On the Origin of Species The Science Classic

A new, deluxe hardcover edition of one of the most important scientific works ever written

In December 1831, Charles Darwin boarded the HMS Beagle, accompanying her crew on a five-year journey that crossed the Atlantic Ocean to survey the coasts of South America. As the expedition’s geologist and naturalist, Darwin collected evidence from the Galapagos Islands and other locations which prompted him to speculate that species evolve over generations through a process of natural selection. In 1859, Darwin published On the Origin of Species, a work of scientific literature considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. His revolutionary work presented evidence from the Beagle expedition as well as from years of subsequent research and experimentation. 

Written for non-specialists, Darwin’s book gained widespread interest from the scientific community, religious leaders, politicians and the general public. The theory Darwin presented in his book quickly became the subject of heated debate and discussion. Now accepted by the scientific community, Darwin’s concepts of evolutionary adaptation via natural selection are central to modern evolutionary theory and form the foundation of modern life sciences. Perhaps the most transformative scientific volume ever published, this volume of the first edition of On the Origin of Species:

• Outlines Darwin’s ideas, scientific influences and the core of his theory
• Details natural selection and address possible objections to the theory
• Examines the fossil record and biogeography to support evolutionary adaptation
• Features a "Recapitulation and Conclusion" which reviews key concepts and considers the future relevance of Darwin’s theory

On the Origin of Species: The Science Classic is an important addition to the bestselling Capstone Classics series edited by Tom Butler-Bowdon. It includes an insightful Introduction from leading Darwin scholar Dr John van Wyhe of the University of Singapore, which presents new research and an offers an original perspective on Darwin and his famous work.

This high-quality, hardcover volume is a must-have for readers interested in science and scientific literature, particularly evolutionary theory and life sciences.

Charles Darwin was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist. He is best known for his work in evolutionary science and for his immense contribution to knowledge of life on Earth. His revolutionary On the Origin of Species introduced the concept of "natural selection" as the basic mechanism of evolution, and is viewed as one of the most influential works of scientific literature ever written.

John van Wyhe is a historian of science at the National University of Singapore, specialising in Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. He is the founder and Director of Darwin Online (http://darwin-online.org.uk/). Dr van Wyhe has published eleven books and lectures and broadcasts around the world.

Tom Butler-Bowdon is series editor for the Capstone Classics series. He has written Introductions for Capstone editions of Plato's The Republic, Machiavelli's The Prince, Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations, Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, and Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich. Tom is the author of the 50 Classics series and is a graduate of the London School of Economics and the University of Sydney. www.Butler-Bowdon.com

An Introduction by John van Wyhe vii

About John van Wyhe xxv

About Tom Butler-Bowdon xxv

On the Origin of Species 1