Charles Darwin and The Origin of Species (Greenwood Guides to Historic Events 1500-1900)
By addebook • Jun 28th, 2008 • Category: Biology
Charles Darwin and The Origin of Species (Greenwood Guides to Historic Events 1500-1900)
Charles Darwin and The Origin of Species (Greenwood Guides to Historic Events 1500-1900)
By Keith A. Francis
Publisher: Greenwood Press
Number Of Pages: 232
Publication Date: 2006-12-30
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0313317488
ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780313317484
Binding: Hardcover
In 1859, an amateur British naturalist published a book of findings that shook the scientific community to its core and changed the structure of religion and science as we know them. The Origin of Species challenged the popular belief that species could not evolve and argued that species can adapt to their environment and develop accordingly. Although other scientists had observed some of the phenomena that Charles Darwin addressed, he was the first to theorize that natural selection, and later, evolution, were viable explanations for the origins of life. the implications of Darwin’s findings still reverberate today, in the classroom, in the courtroom, and at the highest legislative levels. Lively thematic chapters explore how Darwin came to the conclusions published in The Origin of Species–and in later works such as The Descent of Man–from his early years at Cambridge, to his observations of species on the HMS Beagle voyages, through the 20 years of research that culminated in Origin. Also included is an insightful discussion of Darwin’s impact as it is felt today, from movies and popular culture to the current Intelligent Design controversy. Biographies of influential figures, primary source letters and selections from Origin, a glossary of terms, and an extensive annotated bibliography round out this accessible work.
Summary: Interesting approach to major thinkers
Rating: 4
Keith Francis’ “Charles Darwin and The Origin of Species” is part of an interesting series published by Greenwood Press. The “Series Foreword” states that vii): “This series, Greenwood Guides to Historic Events, 1500-1900, is designed to illumionate that path by focusing on events from 1500 to 1900 that have shaped the world.” The series is designed for advanced high school and lower level college students. It would also be of interest to those in the larger public who are curious about major figures/events from 1500-1900.
And a work on Darwin certainly would fit into such a series. The Preface says that (xii): “Charles Darwin is one of the great minds of the last five hundred years because his work transformed the way humans think about themselves.”
As with other books in the series, several themes are discussed. The introductory chapter examines the impact of Darwin’s work. The second chapter explores Darwin’s life, from birth to death (albeit briefly). Chapter three looks at his major book, “The Origin of Species,” the work itself and its background (including those who had laid the groundwork for Darwin’s theory, with his emphasis on natural selection as the mechanism driving evolutionary change). Chapter 4 has a nice discussion of the reception of Darwin’s work from 1859 through 1920, followed by a chapter titled “Darwin, Darwinism, and Evolution in the Twentieth Century.” Fianlly, a concluding chapter rflects on Darwin and his legacy.
Other useful features of this volume are brief biographical sketches of people important to Darwin and Darwinian theory, key documents related to Darwin and his works,a glossary, and an annotated bibliography.
This is not a detailed work; it is not a sophisticated work. However, for those who want a “quick and dirty” introduction to Darwin’s work, this is not a bad place to start.
Free download Links
Related Posts
One Response »
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
It expired. Can you supply it again? Thanks so much!