Book Notes: Darwin’s Origin of Species: A Biography
Darwin’s Origin of Species: A Biography
Janet Browne
320 pages. Atlantic Monthly Press, 2007. $21
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Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species is one of the most influential science books ever written. When it was published in 1859, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, to cite it’s complete name, revolutionized the world. While it did not lead to overnight changes in thinking, its effect was immediate, causing wide reactions in the English-speaking world, at first, then the entire world. It questioned the primacy of mankind, and the possibility that a god could have created humans, and this, in conjunction with the Victorian period that saw its birth, led to far-reaching discussions and debates, some of which continue to this day.Janet Browne, the foremost biographer of Darwin (her biography of Darwin is in two volumes: Voyaging and The Power of Place. In this brief book, Browne outlines the history of Origin of Species, from its genesis to publication, its reception to legacy. She gives an overview of Darwin’s life, discusses how he wrote the book (and what influence he had from others–the concept of evolution had been in the air for a while), and how it was received. She examines the many debates that occurred in Darwin’s lifetime, then goes on to explain how Darwin’s ideas were adopted, skewed, and refined over the century and a half since the book was published.
Most of the book is interesting, and those people who don’t know much about Darwin would do well to read this book to learn the context for his ideas. However, the final chapter, Legacy, is little more than a series of lists of names: those scientists who followed in Darwin’s footsteps, others who perverted his ideas, and finally the place of Darwinism today. The book goes into detail neither about Darwin’s life or the idea of evolution, but nevertheless gives enough of an overview of both for readers to better grasp just how revolutionary his ideas were, and how they have developed into–in spite of what some religious zealots say–a proven theory about the evolution of life.
Posted: 4/16/2007 by kirk | Filed under: Books | 3 Comments »
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Dear Kirk,
Love your blog and books! But I have to say that I was a little disappointed
with your last entry.
Calling people who have doubts about the Theory of Evolution by Natural
Selection as expalined by Darwin religious zealots is a little short sighted if I
may say so.
There are many world renowned scientists and even Noble prize winners who
doubt the Theory.
Read a little more, speak to scientists! You’ll find that it’s far from a proven
fact.
Darwin and Dawkins are not free from the scutiny of their peers. Read the
journals. You’ll be surprised.
Thanks for the great blog again and keep on writing the good books.
Carlo
Well, first, unless you are a proponent of intelligent design, you will find it hard
to dig up serious scientists who doubt evolution. You can hit me with the ID
talking points all you want, but the evidence is there.
Second, it is only religious zealots who are contesting evolution, and only
because their religion tells them it is wrong. However, even the Vatican supports
evolution, so it’s not like all religions are against it.
I agree, however, with your right to have your opinion and disagree. :-)
Kirk
Hi Kirk,
In response to the comments of your review.
Science has come a long way since Darwin, and the evidence Darwin hoped would be discovered to prove his theory has not materialized. His theory holds true in relating the change over a period of time in a species due to various conditions … better know as variation within a species. What his theory fails to prove is the evolution of one species into another. He hoped future fossil discoveries would prove he could extend his ideas and evidence about variation within a species to the evolution of species, but as of yet the scientific evidence has not been able to prove this. In fact, fossil findings are one of the biggest evidences against his theory … mainly due to the Cambrian explosion findings. These fossils represent many species (simple and complex) appearing at a geological similar time.
Likewise new technology has proven the brilliance of the inner workings of the cell … which in Darwin’s day was impossible to visualize or comprehend.
Another science based present day fact that puts further question into the relevancy of Darwin’s theory, is the age of the universe itself. Science now calculates its’ age to be approx. 14.5 billion years old … which is a mathematically impossible time frame for life to evolve according to Darwin’s theory.
Putting Darwin’s theory of natural selection up against its’ own measure may in fact lead it into extinction.
David Sears
… and yes I’m Christian, but for the sake of argument have only posted scientific evidence. If you are open to different views about cosmology … you may find interesting a book by Hugh Ross called "A Matter of Days". It’s written by a scientist (who became a Christian), but with an honest view of the way the church and science has struggled to comprehend the world we live in and the universe around us. can be found here:
http://reasons.org