The Annotated Origin discussion

Before buying this, I'd like some feedback from someone who's read/seen it!

It is definitely worth reading because Darwin's discovery of natural selection gave birth to so much of modern science. It is not an easy read and it can be a bit dry. But it should be on everyone's reading list because of it's importance in history. Of course, the science of evolution has come a long way since this book was written. If you are looking to understand evolution or an easier read, then a more modern scientific book on evolution may be better. There are a lot of books on the topic, but I'd recommend Why Evolution is True by Coyne. Eventually though it would be good to read Darwin's works.

BTW, Origin of the Species is available for free on Kindle and other e-readers. If you don't have a Kindle (or similar device) you can still download it to your computer for free. There is more than one edition. But if you are looking to save money, check out the free version.

Regarding the science of evolution there are easier works, but Origins is certainly a fascinating book to read for it's language and more so for the insight into where Darwin came from and on whose research, besides his own, he did build his theory of evolution.

I have read this book more then once and its my bible.

Its not modern-science for this date, many theories have been updated/editted or so. But its a good read, Full out of anything marks, because its about understanding nature &also remind syou to look at the world in a more un-biased way, more "observational &conclude" method than "observe to prove what you are told".
The Steve Jones book is also informative :)

I downloaded the audio version from my library. And boy what a treat. The person reading the book had a British accent, and one could almost be transported to Kent in 1858.
I also know that Darwin was a bit of a hypochondriac, and Emma, his wife once said, "Nothing marries one so close as illness." They were married for 43 years, and Emma was there at the end for Darwin. He passed away being held closely in Emma's arms. What a great man! What a great wife, too!

NO I think that you will find that Darwin was not a hypochondriac. As he did have a tropikal illnes.

Dayla wrote: "I downloaded the audio version from my library. And boy what a treat. The person reading the book had a British accent, and one could almost be transported to Kent in 1858.
I also know that Dar..."

Was it the Richard Dawkins version? I love listening to that one.

This is one of the most important books ever written. It is also one of the most useful books to read if you want insight into life in the west around 1850. Reading it based on what we know today gives a rather warped feeling. Darwin argues again and again about how evolution has occured, demonstrating how he lived under another paradigm when such an idea was dangerous and revolutionary. Breaking with the old traditions Darwin needed to give extraordinary evidence and the book does just that. All through the book one can feel the trembling fear of the establishment and the church that Darwin felt. A fear that delayed the publication of the book for decades.

It's an important book. That said, it's damned difficult to read, even for persons with a scientific background. The two century old, British prose is boring to tears. Other scientists and authors have made evolution much more interesting and understandable. I'd start elsewhere and only read this if it's on your bucket list for some reason.