How to Read Darwin

by Mark Ridley

Book Overview

Ridley concentrates on understanding Darwin's most important books, On the Origin of Species and The Descent of Man, but he also examines a sample from one of Darwin's other works on the emotions, as one representative from Darwin's lesser-known works that ranged from flower pollination to coral reefs, from animal domestication to landscaping by earthworms.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393328813
• ISBN13: 9780393328813
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Great Introduction to Darwinian Evolutionary Theory

This is a great little book that explains clearly the basic premises behind Darwin's theories of evolution and natural selection. Mark Ridley, a zoology professor from Oxford, does a wonderful job of explaining the complexities of Darwin's writings in modern language and comparing them with what we know today. He analyzes passages from the Origin of Species, the Descent of Man, and the Expression of the Emotions, covering such topics as sexual selection, geological history and William Paley's watch. The best part is the book is only 111 pages, making it a great choice as a supplemental textbook for science class.