Who here has Read OoS?

[Morse]

There is a lot of evolution vs creation on this forum, and I'm just wondering, how many people here have read the Origin of Species? How many people here are reading it (raises hand)? Much of scientific information that comes from rumors or water-cooler-speculation is incomplete or warped. I'm especially interested to see if any creationists answer this.

 

[Nepenthe]

Not a creationist but I've read On the Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, The Expression of the Emotions and several collections of his letters. There's a lot more he wrote that I hope to tackle- all of his works are available online here: Darwin Online: Darwin's Publications

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I have an old paperback copy that I've read, and a nicely bound hardcover copy which permanently sits alongside a few other books on my mantle.

 

[misanthropic_clown]

I was tempted towards getting it as an audio book when I went through a phase of lots of walking, but it was pretty expensive. I think you are generally better off getting reference books in physical form anyway. I have read other (more modern) books on the topic though, so I don't think I am really missing out.

I am tempted to ask for it for Christmas now though. I haven't got anything else in mind yet.

 

[Morse]

I found it on Amazon for like 5 bucks. I'm compiling a book list for Christmas

 

[Valjean]

Origin, while of huge scientific and historical significance, is a dry read, and can hardly be considered a comprehensive text on modern evolutionary science.
It was astonishing and controversal in its day, but presents nothing that's not common knowledge today.

 

[Morse]

Well that isn't good news. I had feared that after reading the introduction and preface, but was hoping that it would get more interesting after getting into a few of the chapters...

What other books of this nature would you suggest?

 

[Valjean]

There must be thousands of general introductions, Morse, and I'm sure you could find plenty of good material online, too.
You don't say weather you're looking for a comprehensive textbook, a general introduction, a description of general principles, or what.

For a clear, interesting read, written for the layman, in independent, bite sized essays, I'm particularly fond of Steven J Gould's compilations like The Panda's Thumb, The Flamingo's Smile, Ever Since Darwin, &al. Any library or bookstore should have them.

 

[Nepenthe]

Well that isn't good news. I had feared that after reading the introduction and preface, but was hoping that it would get more interesting after getting into a few of the chapters...

What other books of this nature would you suggest?

Seyorni is correct- it is a dull read. :sleep:
I didn't realize the OP was asking for book suggestions. For introductory books on evolution I'd recommend Evolution Vs. Creationism (ed. Eugenie Scott), Zimmer's companion to the PBS series Evolution is basic and full of great pics. Darwin's Ghost by Steve Jones and Ernst Mayr's What Evolution is, Blueprints by Johanson and Edey, John Maynard Smith's The Theory of Evolution, Tattersall's Extinct Humans is mainly a photo album of hominid fossils but is great, as is Richard Dawkins' An Ancestors Tale. All are introductory and pretty good.

 

[Jose Fly]

I've heard Dawkins' latest book, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution is quite good.

 

[Morse]

Thank you for the recommendations.

And @ Seyorni, Not necessarily looking for an introduction, I've been around evolution for a while and know what you guys are saying is in Origin, but I've never gotten around to reading any books. So somewhere between comprehensive and introductory would probably be the correct level.

 

[Nepenthe]

I've heard Dawkins' latest book, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution is quite good.

It's sitting on my shelf looking neglected....
Maybe this weekend.

 

[ThereIsNoSpoon]

There is a lot of evolution vs creation on this forum, and I'm just wondering, how many people here have read the Origin of Species? How many people here are reading it (raises hand)? Much of scientific information that comes from rumors or water-cooler-speculation is incomplete or warped. I'm especially interested to see if any creationists answer this.

I am not a creationist. I have read Dawins book (OoS) but i wouldn't recommend it to anybody for the current debate.
It is:
a) outdated
b) as easy to read as it is to swallow a spoon full of zinnamon.

 

[korzweil]

I've heard Dawkins' latest book, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution is quite good.

Gah, I really want that book. I heard it was more centered around just evolution rather than beating up on religion.

 

[linwood]

There is a lot of evolution vs creation on this forum, and I'm just wondering, how many people here have read the Origin of Species? How many people here are reading it (raises hand)? Much of scientific information that comes from rumors or water-cooler-speculation is incomplete or warped. I'm especially interested to see if any creationists answer this.

I read it years ago.

I liked his journal from his trip on the Beagle.

However the TOE has come a long way since Darwin.

 

[OmarKhayyam]

I read it in college. It is a scientific paper not for the general reader or faint of mind. However it has some rather good prose in places.

And I agree "The Voyage of The Beagle" is an easier and better written work.

 

[DavyCrocket2003]

Origin, while of huge scientific and historical significance, is a dry read, and can hardly be considered a comprehensive text on modern evolutionary science.
It was astonishing and controversal in its day, but presents nothing that's not common knowledge today.

That's why I haven't read it. Just read the first few chapters of a biology textbook. You'll get all the important stuff.

The thing is, evolution just makes sense. In my opinion it follows logically from A)Each new generation of a species introduces variation. B)The most fit individuals are most likely to survive. There. That proves the theory of evolution (in my opinion).

 

[DavyCrocket2003]

Gah, I really want that book. I heard it was more centered around just evolution rather than beating up on religion.

Well, yeah. Given that he was religious. That's why he waited so long to publish his work. He didn't want to go against the common religious belief of the time. That must have taken a lot of courage.

 

[Alceste]

I've only read bits of it online - way too dry for me, not to mention 150 years old. For me, science has a "use-by" date - I don't often read stuff more than about 15 years old. I don't feel I'm missing much because current science writers reference and incorporate older work that has held up to scrutiny. I recommend anything by S J Gould, and my dad is currently reading the Greatest Show on Earth and says it's fantastic.

 

[MSizer]

I've heard Dawkins' latest book, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution is quite good.

I bought it last week (audio on CD). My wife and I have been listening to it in the car piece by piece. We LOVE it. It is answering so many questions we had about how evidence is gathered for the ToE. There is no way you can listen or read that book and walk away believing it's all wrong. Just no way (unless you're completely dishonest).

Also, the Origin of Species is in the public domain, so you can get it for free. I know there's a volunteer read version at librivox in MP3. Apparently the volunteer readers are a bit "so-so" in their abilities, but, it's free.