The Origin of Species, with eBook [Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged] [MP3 CD]

Charles Darwin (Author), David Case (Narrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1400158648 | ISBN-13: 978-1400158645 | Publication Date: August 18, 2008 | Edition: Unabridged,MP3 - Unabridged CD

On December 27, 1831, the young naturalist Charles Darwin left Plymouth Harbor aboard the HMS Beagle. For the next five years, he conducted research on plants and animals from around the globe, amassing a body of evidence that would culminate in one of the greatest discoveries in the history of mankind-the theory of evolution.Darwin presented his stunning insights in a landmark book that forever altered the way human beings view themselves and the world they live in. In The Origin of Species, Darwin convincingly demonstrates the fact of evolution: that existing animals and plants cannot have appeared separately but must have slowly transformed from ancestral creatures. Most important, the book fully explains the mechanism that effects such a transformation: natural selection, the idea that made evolution scientifically intelligible for the first time.One of the few revolutionary works of science that is readily accessible to the nonscientist, The Origin of Species not only launched the science of modern biology but has also influenced virtually all subsequent literary, philosophical, and religious thinking.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles Darwin, a British naturalist, geologist, biologist, and author, revolutionized the science of biology by developing the theory of evolution by natural selection. Among his important works are On the Origin of Species and The Descent of Man. A journal that he kept during a five-year journey on the HMS Beagle eventually was published as The Voyage of the Beagle. A highly respected and enthusiastic audiobook narrator, David Case specialized in creating unique and interesting character voices. AudioFile magazine named him a Golden Voice, writing after he died in 2005 that "David's cultured British voice, his flair for accents and dialects, and his comedic timing made him one of the industry's most sought-after narrators." He narrated over 700 audiobooks. In one of his last interviews, David said, "I really believe I was born to record audiobooks." Fans everywhere tend to agree.

From AudioFile

In celebration of the centenary of Charles Darwin's birth, Tantor has published a narration of his seminal work, THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES. The package includes an ebook, a searchable electronic edition of the original book. David Case, a fine British narrator who died in 2005, presents Darwin's work as if the author were reading it. Choosing to narrate in the high-pitched, nasal tones of Darwin's era and class is clever acting, but it can be hard listening. Case also veers toward a monotone, which doesn't help listeners follow Darwin's descriptions of mollusk types and the variation of finch beaks. I read much of the ebook and tuned into the narration occasionally, which worked well. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• MP3 CD
• Publisher: Tantor Media; Unabridged,MP3 - Unabridged CD edition (August 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400158648
• ISBN-13: 978-1400158645
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,281,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Need to know for cultural literacy, July 1, 2009

By 

bernie "xyzzy" (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Origin of Species, with eBook (MP3 CD)

This is a quick review of the book not a dissertation on Darwin or any other subject loosely related. At first I did not know what to expect. I already read " The Voyage of the Beagle: Charles Darwin's Journal of Researches". I figured the book would be similar. However I found "Origin" to be more complex and detailed.

Taking in account that recent pieces of knowledge were not available to Charles Darwin this book could have been written last week. Having to look from the outside without the knowledge of DNA or Plate Tectonics, he pretty much nailed how the environment and crossbreeding would have an effect on natural selection. Speaking of natural selection, I thought his was going to be some great insight to a new concept. All it means is that species are not being mucked around by man (artificial selection).

If you picked up Time magazine today you would find all the things that Charles said would be near impossible to find or do. Yet he predicted that it is doable in theory. With an imperfect geological record many things he was not able to find at the writing of this book have been found (according to the possibilities described in the book.)
The only draw back to the book was his constant apologizing. If he had more time and space he could prove this and that. Or it looks like this but who can say at this time. Or the same evidence can be interpreted 180 degrees different.

In the end it is worth reading and you will never look at life the same way again.

The Voyage of the Beagle: Charles Darwin's Journal of Researches (Penguin Classics)