"...There is an excellent introduction to set the stage and a glossary to help with the terms.... All serious
students of biology should read this booK."
--The Science Teacher
Oxford University Press Web Site, May, 2000
Summary
In The Origin of Species (1859) Darwin challenged many of the most deeply-held beliefs of the Western world.
Arguing for a material, not divine, origin of species, he showed that new species are achieved by "natural
selection." The Origin communicates the enthusiasm of original thinking in an open, descriptive style, and
Darwin's emphasis on the value of diversity speaks more strongly now than ever. As well as a stimulating introduction
and detailed notes, this edition offers a register of the many writers referred to by Darwin in the text.
