Introduced by Richard Keynes
No book has revolutionised our view of life on earth more than Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. Yet its enduring popularity is a testament to the immense energy and startling simplicity with which Darwin makes his revelations.
‘One general law, leading to the advancement of all organic beings, namely, multiply, vary, let the strongest live and the weakest die’
When first published in 1859, its central theory – that the natural order was not permanent and unchanging but a gradual process of evolution – met with fierce opposition. How dare any man challenge the concept of divine creation? But the first edition sold out within a day (it has remained in print ever since), its author was declared the most dangerous man in England, and a new era in human thought had begun. The seeds of Darwin’ explosive ideas had planted themselves in his mind when, as a young scientist on a five-year voyage of exploration on board HMS Beagle, he tramped around the tropical forests of Brazil, made sketches of the fossil-packed strata of Patagonia, experienced the geological drama of the Andes, and encountered the extraordinary animal life of the Galapagos Islands. But, on his return, a fear of the probable impact of his discoveries also took root. Darwin was himself a deeply religious man and, unsurprisingly perhaps, spent 20 years in rigorous intellectual enquiry, exhaustive experiments and soul-searching before, finally, an anxiety that someone else would get there first spurred him to go public.
In its essence, On the Origin of Species is the story of how life, once begun, developed in its amazing diversity and complexity; the story of a world in which species have come and gone, adapting themselves to changing climates and environments as best they could; the story of the survival of the fittest. That it remains one of the most dazzling and influential books ever written is a testament to the immense energy and startling simplicity with which Darwin makes his revelations.
‘The theory of natural selection is a prime candidate for the title of the greatest idea ever to occur to a human mind’
- Richard Dawkins
Bound in buckram printed and blocked with a design by David Eccles
Set in Baskerville
Frontispiece and 24 pages of colour plates
448 pages
Plain slipcase
10˝ x 6¾˝
Beautiful cover. I could afford this one and I ´m very pleased about it. It made christmas a feast of reading.
Review by Ms caroline dormans on 1st January 2025
Good Oh dear I have to add more characters - the four characters in the word good is not sufficient. Hear are a few more characters - Orwellian
Review by john cuthill on 26th November 2024
I bought this as a gift and my Husband loves the quality and the book!!
Review by DOROTHY HARTLEY on 9th October 2024
It is a beautiful, high-quality book; however, I did not like the cover design. The new limited edition of this book seems to have a better cover design.
Review by DR ENES TAYLAN on 8th February 2024
Excellent condition
Review by pragmatisT on 31st December 2023
Charles Darwin’s The Descent of Man applies his revolutionary theory to human evolution. This exceptional Folio collector’s edition is introduced by Richard Dawkins and includes numerous colour illustrations, as well as diagrams and figures.
Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist Edward O. Wilson’s classic account of evolution and biodiversity remains as relevant as when first published in 1992. The Folio edition of The Diversity of Life features wonderful colour wildlife images and a foreword by Bill McKibben.
Robert Hooke’s science classic Micrographia changed the way we view the natural world. This beautifully crafted Folio Society edition of the complete text includes all Hooke’s original illustrations and an introduction by historian Ruth Scurr.
Richard Dawkins’s startling theory propelled The Selfish Gene to international acclaim and it remains the de facto text on social development. This first illustrated edition includes 51 incredible colour photographs.
