The Origin of Species - Charles Darwin

Synopsis: 

"Darwin's theory of natural selection issued a profound challenge to orthodox thought and belief: no being or species has been specifically created; all are locked into a pitiless struggle for existence, with extinction looming for those not fitted for the task. 

Yet The Origin of Species (1859) is also a humane and inspirational vision of ecological interrelatedness, revealing the complex mutual interdependencies between animal and plant life, climate and physical environment, and - by implication - within the human world. 
Written for the general reader, in a style which combines the rigour of science with the subtlety of literature, The Origin of Species remains one of the founding documents of the modern age."


Aside from fiction books I particularly enjoy non-fiction science books. I purchased this old 3rd edition copy of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin on Ebay for an absolute steal. 

It took a little courage to pick it up and give it a read considering it's reputation for not being an easy read due to the time in which it was written. 

As expected it was very heavy going. It is written in very long sentences with difficult language in many places. The book is often repetitive as it is written in a more essay style than a book. I had to try quite hard to keep my concentration and not end up skim reading. 

The book however, was the first of its kind and is the first evidence of the theory of evolution. Charles Darwin was an exceptional man and I am very happy I stuck this one out and completed it. To have read his very work. 

I would recommend if you are interested in natural history or the theory of evolution and fancy a challenge. 



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