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The Origin of Species
A review of

The Origin of Species


The Foundational Text

by David Meyer

Naturalist Charles Darwin defied centuries of science, belief and his society when he offered his then-shocking and now foundational theory of evolution.

For decades, Charles Darwin – one of the most influential people of all time – observed the structure and behaviors of organisms. His basic findings hold that all life competes and the strongest survive, driving natural selection and evolution. Darwin’s seminal work also reveals his doubts, his painstaking processes and the fascinating range of evidence underlying his theory, which has stood the test of time.

Theory of Evolution

Darwin began collecting and studying species in the 1830s as a naturalist aboard HMS Beagle. In 1842, he summarized his thoughts on paper and, two years later, in an essay – the foundation of his book.