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Nature » Evolution

On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
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On the Origin of Species

by Charles Darwin

On the Origin of Species is Charles Darwin’s book on evolution that changed our understanding of the world, and our place in it, irrevocably. It is one of Five Books’ most recommended books.

Which edition of On the Origin of Species should I read?

In his interview on evolution, evolutionary biologist and author Jerry Coyne recommended the ‘annotated’ version of the Origin of Species “which is a facsimile of the First Edition (the best edition for general readers), with marginal notes that explain the hard bits.”

Jerry Coyne Jerry Coyne, Biologist

Recommendations from our site

“An educated person is someone who knows at least a little bit about the major disciplines in human endeavour. And in biology, this is what you need to know – not only historically but also contemporaneously, because Darwin was right, and still is right, about so many things.” Read more...

The best books on Evolution

Jerry Coyne, Biologist

“It is one of the most important books written, and I always urge people to read it.” Read more...

Favourite Science Books

Mark Kurlansky, Science Writer

“What he had done was to provide an explanation for how evolution occurred, and this was natural selection. This was Darwin’s great insight and what that did was to provide the explanation of how and why all of life was linked together.” Read more...

The best books on Prehistory

Tim White, Biologist

“For me (and many others) this book forms the foundation for modern biology. It is all about humans’ concept of themselves.” Read more...

The best books on Earth History

Adam Maloof, Environmentalist

“It utterly changed the point of view of humankind. Beforehand it was impossible to think otherwise than that humanity and the earth were at the centre of the universe.” Read more...

The best books on Ideas that Matter

A C Grayling, Philosopher

Commentary

“Everybody has read Mr. Darwin’s book, or, at least, has given an opinion upon its merits or demerits; pietists, whether lay or ecclesiastic, decry it with the mild railing which sounds so charitable; bigots denounce it with ignorant invective; old ladies of both sexes consider it a decidedly dangerous book, and even savants, who have no better mud to throw, quote antiquated writers to show that its author is no better than an ape himself”

TH Huxley, The Westminster Review, Volume 73, 1860

“With Mr. Darwin’s ‘argument’ we may say in the outset that we shall have much and grave fault to find. But this does not make us the less disposed to admire the singular excellences of his work”

Samuel Wilberforce's lengthy takedown of the Origin of Species, Quarterly Review, 1860

“No naturalist has devoted more painstaking attention to the structure of the barnacles than Mr. Darwin.”

Richard Owen, Edinburgh Review, 1860

Other books by Charles Darwin

Evolutionary Writings: Including the Autobiographies by Charles Darwin

Evolutionary Writings: Including the Autobiographies
by Charles Darwin

The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals by Charles Darwin

The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals
by Charles Darwin

The Descent of Man by Charles Darwin

The Descent of Man
by Charles Darwin

Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin

Voyage of the Beagle
by Charles Darwin

The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms with Observations on their Habits by Charles Darwin

The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms with Observations on their Habits
by Charles Darwin

Our most recommended books

  • On the Origin of Species
    by Charles Darwin

  • The Cultural Origins of Human Cognition
    by Michael Tomasello

  • The Prehistory of the Mind
    by Steven Mithen

  • Micrographia: The Complete Facsimile of the First Printing of 1665
    by Robert Hooke

  • The Mismeasure of Man
    by Stephen Jay Gould

  • Not by Genes Alone: How Culture Transformed Human Evolution
    by Peter J. Richerson & Robert Boyd

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