On the origin of species by Charles Darwin (PDF)

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⭐Charles Darwin’s scientific treatise, On the Origin of Species, originally published in 1859, is clearly one of the most important books ever published in terms of its influence on science, history, and human thought. As is often pointed out, Darwin didn’t invent the concept of evolution; the idea had been around since ancient times. With On the Origin of Species, however, Darwin put forward his theory of natural selection which explained, for the first time in defendable detail, the mechanism by which species adapt and evolve over time. The following review refers to the sixth edition of 1872, which is often considered the definitive edition. It contains numerous revisions by Darwin as well as his responses to critics of his theory.The scientific importance of On the Origin of Species is unquestionable, but how does it hold up as a reading experience? The answer is surprisingly very well. Though the scientific concepts Darwin discusses are complex, with the exception of the Latin names of animals and plants there is nothing arcane or obscure about the vocabulary with which he expresses these ideas. One doesn’t need a PhD in biology to understand this book, only an interest in and a love of nature. Darwin’s logically structured argument is easy to follow and admirable for its ingenuity. While he delves into some very technical research, he also occasionally adds an analogy or metaphor that gives an almost literary flourish to the text, like when he compares the tree of life to a genealogy of human languages or the existence of rudimentary organs to the retention of silent letters in the spelling of words. It is a joy to follow Darwin on his intellectual journey as he constructs the path of his argument.On the Origin of Species is more accessible and engaging than Darwin’s previous well-known work The Voyage of the Beagle, which, despite its elements of adventure memoir was primarily a collection of empirical data. In On the Origin of Species, Darwin combines meticulous observation of nature with theoretical genius. While reading the text, one can’t help but marvel at his encyclopedic knowledge. In addition to having traveled the world observing natural phenomena, he clearly read nearly every work of natural science available to a 19th-century Englishman. He also conducted in-depth research of his own into specific branches of the animal and plant kingdoms. The reader gets a vicarious sense of the thrill of discovery as Darwin relates the results of his experiments, such as counting the seeds in a teaspoon of dirt taken from a duck’s foot, or calculating the length of time seeds of various plants can float in seawater before they lose the ability to germinate.As many are quick to point out, Darwin didn’t get everything right. While he established natural selection as the means by which evolution is achieved, he didn’t have the necessary knowledge to explain the mechanisms that drove natural selection. DNA had not yet been discovered, even Gregor Mendel’s experiments in genetics were largely unknown, and the idea of mutation didn’t materialize until the early 20th century. Rather than lessening the value of his work, however, this makes Darwin’s achievement all the more remarkable. Given the imperfections in the scientific knowledge at his disposal, not to mention the limitations on travel and scholarly communication, the fact that Darwin was able to conceptualize and clarify the complex forces that govern all life on Earth is just staggering. This is the book that truly defines the phrase “a work of genius.” Today we take the theory of evolution for granted, and we all think we know how it works, but there is still much to be learned from reading the original definitive masterwork on the subject.

⭐The full title of this book is “On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of the Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.” In layman’s terms, this book basically laid out the principles by which natural selection occurs. In other words, it offers an explanation for Evolution. On the surface, of course, this “theory” appears contrary to the traditionally-held, right-winged viewpoint of the Christian majority: Creationism. However, Charles Darwin himself believed in God. (Go figure!)One of the reasons Darwin’s book gained favor was probably because of the wording of the title of his book and, more specifically, the inclusion of the phrase, “Favoured Races.” At a time of immense social and economic inequalities, the well off liked believing they were somehow BETTER than others. This book provided “evidence” of how this was so and how the “others” were God-forsaken peoples. (Let’s not even discuss the break from England, the Catholics vs. the Protestants or the separation of church and state!) Then, this “favoured races” is strangely both supported and contradicted by the Constitution of the United States of America in which it states unequivocally that “…all men are CREATED equal.” (Separate but Equal?) In this era in which abolitionism was in its infancy (as well as in current day), people choose which parts they like to believe and which parts to condemn based on what supports them the best. Add to this the atrocities committed in the name of racial superiority (slavery, the holocaust, etc.). Finally, as is the case with racism in general, it becomes easy to assume one is of the “favoured race” and that all others are, therefore, exempt.It’s easy to think all of these issues are in the past. However, every single one of these issues is still relevant today. Darwin, obviously a brilliant naturalist/scientist in his time, continues to be debated today. While many people believe in Evolution (the change of life over time), still others adamantly deny it and insist God created every living thing as it is today (Creationism). Most people conveniently acknowledge the scientific FACT of Evolution, while simultaneously believing that God made it possible by giving life and “creating” life in the first place. What do you believe?

⭐I finally got around to reading this famous scientific work. I have to say that I’m impressed with his clarity, logic, and scientific ability. He’s blessed with a curiosity that is unbounded and the ability to test out all kinds of things using the scientific method.It’s interesting how research worked back in the mid-19th century. He didn’t have Google and even if he did, most scientists back then hadn’t asked the questions he was asking. For example, he wondered how seed could be transported across oceans; he concocted experiments to see if seeds would float in the ocean for a long period of time and still germinate. He also wondered if mud on birds feet would contain seeds; so he captured some birds and checked out the mud on their feet. There are many other examples where he did this sort of thing.He also structured this book to answer all of the possible criticisms to his theories and did a very good job. He effectively cited the work of other scientists. I found this book a joy to read and see how the mind of a great scientist works. It’s refreshing to see a scientist go against the consensus and powerfully support his radical new theory.This book is highly recommended for everyone. It is eminently readable and convincing.This book is controversial since there are many people that feel it is anti-God. I don’t think so; to me, it simply shows that God did not create each and every species from ‘nothing’. God is more like a farmer than a conjurer. I would think that the amazing versatility of life and its ability to adapt shows something that seems hard to imagine coming together by mere chance.

⭐I have read about 175+ books in last two years and not exaggerating that almost every tenth book mentions either Darwin’s theory or the book in question one way or the other. So much so that I was very curious for almost last two years to pick it up myself and read what actually he had written way back in 1859. I was shocked the way it gets mention not only in Non Fiction (mostly), but also in Fiction and even in a love story (Imagine it gets mentioned in a Jojo Moyes book too). But when I read Yuval Noah Harari’s (Sapiens) and followed it with a book written way back in 60’s about a court case where they debated over Bible Vs Darwin, it was simply too much for me to resist it anymore :). And then, my favorite Dan Brown came out with his new book called “Origin” exploring “Where do we come from” and “Where are we going”. Curiosity actually killed the cat and I picked it up some 15 days ago, mind it, it isn’t an easy read like any other book but way too interesting. Specially if you have any interest in “Origin”, History, Geography, Biology and even Science, this is a must must read. Even if those subjects do not interest someone, it can be read for its literary merit too, I totally loved it. Although after reading I can claim that this book is actually a summary of his findings and these 700 pages are way too short to explain everything, going by his writing I am doubly sure that the actual theory must not be any less than 10000 pages for sure as he mentioned at so many places that he wasn’t going in great details due to space constraints. On top of it, his findings weren’t finished by the time he started writing this and as his health wasn’t too good, his good friends and colleagues forced him to come out with this. Unbelievable that is to know and surprising is the entire book.I had no idea before reading the book that what I was getting into, this isn’t just a book or a theory given by the great Charles Darwin but an encyclopedia of knowledge about the origin of life on planet earth. How everything came to be and moved from one place to another, mind-blowing is his research, theory and conclusions which he kept open to debate with people and imagine even after 150 years, we are still debating on it. I just couldn’t imagine what kind of Lab he must have at that time and how far and wide he must have traveled to gather the data he has put in his theory, unbelievable. Another fantastic thing about Darwin was, not once he was afraid of giving credit to so many of his colleagues, eminent scientists and professors as he kept mentioning their names with what they thought and how it helped him to come to the conclusions that he had drawn, simply too good. Starting from the bacteria’s to germs to insects, birds, animals, humans and even dinosaurs, he hasn’t left anything which doesn’t gets a detailed mention in this book. I really wonder how deep and terrific would be his actual detailed findings which may not be available for us lesser mortals but the scientific community must have access to those works. Although those details may not make any sense to us unscientific and god fearing people, but he was always open to other parallel theories too and never made fun of them.The way it covers the Human Origin timeline and the life on planet earth is just superb. Darwin was sure that no one can predict the exact time how long life has been here on this planet (at that time). The way he calculates the life as well as what data do we have in our hands as of now a mere negligible that we haven’t yet explored an iota of what is actually there on this planet is simply mind-blowing and convincing too. This will now be one book that I am going to force every teenager that I know to read without fail, more than for sure Blyton’s and Dahl’s. Its an amazing encyclopedia that everyone should read. I am glad and sad both to have read a Kindle version of the book. Glad that I could actually access the meanings immediately by tapping on the terms that I had never previously heard and sad that it didn’t had any of the diagrams that he made which should be available on a paperback :(. Also, now, I guess I have to go ahead and read Yuval Noah Harari’s “Homo Deus” which takes it all to couple of steps ahead where Darwin left it. Surprisingly when I bought this book (almost a year ago) it was absolutely free on Amazon (for Kindle).If you have read this, do let me know how you like it, if not, you’ve got to read this without fail. This will now-onward be one of my all time favorite Non-Fiction for sure. A very highly recommended back for all.

⭐Book is very good even its content is too good. At some place it is little bit confusing but not a big headache because it is too basic and can be understand if you go ahead or by using google. Very knowledgeable book should be read by everyone. 1 star is because of condition of book. Why seller or amazon give me a pathetic condition book.Happy with book content, disappoint with condition of book. Seller was uRead-Store.

⭐Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species, in which he writes of his theories of evolution by natural selection, is one of the most important works of scientific study ever published.This unabridged edition also includes a rich selection of primary source material: substantial selections from Darwin’s other works (Autobiography, notebooks, letters, Voyage of the Beagle, and The Descent of Man) and selections from Darwin’s sources and contemporaries (excerpts from Genesis, Paley, Lamarck, Spencer, Lyell, Malthus, Huxley, and Wallace).

⭐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.

⭐What a brilliant book. I’m halfway through and enjoying every minute. Darwin’s introduction in the bok is inspiring and insightful. Thanks to the producers of this book and to Amazon who kindly gave it to us for free.

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