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From So Simple a Beginning: Darwin's Four Great Books (Voyage of the Beagle, The Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals) by Charles Darwin
Never before have the four great works of Charles Darwin--Voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle (1845), The Origin of Species (1859), The Descent of Man (1871), and The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals (1872)--been collected under one cover. Undertaking this challenging endeavor 123 years after Darwin's death, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Edward O. Wilson has written an introductory essay for the occasion, while providing new, insightful introductions to each of the four volumes and an afterword that examines the fate of evolutionary theory in an era of religious resistance. In addition, Wilson has crafted a creative new index to accompany these four texts, which links the nineteenth-century, Darwinian evolutionary concepts to contemporary biological thought. Beautifully slipcased, and including restored versions of the original illustrations, From So Simple a Beginning turns our attention to the astounding power of the natural creative process and the magnificence of its products.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1872
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About the author
Charles Darwin
2,320 books3,362 followersCharles Robert Darwin of Britain revolutionized the study of biology with his theory, based on natural selection; his most famous works include
On the Origin of Species
(1859) and
The Descent of Man
(1871).
Chiefly Asa Gray of America advocated his theories.
Works of Jacques Martin Barzun include Darwin, Marx, Wagner (1941).
Charles Robert Darwin, an eminent English collector and geologist, proposed and provided scientific evidence of common ancestors for all life over time through the process that he called. The scientific community and the public in his lifetime accepted the facts that occur and then in the 1930s widely came to see the primary explanation of the process that now forms modernity. In modified form, the foundational scientific discovery of Darwin provides a unifying logical explanation for the diversity of life.
Darwin developed his interest in history and medicine at Edinburgh University and then theology at Cambridge. His five-year voyage on the Beagle established him as a geologist, whose observations and supported uniformitarian ideas of Charles Lyell, and publication of his journal made him as a popular author. Darwin collected wildlife and fossils on the voyage, but their geographical distribution puzzled him, who investigated the transmutation and conceived idea in 1838. He discussed his ideas but needed time for extensive research despite priority of geology. He wrote in 1858, when Alfred Russel Wallace sent him an essay, which described the same idea, prompting immediate joint publication.
His book of 1859 commonly established the dominant scientific explanation of diversification in nature. He examined human sexuality in Selection in Relation to Sex , and The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals followed. A series of books published his research on plants, and he finally examined effect of earthworms on soil.
A state funeral recognized Darwin in recognition of preeminence and only four other non-royal personages of the United Kingdom of the 19th century; people buried his body in Westminster abbey, close to those of John Herschel and Isaac Newton.
Her fathered Francis Darwin, astronomer George Darwin, and politician, economist and eugenicist Leonard Darwin.
(Arabic: تشارلز داروين)
Chiefly Asa Gray of America advocated his theories.
Works of Jacques Martin Barzun include Darwin, Marx, Wagner (1941).
Charles Robert Darwin, an eminent English collector and geologist, proposed and provided scientific evidence of common ancestors for all life over time through the process that he called. The scientific community and the public in his lifetime accepted the facts that occur and then in the 1930s widely came to see the primary explanation of the process that now forms modernity. In modified form, the foundational scientific discovery of Darwin provides a unifying logical explanation for the diversity of life.
Darwin developed his interest in history and medicine at Edinburgh University and then theology at Cambridge. His five-year voyage on the Beagle established him as a geologist, whose observations and supported uniformitarian ideas of Charles Lyell, and publication of his journal made him as a popular author. Darwin collected wildlife and fossils on the voyage, but their geographical distribution puzzled him, who investigated the transmutation and conceived idea in 1838. He discussed his ideas but needed time for extensive research despite priority of geology. He wrote in 1858, when Alfred Russel Wallace sent him an essay, which described the same idea, prompting immediate joint publication.
His book of 1859 commonly established the dominant scientific explanation of diversification in nature. He examined human sexuality in Selection in Relation to Sex , and The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals followed. A series of books published his research on plants, and he finally examined effect of earthworms on soil.
A state funeral recognized Darwin in recognition of preeminence and only four other non-royal personages of the United Kingdom of the 19th century; people buried his body in Westminster abbey, close to those of John Herschel and Isaac Newton.
Her fathered Francis Darwin, astronomer George Darwin, and politician, economist and eugenicist Leonard Darwin.
(Arabic: تشارلز داروين)
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 2, 2016
This has taken nearly one and a half years to read because I wanted to digest it properly and understand it.
And the conclusion is the man is a genius and like every scientific discovery of this nature it as changed over time as new discoveries change our outlook.
A superb and informative book that sould be read by everyone.
Oh and before the neo Darwinists shout "Yes another convert", it's not a religion to fight christians or the islamic movement it's a science and if people want to believe in their gods and the suchlike that's cool. My wife is muslim and she is fine with it, we don't try to convert each other!
PEACE AND LOVE TO ALL :)
And the conclusion is the man is a genius and like every scientific discovery of this nature it as changed over time as new discoveries change our outlook.
A superb and informative book that sould be read by everyone.
Oh and before the neo Darwinists shout "Yes another convert", it's not a religion to fight christians or the islamic movement it's a science and if people want to believe in their gods and the suchlike that's cool. My wife is muslim and she is fine with it, we don't try to convert each other!
PEACE AND LOVE TO ALL :)
March 4, 2024
I had these books on my TBR pile for a while, as a geneticist and general lover of nature and animals. I am glad that I read them. No argument here: Darwin was a genius of his time. But… there are a lot of difficult passages to read referring to “inferior races” and “inferior species”. After reading more modern books such as “platypus matter”, it is more clear to me now how his explanations have been taken too much like gospel, and need to be challenged and expanded upon. There are no “lower forms”. There are just forms perfectly adapted to their environment. It’s not that Darwin was not a genius, it’s just that we have come much further since then. I appreciate what he did in the epoch he did it in, but some parts of the books have not aged so well. Which, again, is perfectly fine. Readers just need to be aware of it. Otherwise, have fun reading it.
Regarding the edition: the paper is very thin, so not ideal if you like annotating these kind of reads like I do. Also, mine disintegrated in the front and I had to tape it otherwise the first pages would have fallen out. This was a bit disappointing
Regarding the edition: the paper is very thin, so not ideal if you like annotating these kind of reads like I do. Also, mine disintegrated in the front and I had to tape it otherwise the first pages would have fallen out. This was a bit disappointing
August 2, 2020
Highest recommendation! One of the most valuable additions to any (non-fiction) library. Having read 1000+ books now as recorded on goodreads “from so simple a beginning” stands out in its massive scope. It contains Darwin’s 4 major books:
1. Voyage of the Beagle
2. The Origin of Species
3. The Descent of Man
4. The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals
Besides these the autobiography is a great starting point. Maybe grab one biography as well if you can.
Humble, painstaking diligent research that we all can learn from. You don’t have to be a scientist, historian or work in a lab to appreciate Darwin’s dangerous idea.
“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.”
“There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.”
“Arguably the most influential book in history” /Edward O. Wilson
“Yes, change is the basic law of nature. But the changes wrought by the passage of time affects individuals and institutions in different ways. According to Darwin’s Origin of Species, it is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself.Applying this theoretical concept to us as individuals, we can state that the civilization that is able to survive is the one that is able to adapt to the changing physical, social, political, moral, and spiritual environment in which it finds itself.”
(Quote from a speech delivered in 1963 by a Louisiana State University business professor named Leon C. Megginson)
1. Voyage of the Beagle
2. The Origin of Species
3. The Descent of Man
4. The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals
Besides these the autobiography is a great starting point. Maybe grab one biography as well if you can.
Humble, painstaking diligent research that we all can learn from. You don’t have to be a scientist, historian or work in a lab to appreciate Darwin’s dangerous idea.
“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.”
“There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.”
“Arguably the most influential book in history” /Edward O. Wilson
“Yes, change is the basic law of nature. But the changes wrought by the passage of time affects individuals and institutions in different ways. According to Darwin’s Origin of Species, it is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself.Applying this theoretical concept to us as individuals, we can state that the civilization that is able to survive is the one that is able to adapt to the changing physical, social, political, moral, and spiritual environment in which it finds itself.”
(Quote from a speech delivered in 1963 by a Louisiana State University business professor named Leon C. Megginson)
July 11, 2016
Charles Darwin is not a 'regular' scientist, he might be the most controversial person in the history of humanity, where he faced severe scrutiny from religious scrutiny. This was the main motive for me to read his work, because it is only fair to judge a person when you are familiar with his work.
What I found was that Darwin is not only a great scientist, but he is one of the extraordinary researcher. I was astonished of how he had the ability to pay attention to specific details. After blending all these observations together, he came up with eye opening conclusions.
Not being a naturalist, the details were a bit more than my interest, and that's why I rated the book the way I did.
My conclusion at the end, Darwin has contributed to humanity more than most religious scholars with his theory of evolution by natural selection.
What I found was that Darwin is not only a great scientist, but he is one of the extraordinary researcher. I was astonished of how he had the ability to pay attention to specific details. After blending all these observations together, he came up with eye opening conclusions.
Not being a naturalist, the details were a bit more than my interest, and that's why I rated the book the way I did.
My conclusion at the end, Darwin has contributed to humanity more than most religious scholars with his theory of evolution by natural selection.
April 24, 2017
I have finally decided, at 75 years of age, to begin and finish Darwin's mighty masterpiece, On The Origin Of Species. I have read many books about Darwin, but for some reason put off this decision. Darwin described it as his one long argument, the intellectual idea of "Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Races In the Struggle for Life." Darwin's influence is still profound, still intellectually stimulating, and still marvelously humane.
December 22, 2010
Mine is the paperback with Nobel Laureate James Watson's intro. Dispite the cover's misleading ".... with notes by Watson," all JW actually wrote was a slightly self-appreciative This-Was-My-Favorite-Book-At-Age-14 three-pages. Fine - and if Linus Pauling hadn't made an error in addition, HE'D have had DNA'S "Double-Helix" before you and Francis Crick. So it goes....
Darwin's "Beagle" is the fascinating, travelogue-like first of his Great Four - and provides enough momentum [or it did me at least] to immediately undertake Darwin's "Origin of the Species" - less anecdotal, far more didactic and brilliantly explanatory of adaptive mechanisms. Darwin's Theorums [word carefully chosen would fascinate any religious person were he/she to read and reflect carefully upon each in turn.
I tried several on my wife - a Sunday-School teacher and fiercely curious person. She understood, was pleased, not offended in the least and worked Darwin's finches into a Lesson Plan. That she could placate several of the parents and co-parishioners suggests Darwin's elegance and gives me hope for America's emerging intact from it's current, dubiously named "Great Awakening."
Darwin's "Beagle" is the fascinating, travelogue-like first of his Great Four - and provides enough momentum [or it did me at least] to immediately undertake Darwin's "Origin of the Species" - less anecdotal, far more didactic and brilliantly explanatory of adaptive mechanisms. Darwin's Theorums [word carefully chosen would fascinate any religious person were he/she to read and reflect carefully upon each in turn.
I tried several on my wife - a Sunday-School teacher and fiercely curious person. She understood, was pleased, not offended in the least and worked Darwin's finches into a Lesson Plan. That she could placate several of the parents and co-parishioners suggests Darwin's elegance and gives me hope for America's emerging intact from it's current, dubiously named "Great Awakening."
November 21, 2021
Damn!
Voyage of the beagle not my thing!
Going through the rest of it was pretty interesting to say the least. I can really see and understand why Charles Darwin is still talked about to this day. I could also see why a lot of people would hate him. Extremely informative and quite laughable at some points. Especially when he describes natives. Oh how the times have changed.
As far as Edward Wilson goes, I'm pretty sure he has some of Charles Darwin's used pennies that he sniffs quite often. Joking aside you can definitely see the admiration here in Wilson's portions of the book. I really got a kick out of his sections. Well done and well put together!
Voyage of the beagle not my thing!
Going through the rest of it was pretty interesting to say the least. I can really see and understand why Charles Darwin is still talked about to this day. I could also see why a lot of people would hate him. Extremely informative and quite laughable at some points. Especially when he describes natives. Oh how the times have changed.
As far as Edward Wilson goes, I'm pretty sure he has some of Charles Darwin's used pennies that he sniffs quite often. Joking aside you can definitely see the admiration here in Wilson's portions of the book. I really got a kick out of his sections. Well done and well put together!
December 19, 2018
This is a wonderful classic book written by Darwin himself describing what he saw as he made his way around the world on the Beagle. He was very insightful and spoke about animals, cultures, and even geography as he went along his way. Some of the creatures may already be extinct, and it is a wonderful testament to the environment as he saw it at the time.
June 6, 2017
Big book, big content.
September 21, 2022
A superb edition, ideal for Darwin's work lovers. A jewel for your library.
April 4, 2008
While I've not completed this weighty compendium I can say with authority that the "Voyage of the Beagle" provides great insight into formative observations that would lead Darwin to the theory of natural selection. Ironically, given that Darwin said he felt his dedication to science atrophied his appreciation of writing as art, his awe, coupled with his lucidly exact English, "Voyage of the Beagle" contains passages of lyrical beauty that few great authors would disavow - his passage of stones carried from the Andes down into the oceans over time remains particularly powerful, as do his experiences with the gauchos of Venezuela - Darwin wielding a bola on horseback, however inexpertly, remains an indelible image for this reader belying the supposed effeminacy of scientists and authors too often propagated in American culture.
December 18, 2014
For anyone willing to invest the effort, this book documents the long and tedious process by which Charles Darwin came to his dogma-shattering conclusion that every living thing evolves. He was an amazing observer, a first rate scientist, and a man able to see the world for what it was as opposed to what historians of the time thought it was. The Voyage of the Beagle is worth the price of admission all by itself.
May 28, 2016
Well I have technically read four books in one, so I am actually further along with my challenge but I digress. The books in themselves were very well written and researched. Darwin certainly achieved a lot in his time and certainly influenced the way we see the world. It is just a pity that with all his learning that he could not have a less Victorian outlook to his personality. There was far too much use of the words Savage and Barbarian. Even the Irish get dumped on.
Read
May 2, 2008Let's be frank - I'll never read these cover to cover, but I love to dip into it now and then. I find browsing Voyage of the Beagle a particularly sobering motivational tool, knowing that the man spent FIVE YEARS on and off that damn boat and was barely 30 when he wrote about it.
September 6, 2013
Darwin wrote many books, and these are the heart of evolutionary theory, in one volume. E.O. Wilson wrote the introductions, and he is one of the most trusted modern evolutionists, winner of Pulitzer prizes, and a Harvard professor - and a writer whose style I deeply enjoy.
August 21, 2021
I have read the first book "Voyage of the Beagle" and reviewed it here: https://dragonlaughing.tumblr.com/pos... there are three other books to go before this Book is finished!
January 4, 2008
My lovely & wonderful roommate Kate gave me a set of these. Isn't she awesome?
September 9, 2008
Get your evolution from the horses mouth.
August 1, 2014
Good book; The Descent of Man is the real prize but each of the other three books are well worth the time to read.
February 17, 2016
It's own kind of scripture. The language is more poetic than I remember. That, however, doesn't blur the point.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews