A lively account of how Darwin’s work on natural selection transformed science and society, and an investigation into the mysterious illness that plagued its author. By early morning of June 30, 1860, a large crowd began to congregate in front of Oxford University’s brand-new Museum of Natural History. The occasion was the annual meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and the subject of discussion was Charles Darwin’s new treatise: fact or fiction? Darwin, a simultaneously reclusive and intellectually audacious squire from Kent, claimed to have solved “that mystery of mysteries,” introducing a logical explanation of the origin of species—how they adapted, even transmogrified, through natural selection. At stake, on that summer’s day of spirited debate, was the very foundation of modern biology, not to mention the future of the church. Without fear of exaggeration, Darwin’s thesis would forever change our understanding of the life sciences and the natural world. And yet the author himself was nowhere to be found in the debate hall—instead, he was miles away, seeking respite from a spate of illnesses that had plagued him for much of his adult life. In Origin Story, medical historian Howard Markel recounts the two-year period (1858 to 1860) of Darwin’s writing of On the Origin of Species through its spectacular success and controversy. Simultaneously, Markel delves into the mysterious health symptoms Darwin developed, combing the literature to emerge with a cogent diagnosis of a case that has long fascinated medical historians. The result is a colorful portrait of the man, his friends and enemies, and his seminal work, which resonates to this day.

How is this book unique? Font adjustments & biography included Unabridged (100% Original content) Illustrated About Life and Letters of Charles Darwin - Volume 2 by Charles Darwin "The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin - Volume 1 is a book published in 1887 edited by Francis Darwin about his father Charles Darwin. It contains a selection of 87 letters from the correspondence of Charles Darwin, an autobiographical chapter written by Charles Darwin for his family, and an essay by Thomas Huxley ""On the reception of the 'Origin of Species'"". It was published by Darwin's publisher John Murray. The autobiographical chapter was edited by Francis to remove references to his father's views on religion. These were later reinstated and published as The Autobiography of Charles Darwin in 1958 by Charles's granddaughter (and Francis's niece) Nora Barlow. The book was the first real biography of Charles Darwin, excepting obituaries, and thus the foundation of the Darwin Industry. Further volumes of letters followed - More Letters of Charles Darwin in 1903. Charles's wife Emma Darwin's correspondence was published by Charles and Emma's daughter (Frank's sister) Henrietta Litchfield in 1905/1915 as Emma Darwin: A Century of Family Letters. The book received extensive reviews in The Times and The Manchester Guardian.The book was later described by The Times as ""one of the best biographies ever written"" and ""In the selection and arrangement of the material he [Francis Darwin] was chiefly guided by a wish to portray his father's personal character, and he succeeded in a remarkable degree in giving a true picture of the man and the student, the methods of Darwin's work and the gradual development of his opinions."""

Charles Darwin wrote a copious amount of notes and letters, in addition to his formal writings, and it is these originally unpublished words that form the foundation of this text. His son Francis Darwin serves as editor and tour guide for this collection, expertly introducing the various pieces in which the great naturalist details his life and his theory of evolution. Volume One of this text details with the early life of Darwin, and Volume Two picks up in 1837, with Darwin in his late twenties and working towards the foundations of The Origin of Species. Darwin's story is primarily told through personal notes he kept and letter he wrote to friends and loved ones. These texts are expertly introduced and contextualized by Francis Darwin, and this collection of words serves to paint a detailed portrait of the man. The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin is as good of a (auto)biography as will ever exist of Charles Darwin. This collection of letters is the most intimate look the world will ever have of the highly influential man. The book is wonderfully edited and the included works truly do allow the reader a look inside the head of Charles Darwin. For readers interested in the life of Darwin, The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin: Volume Two of Three is essential reading. It is a fascinating and personal examination of a man who forever changed our understanding of the world that surrounds us. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR 2017 A rich and exuberant group biography of the first geologists, the people who were first to excavate from the layers of the world its buried history. These first geologists were made up primarily, and inevitably, of gentlemen with the necessary wealth to support their interests, yet boosting their numbers, expanding their learning and increasing their findings were clergymen, academics – and women. This lively and eclectic collection of characters brought passion, eccentricity and towering intellect to geology and Brenda Maddox in Reading the Rocks does them full justice, bringing them to vivid life. The new science of geology was pursued by this assorted band because it opened a window on Earth's ancient past. They showed great courage in facing the conflict between geology and Genesis that immediately presented itself: for the rocks and fossils being dug up showed that the Earth was immeasurably old, rather than springing from a creation made in the six days that the Bible claimed. It is no coincidence that Charles Darwin was a keen geologist. The individual stories of these first geologists, their hope and fears, triumphs and disappointments, the theological, philosophical and scientific debates their findings provoked, and the way that as a group, they were to change irrevocably and dramatically our understanding of the world is told by Brenda Maddox with a storyteller's skill and a fellow scientist's understanding. The effect is absorbing, revelatory and strikingly original.

Charles Darwin wrote a copious amount of notes and letters, in addition to his formal writings, and it is these originally unpublished words that form the foundation of this text. His son Francis Darwin serves as editor and tour guide for this collection, expertly introducing the various pieces in which the great naturalist details his life and his theory of evolution. Volume One of this text details with the early life of Darwin, and Volume Two picks up in 1837, with Darwin in his late twenties and working towards the foundations of The Origin of Species. Darwin's story is primarily told through personal notes he kept and letter he wrote to friends and loved ones. These texts are expertly introduced and contextualized by Francis Darwin, and this collection of words serves to paint a detailed portrait of the man. The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin is as good of a (auto)biography as will ever exist of Charles Darwin. This collection of letters is the most intimate look the world will ever have of the highly influential man. The book is wonderfully edited and the included works truly do allow the reader a look inside the head of Charles Darwin. For readers interested in the life of Darwin, The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin: Volume Two of Three is essential reading. It is a fascinating and personal examination of a man who forever changed our understanding of the world that surrounds us. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This volume presents a fresh view of Huxley's rhetorical experiences and legacy and closely analyzes his battle with orthodox theology. Careful attention is given to his reliance on three confidants, his maiden public lecture in 1852, his debate with Bishop Wilberforce in 1860, and his 1876 lecture tour of the United States.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.