidence (see, for example,  The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution ). Later, in discussing insect communities, he focuses on "one special difficulty" that "at first appeared to me insuperable, and actually fatal to my whole theory". The challenge for natural selection was to account for the presence of sterile females, and he was able to provide a convincing account.Despite his reputation for reclusiveness later in life, he corresponded widely and valued the work and opinions of others, and apportioned credit where it was due, all the while not granting any individual absolute authority. "Although fully trusting to the statements of Huber and Mr. Smith, I tried to approach the subject in a sceptical frame of mind, as any one may well be excused for doubting the truth of so extraordinary and odious an instinct as that of making slaves." Contrast this with the passage in Luke where, if we accept its historical truth, Jesus demonstrates his compassion by advising us that there are some slaves who should not be beaten as hard as other slaves. Where are those creationists, or even evolution-believing Christians, who will admit that Darwin trumps Jesus on this moral question?This is a book that anyone willing to work a little can read. No degree in biology is needed. It is rare in science to have such a genuinely groundbreaking work still so accessible to the lay reader. Having said that, even some fans of Darwin confess it hard going in parts, and there is no doubt that most readers will flag over some passages - but it is worth persevering. And, to satisfy your curiosity over Mr Brent and his tumbling Glaswegian pigeons and other obscure references, there is a handy bibliographical register and a glossary at the end.

Classic

Not read it all the way through yet but fascinating so far

This is a book I have always wanted to read but have never had time. Whilst recovering from an operation, I thought it was the perfect time to get into it. Start to finish, it is truly fascinating how much depth Darwin goes into on absolutely everything, a true genius and a must read for everyone.

I lost my previous copy in a house move, so it’s good to have it again in a much more attractive version than my old one.

Indigenous and marooned here a long time ago from far away.

I really enjoyed reading this historical book, about nature, that dates back to 19th Century! My favorite chapter is Chapter 3 - STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE! I understood most of the book, making my own notes and comments in private! Also, another favorite bit is the talk about the modified descendant of the species being better than the ancestors, which can relate to humans, because on one specific detail, my parents smoked and I did not smoke, making me better than the ancestor no offence but this relates to what Charles was on about; I adapted in behaviour, because I don't swear, I don't drop litter, and I don't write grafitti, and I am healthier, doing physical workout, drinking herbal/fruit tea and eating UNbattered Fish Meals instead of Battered Fish and Chips! If this makes me better than other people, so what! It just relates to me being the modified variety descendent to the ancestor species! I am glad I mentioned this! I am being honest! I recommend this book to everyone! I bet Charles Darwin would enjoy people reading his book long after he passed away

Charles Darwin’s On the Origin Species written in the 1850s presents the theory of natural selection in an attempt to explain the complex relations between animals and plants both existing and extinct. Darwin’s theories are formed based on his voyage on the Beagle expedition, later research and correspondence with experts in various fields.The starting chapters introduce the theory of natural selection, explaining why certain species thrive, while others decrease in number, how the members of nature are in competition with each other and why organisms tend to vary and change with time. Much of this work is based on experiments and observations seen within domestic animals and plants.The later chapters defend the theory of natural selection against apparent inconsistencies, why geological records are incomplete, why we find species so widespread and how sterility can be inherited when the organisation is unable to reproduce and more.The book is approachable for any audience, though the language is naturally dated. Having read the book, one can really appreciate the complex relations in the world and the individuals within it. Though the theory of natural selection is easy to accept, many thought provoking difficulties within the book really make it interesting. Well worth reading.

Muito bom esse livro

Dit is niet de echte 'On the Origin of Species Illustrated'. Er zitten zo goed als geen plaatjes in en de illustraties die er wel in zitten (3 maximaal) zijn van zeer slechte kwaliteit. Het boek lijkt simpelweg op een uitvergroting van de tekst van de 200 pagina editie (zonder plaatjes) naar 770 pagina's.Koop dit boek niet.

Charles se caso con su prima.

Easily accessible and good price :P

Very interesting read. It's funny to notice that our modern understanding of this subject is superior to the very guy who created the theory and was at the forefront of his field in his days. He hasn't the slightest clue about the "laws of ihneritance" (that we call genetics today) or notions that any high school student will easily grasp nowadays.Anyway, the way he builds his reasoning to defend his ideas with the limited resources he had is of great value! We can see history unfolding when reading those lines, we can see that it's the kind of scientific progress that was made available after we started exploring the world overseas. If there wasn't a Darwin, probably some other guy would come up with the same conclusions sooner or later, because we started collecting more data about living creatures geographically separated for ages.I recommend reading it while immagining yourself in his skin during his travels. I'm sure he would be very happy to see the progress humanity has achieved in this field.