Description

Book Synopsis
A Waterstones Best Book of 2020The theory of evolution by natural selection did not spring fully formed and unprecedented from the brain of Charles Darwin. Rather it has been examined and debated by philosophers the world over for thousands of years.This lively history traces the evolution of the idea of evolution, showing how it has changed and been changed by different societies over time. It will put ''Darwin's Dangerous Idea'' into its proper context, showing how it built on what went before and how it was developed in the twentieth century, through an understanding of genetics and the biochemical basis evolution. None of this diminishes the achievement of Darwin himself in perceiving the way evolution works at the level of individuals and species, but his contribution was one link in a chain that extends back into antiquity, and is still being forged today.

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Praise for John and Mary Gribbin:

‘Elegant and meticulously researched … this is a most enjoyable book’ The Observatory

‘Mary and John Gribbin write with great clarity’ Guardian

‘Precise yet mysterious … as beautiful as a poem and as exciting as a novel’ Sunday Times

‘Immensely readable’ The Times

On the Origin of Evolution Tracing Darwins

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    A Paperback / softback by John Gribbin, Mary Gribbin

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      Book details

      Publisher Harper Collins
      Imprint William Collins
      Published 28 October 2021
      ISBN-13 9780008333409
      978-0008333409
      ISBN-10 0008333408
      Also in:
      Politics, Philosophy & Society History of ideas Science & Nature Evolution / Evolutionary biology

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      A Waterstones Best Book of 2020The theory of evolution by natural selection did not spring fully formed and unprecedented from the brain of Charles Darwin. Rather it has been examined and debated by philosophers the world over for thousands of years.This lively history traces the evolution of the idea of evolution, showing how it has changed and been changed by different societies over time. It will put ''Darwin's Dangerous Idea'' into its proper context, showing how it built on what went before and how it was developed in the twentieth century, through an understanding of genetics and the biochemical basis evolution. None of this diminishes the achievement of Darwin himself in perceiving the way evolution works at the level of individuals and species, but his contribution was one link in a chain that extends back into antiquity, and is still being forged today.

      Trade Review

      Praise for John and Mary Gribbin:

      ‘Elegant and meticulously researched … this is a most enjoyable book’ The Observatory

      ‘Mary and John Gribbin write with great clarity’ Guardian

      ‘Precise yet mysterious … as beautiful as a poem and as exciting as a novel’ Sunday Times

      ‘Immensely readable’ The Times

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