On the Origin of Species

I finally got around to reading this famous scientific work. I have to say that I'm impressed with his clarity, logic, and scientific ability. He's blessed with a curiosity that is unbounded and the ability to test out all kinds of things using the scientific method.It's interesting how research worked back in the mid-19th century. He didn't have Google and even if he did, most scientists back then hadn't asked the questions he was asking. For example, he wondered how seed could be transported across oceans; he concocted experiments to see if seeds would float in the ocean for a long period of time and still germinate. He also wondered if mud on birds feet would contain seeds; so he captured some birds and checked out the mud on their feet. There are many other examples where he did this sort of thing.He also structured this book to answer all of the possible criticisms to his theories and did a very good job. He effectively cited the work of other scientists. I found this book a joy to read and see how the mind of a great scientist works. It's refreshing to see a scientist go against the consensus and powerfully support his radical new theory.This book is highly recommended for everyone. It is eminently readable and convincing.This book is controversial since there are many people that feel it is anti-God. I don't think so; to me, it simply shows that God did not create each and every species from 'nothing'. God is more like a farmer than a conjurer. I would think that the amazing versatility of life and its ability to adapt shows something that seems hard to imagine coming together by mere chance.

The full title of this book is "On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of the Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life." In layman's terms, this book basically laid out the principles by which natural selection occurs. In other words, it offers an explanation for Evolution. On the surface, of course, this "theory" appears contrary to the traditionally-held, right-winged viewpoint of the Christian majority: Creationism. However, Charles Darwin himself believed in God. (Go figure!)One of the reasons Darwin's book gained favor was probably because of the wording of the title of his book and, more specifically, the inclusion of the phrase, "Favoured Races." At a time of immense social and economic inequalities, the well off liked believing they were somehow BETTER than others. This book provided "evidence" of how this was so and how the "others" were God-forsaken peoples. (Let's not even discuss the break from England, the Catholics vs. the Protestants or the separation of church and state!) Then, this "favoured races" is strangely both supported and contradicted by the Constitution of the United States of America in which it states unequivocally that "...all men are CREATED equal." (Separate but Equal?) In this era in which abolitionism was in its infancy (as well as in current day), people choose which parts they like to believe and which parts to condemn based on what supports them the best. Add to this the atrocities committed in the name of racial superiority (slavery, the holocaust, etc.). Finally, as is the case with racism in general, it becomes easy to assume one is of the "favoured race" and that all others are, therefore, exempt.It's easy to think all of these issues are in the past. However, every single one of these issues is still relevant today. Darwin, obviously a brilliant naturalist/scientist in his time, continues to be debated today. While many people believe in Evolution (the change of life over time), still others adamantly deny it and insist God created every living thing as it is today (Creationism). Most people conveniently acknowledge the scientific FACT of Evolution, while simultaneously believing that God made it possible by giving life and "creating" life in the first place. What do you believe?

Several aspects of the book surprised and delighted me.I didn't expect this to read as a novel, and it was not one, this was a philosophical thesis, and the result of some 30 years of research and contemplation which has not gone to waste.As a non-native English speaker I expected this to be a upstream struggle in comprehension - it was not. The language is only slightly archaic but overall is surprisingly down to earth once I got used to the style of the narrative.The logic and the examples used to support it were clear.Charles Darwin did not make his conclusions lightly and had full understanding of controversial nature of his work, but felt it was necessary to express the truth that was revealed to him through his research. It is apparent from this book that he had discussed each and every point of the theory at length. Much with those who were like minded and just as much with those who opposed him. And he relates the counterpoints in this very volume along with his reasons for thinking why these counterpoints are invalid.On this what surprised me is that (at least to my knowledge) the biggest opponents of evolutionary theory today (let's call them creationists for simplicity) have not came up with any new counter arguments to it. Everything creationists are saying today against evolutionary theory Darwin has answered already in this very book. Should they only ready it and follow the logic.... but I digress.In conclusion I should point out that this isn't an entertaining book, and at times it does become tedious, but it's invaluable educational and historic piece that anyone interested in evolution and modern science should "suffer through" at least once.