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The Darwin Reader

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"Here is Darwin in his own words, at once accessible and profound, ranging widely over many problems that fascinated him and through which he made discoveries that changed the world." ―From the First Edition For this new edition of selected key passages from Darwin's nine most important books, Mark Ridley has added several elements. A new preface focuses on how Darwin's revolutionary writings can be best understood by modern readers, especially college students. The introduction and notes for each selection have also been revised, based on the latest Darwin scholarship. Finally, the bibliography has been updated, substantially expanded, and annotated to provide students with helpful hints on where to look for more information on Darwin as well as on modern interpretations of evolution.

315 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1987

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About the author

Charles Darwin

2,393 books3,437 followers
Charles Robert Darwin of Britain revolutionized the study of biology with his theory, based on natural selection; his most famous works include On the Origin of Species (1859) and The Descent of Man (1871).

Chiefly Asa Gray of America advocated his theories.

Works of Jacques Martin Barzun include Darwin, Marx, Wagner (1941).

Charles Robert Darwin, an eminent English collector and geologist, proposed and provided scientific evidence of common ancestors for all life over time through the process that he called. The scientific community and the public in his lifetime accepted the facts that occur and then in the 1930s widely came to see the primary explanation of the process that now forms modernity. In modified form, the foundational scientific discovery of Darwin provides a unifying logical explanation for the diversity of life.

Darwin developed his interest in history and medicine at Edinburgh University and then theology at Cambridge. His five-year voyage on the Beagle established him as a geologist, whose observations and supported uniformitarian ideas of Charles Lyell, and publication of his journal made him as a popular author. Darwin collected wildlife and fossils on the voyage, but their geographical distribution puzzled him, who investigated the transmutation and conceived idea in 1838. He discussed his ideas but needed time for extensive research despite priority of geology. He wrote in 1858, when Alfred Russel Wallace sent him an essay, which described the same idea, prompting immediate joint publication.

His book of 1859 commonly established the dominant scientific explanation of diversification in nature. He examined human sexuality in Selection in Relation to Sex , and The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals followed. A series of books published his research on plants, and he finally examined effect of earthworms on soil.

A state funeral recognized Darwin in recognition of preeminence and only four other non-royal personages of the United Kingdom of the 19th century; people buried his body in Westminster abbey, close to those of John Herschel and Isaac Newton.

Her fathered Francis Darwin, astronomer George Darwin, and politician, economist and eugenicist Leonard Darwin.

(Arabic: تشارلز داروين)

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February 27, 2017
it was a very good book talked mostly about his adventures and the different types of animals and the evolutionary aspects of those animals he found.
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March 5, 2009
I found this at Comstock's Bindery in Auburn, WA and I am super excited to read it - more updates to come!
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January 8, 2014
Made my understanding of Darwin's theories very clear. Great explanations and highlights.
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