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namestaken's review
4.0
Repetitive throughout with dated language, of course; however, the content was as fascinating today as it was at the time that his theories were groundbreaking. Altogether a wonderful exploration of the natural world.
shadybanana's review
4.0
The fact that this book is so often misquoted and misinterpreted to explain a more vague and delusional concept of evolution than what Darwin presented, saddens me.
Its a pity how things can be blown out of proportion.
Its a pity how things can be blown out of proportion.
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book I've been meaning to read for a while, so I'm glad I've finally read and finished it. It was fascinating to read.
psyckers's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting and informative book that outlines the various scientific challenges Charles Darwin explained and how it is being applied in today's scientific work.
benedettal's review against another edition
I won’t give this a rating just because it seems weird for this type of book. Reading this just felt like a science lesson. It’s really good in that sense, very easy to follow. Generally though it doesn’t feel particularly enlightening in the sense that we’re all so familiar with this theory that reading Darwin’s defence is basically redundant. And it’s very dry.
kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
5.0
"We are the one creature to whom natural selection has bequeathed a brain complex enough to comprehend the laws that govern the universe. And we should be proud that we are the only species that has figured out how we came to be." ~Jerry A. Coyne, Ph.D., University of Chicago
On the Origin of Species is Darwin laying out his theory of natural selection in precise, laborious detail. He knew quite well many of the objections and arguments this supposition would invoke and he counters every anticipated antagonism with a barrage of evidence gained from detailed observation and/or astute experimentation.
The idea that plant and animal species evolved from common ancestry was an affront to 1859 sensibilities and the courage required to challenge widespread, ingrained superstition and misinformation must have been enormous. And yet, here it is. The imperfect but substantial cornerstone of biology, biochemistry, psychology, genetics, anthropology, neurology, primatology, embryology... the list is immense.
"Whoever is led to believe that species are mutable will do good service by conscientiously expressing his conviction; for only thus can the load of prejudice by which this subject is overwhelmed be removed." ~Charles Darwin, 1859
On the Origin of Species is Darwin laying out his theory of natural selection in precise, laborious detail. He knew quite well many of the objections and arguments this supposition would invoke and he counters every anticipated antagonism with a barrage of evidence gained from detailed observation and/or astute experimentation.
The idea that plant and animal species evolved from common ancestry was an affront to 1859 sensibilities and the courage required to challenge widespread, ingrained superstition and misinformation must have been enormous. And yet, here it is. The imperfect but substantial cornerstone of biology, biochemistry, psychology, genetics, anthropology, neurology, primatology, embryology... the list is immense.
"Whoever is led to believe that species are mutable will do good service by conscientiously expressing his conviction; for only thus can the load of prejudice by which this subject is overwhelmed be removed." ~Charles Darwin, 1859