The Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man with Remarks on Theories of the Origin of Species by Variation

by Charles Lyell

It's impossible to overstate the significance of this classic of scientific literature. A necessary companion to Darwin's The Origin of Species, it springs from the ingenious mind of one of his closest friends, geologist Charles Lyell, whose theories were a critical influence on Darwin's landmark work. First published in 1863, this exploration of the implications of Darwin's "natural selection" for humans remains one of the clearest, most concise explanations of a foundational branch of modern biology. Eminently insightful, the books sings with a scientific poeticism -- chapter sections have such titles as: . "Works of Art in Danish Peat-Mosses" . "Curiosity awakened by the systematic Exploration of the Brixham Cave" . "Two Species of Elephant and Hippopotamus coexisting with Man in France" . "Extinct Mammalia in the Valley of the Oise" Readers in the sciences are sure to find this essential book a highly engaging one as well. Scottish geologist and natural philosopher SIR CHARLES LYELL (1797-1875) was one of the foremost popularizers of science of his time, and the fundamental scientific concepts he developed continue to shape geology and evolutionary biology today. He also wrote the multivolume Principles of Geology: An Attempt to Explain the Former Changes of the Earth's Surface by Reference to Causes Now in Operation. Craters on Mars and the Moon are named in his honor.

Genres: Geology, Nonfiction, History, Science

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1863

About the author

Sir Charles Lyell, 1st Baronet, FRS was a Scottish geologist who popularised the revolutionary work of James Hutton. He is best known as the author of Principles of Geology, which presented uniformitarianism–the idea that the Earth was shaped by the same scientific processes still in operation today–to the broad general public. He was an influence on the young Charles Darwin.

His scientific contributions included an explanation of earthquakes, the theory of gradual "backed up-building" of volcanoes, and in stratigraphy the division of the Tertiary period into the Pliocene, Miocene, and Eocene. He also coined the currently-used names for geological eras, Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic.

Reviews

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 19th century English were such shitty writers. But they science kinda nutty tho

[Matthew Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Principles of Geology, some parts of this book are undeniably tedious. Lyell was a geologist and a surveyor to the core, the man could measure sediments and slopes for days without the slightest hint of boredom. That being said, we’re incredibly fortunate to have had such intelligent individuals devote their lives to this kind of primary research.

I’d recommend this to anyone who fancies themselves capable of tackling the “big questions” over a quick pint. Reading works like this makes you appreciate how little is left to speculation and how meticulous the study truly was, and it’s only gotten more so since.

The book really comes into its own in the last hundred pages: important work, brilliantly concluded. Stick with it, the payoff is worth the patience.