The Discovery of Evolution [Paperback]

David Young (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0521435870 | ISBN-13: 978-0521435871

David Young invites his readers on a journey of adventure and discovery; a journey for the mind, and an adventure in the realm of ideas. By retracing the steps of men who developed the theory of biological evolution, we see how scientists came to recognize the nature and importance of natural selection. The journey begins in the seventeenth century, when even the most accomplished naturalists knew next to nothing of biology as we understand it today. Steadily increasing knowledge and the quickening pace of research began to uncover much new evidence, and in the middle of the century Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace incorporated this evidence in a comprehensive theory of evolution. In the twentieth century biology has become steadily more specialized, so the book picks out some of the main developments that bring us to studies of evolution being carried out today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Young's lavishly-illustrated, well-designed, and clearly-written account of evolution deserves wide general readership, and provides a coherent panorama for students.' Arthur Lucas, Journal of Biological Education

'I recommend this fascinating and well-written book, which will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the natural world.' B. J. Hatchwell, IBIS

'Young's The Discovery of Evolution leads the reader into the deep history of evolutionary ideas, from the 17th century through Darwinism, tracking the contributions of geology, natural history, classification, and genetics along the way. It provides students with a rich background to appreciate contemporary biological ideas and disputes in an accessible and beautifully illustrated book.' Sandra D. Mitchell, Professor and Chair Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh

'... well written ...' Mammalia

Book Description

This beautifully illustrated book retraces the steps of the great naturalists who developed the theory of biological evolution and explores the development of ideas from the seventeenth century to the present day.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521435870
• ISBN-13: 978-0521435871
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,921,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an exceptionally fine historical narrative, April 18, 2001

By 

joseph carroll "Joe" (St. Louis, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Discovery of Evolution (Paperback)

David Young's book is the best general history of evolutionary thought that I've read. The book can be used as an introduction, but it is informed by immense scholarship and a deep understanding of its subject. After reading other histories, I keep coming back to Young for clarification. His central merit is that he demonstrates the inner logic in the theories of previous ages. He makes it clear why such theories seemed plausible at the time, in the light of available evidence, and further, he reveals what is in fact generally valid in ideas that we now often regard as merely quaint and obsolete. If one reads Lyell and Darwin on their predecessors, one has the impression that these predecessors were often ridiculously mistaken. Lyell and Darwin are naturally intent on the promulgation of their own particular theories, theories defined by contrast with those of the predecessors. Young demonstrates the ways in which the predecessors built up, bit by bit, the whole set of ideas and observations that made Lyell and Darwin possible. The exposition of post-Darwinian evolutionary thought is similarly lucid and sympathetic. One secret of Young's insight is suggested in his title, "the discovery of evolution." He regards evolution as a reality, not merely as a "paradigm," much less as a set of ideological constructs. The protagonists of his narrative are animated by the spirit of discovery. They are on a collective quest, and the stages of their quest are the observations they make and the explanations that make sense of their observations. Young has the great historian's gift for presenting the motives and actions of individuals separated by time and space as parts of an integrated sequence-a single narrative action. The copious and often beautiful illustrations, taken from historical sources, are a treasury in themselves. The biographical register and bibliographic essay are very helpful reference sources. This is an exceptionally fine book, immensely readable and unusually illuminating.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical survey of evolution, October 20, 2001

By 

David J. Krause (Petoskey, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Discovery of Evolution (Paperback)

I agree completely with the first reviewer. A particularly strong part of Young's analysis is his clear understanding of the nature of science and how theories function in making the world comprehensible. This would be a wonderful book for anyone who, although tempted by the claims of so-called "scientific creationism," is nevertheless willing to objectively examine the reasons evolution is the overwhelming choice of scientists who are trying to understanding the development of life on earth.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A uniquely enlightening history of evolutionary thought, April 25, 2010

By 

Matt Cartmill (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Discovery of Evolution (Paperback)

I have read dozens of histories of the rise and coalescence of evolutionary thought, but this is by far the best. Young deals with each major figure in his history with sympathy and insight, showing how each made a significant advance over some aspect of previous thinking and contributed to the growth of our knowledge and understanding. I had never understood the context and importance of some of these scientists before. Before I read this book, I didn't really grasp what was meant by the Whig theory of history, or why it was a bad thing. Now I do. There are no villains or numbskulls in this history -- only thoughtful people trying their best to deal honestly with difficult issues, and always succeeding to some degree. The well-reproduced and thoughtfully chosen illustrations, all from important original sources, add powerfully to the visual appeal and historical fidelity of the presentation. Anybody interested in the historical trajectory of the idea and theory of evolution should start with this excellent and eminently readable book.