2009 marked the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. In his landmark study, Darwin theorised that populations evolve over the course of generations through a process of natural selection. These ideas flew in the face of long-held beliefs and the book immediately became one of the most controversial scientific works in history – and it still remains so today.
Now, for the first time, Darwin's classic is fully and handsomely illustrated with over 350 illustrations and photographs, many of them in brilliant colour. Reproductions from Darwin's "The Voyage of the Beagle, appear throughout in addition to brief excerpts from his letters, diaries and correspondence – bringing both Darwin the man and his revolutionary discovery to life.
David Quammen is an award-winning science, nature and travel writer whose work has appeared in publications such as National Geographic, Harper's, Rolling Stone and the New York Times Book Review. He is a Rhodes Scholar and has also garnered a Guggenheim Fellowship, as well as winning the John Burroughs Medal for nature writing. He has also written several other books.
"The most influential book in science gets a face-lift with some amazing graphics and Quammen's erudite editing."
– Library Journal (The Best Sci-Tech books of 2008)
"The perfect way to become acquainted with the authentic voice of the greatest biologist of all time, in a context provided by one of the finest scientific writers of today."
– Gregory A. Petsko, European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Journal