Darwin: A Very Short IntroductionDarwin's theory that our ancestors were apes caused a furore in the scientific world and outside it when The Origin of Species was published in 1859. Arguments still rage about the implications of his evolutionary theory, and scepticism about the value of Darwin's contribution to knowledge is widespread. In this analysis of Darwin's major insights and arguments, Jonathan Howard reasserts the importance of Darwin's work for the development of modern biology. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
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adaptive change Alfred Russel Wallace animals and plants argument artificial selection Beagle voyage behaviour biological evolution breed cause characters Charles Darwin classification complex concept consequence continuity creation Darwin Industry Darwin’s theory Darwinian Descent discontinuities distinct divergence earth edited environment evidence evolution by natural evolutionary biology evolutionary change evolutionary process evolved existence extinct extreme fact favour fertilization forms fossil record fundamental Galapagos gemmules geological geologist groups of organisms human Huxley hybrid hypothesis idea individual inheritance insectivorous birds insects instinct interaction language living things Lyell males mammals man’s mechanism of evolutionary modification moral natural selection natural theology natural world necessary condition niche notebooks observation obvious oceanic islands Origin of Species pangenesis perfection philosophy physical problem progress reefs reproductive isolation reproductive system scientific seemed sexual reproduction sexual selection social speculative structure T. H. Huxley taxonomic theory of evolution variation varieties Wallace Wallace’s