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The Descent of Man Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 207 ratings

The Descent of Man is a book by English naturalist Charles Darwin, first published in 1871, which applies evolutionary theory to human evolution, and details his theory of sexual selection, a form of biological adaptation distinct from, yet interconnected with, natural selection. The book discusses many related issues, including evolutionary psychology, evolutionary ethics, differences between human races, differences between sexes, the dominant role of women in mate choice, and the relevance of the evolutionary theory to society.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Are they needed? To be sure. The Darwinian industry, industrious though it is, has failed to provide texts of more than a handful of Darwin's books. If you want to know what Darwin said about barnacles (still an essential reference to cirripedists, apart from any historical importance) you are forced to search shelves, or wait while someone does it for you; some have been in print for a century; various reprints have appeared and since vanished." -- Eric Korn ― Times Literary Supplement

About the Author

John Tyler Bonner and Robert M. May are Professors of Biology at Princeton University.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07GYNBPCJ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blackmore Dennett (August 28, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 28, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1035 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 662 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 207 ratings

About the author

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Charles Darwin
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Charles Robert Darwin, (/ˈdɑːrwɪn/; 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist and geologist, best known for his contributions to evolutionary theory. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors, and in a joint publication with Alfred Russel Wallace introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding.

Darwin published his theory of evolution with compelling evidence in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, overcoming scientific rejection of earlier concepts of transmutation of species. By the 1870s, the scientific community and much of the general public had accepted evolution as a fact. However, many favoured competing explanations and it was not until the emergence of the modern evolutionary synthesis from the 1930s to the 1950s that a broad consensus developed in which natural selection was the basic mechanism of evolution. In modified form, Darwin's scientific discovery is the unifying theory of the life sciences, explaining the diversity of life.

Darwin's early interest in nature led him to neglect his medical education at the University of Edinburgh; instead, he helped to investigate marine invertebrates. Studies at the University of Cambridge (Christ's College) encouraged his passion for natural science. His five-year voyage on HMS Beagle established him as an eminent geologist whose observations and theories supported Charles Lyell's uniformitarian ideas, and publication of his journal of the voyage made him famous as a popular author.

Puzzled by the geographical distribution of wildlife and fossils he collected on the voyage, Darwin began detailed investigations and in 1838 conceived his theory of natural selection. Although he discussed his ideas with several naturalists, he needed time for extensive research and his geological work had priority. He was writing up his theory in 1858 when Alfred Russel Wallace sent him an essay that described the same idea, prompting immediate joint publication of both of their theories. Darwin's work established evolutionary descent with modification as the dominant scientific explanation of diversification in nature. In 1871 he examined human evolution and sexual selection in The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, followed by The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. His research on plants was published in a series of books, and in his final book, he examined earthworms and their effect on soil.

Darwin has been described as one of the most influential figures in human history; he was honoured by burial in Westminster Abbey.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Henry Maull (1829–1914) and John Fox (1832–1907) (Maull & Fox) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
207 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides good value for money and is enjoyable to read. They appreciate Darwin's knowledge and consider it a classic in science. However, opinions differ on the writing style - some find it readable, while others find it difficult to follow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

6 customers mention "Value for money"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book good value for money. They say it's worth reading, with quick-turning pages. The facts are excellent, but some readers find them difficult to understand.

"Great book. Quick delivery. Just as described. :)" Read more

"...for the text: I think that "Origin of Species" is a more enjoyable book to read, and it does a better job of explaining Darwinian theory..." Read more

"Great book by a genius of our time.....natural selection is the intelligent design we think of as God." Read more

"...All in all, it's worth spending the time with the option of quickly flipping through the birds chapters!!" Read more

4 customers mention "Knowledge"4 positive0 negative

Customers find this book useful for understanding Darwin's theory. They say it explains the theory better than Descent of Man and is a classic in science. However, some readers mention the print quality is poor.

"...Nonetheless, the works by Darwin are monumental and the work of a genius - especially in the amount of material he instilled into his `proofs', all..." Read more

"...; is a more enjoyable book to read, and it does a better job of explaining Darwinian theory than Descent of Man does...." Read more

"anything by darwin is indispensible for those not afraid to read him" Read more

"Of course, a classic in science. But the print is microscopic!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Readable writing"4 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the writing. Some find it readable, with heavy, loquacious prose typical of 19th Century writing. Others find the language challenging and the writing blurred.

"...152 Index 152 pgs. 8 7/8" x 6 1/8". This has heavy, loquacious prose, characteristic of 19th Century writing style which provided greater..." Read more

"Not so good quality paper and print. Little blurred writing, not sure if Penguin Classics' quality has degraded or it's a copy of original" Read more

"...Definitely readable, though...." Read more

"Test is clearly readable, just what I wanted." Read more

Don’t buy!
1 out of 5 stars
Don’t buy!
The hardcover seems to be a pretty good cover. It seems this is a cheap reproduction though. It looks like someone made copies of an old library book and threw this together from those copies. Each page is clearly just a photo of a different production. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was an illegal use
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2009
    "The Descent of Man and Principles of Sexual Selection", by Charles Darwin, [...] First Edition Feb. 24, 1871, 2nd. Ed. Sept. 1874. Re-Pub. 2007. SC 675/523 pgs. 152 Index 152 pgs. 8 7/8" x 6 1/8".

    This has heavy, loquacious prose, characteristic of 19th Century writing style which provided greater specificity in meaning, and, simultaneously instilling a greater rather than lesser wordiness in construction of logically structured thoughts, hereby occasioning some modest rereading frequency by many for clarity.

    What is especially notable in Darwin's writings was his attempt to provide such completeness of theory as to insure and provide full grounds for one to contemplate his (Darwin's) possession of feelings of insecurity - or, perhaps, by a compelling fear that any understatement might provide weakness of his arguments allowing someone else gaining recognition for his theory. Nonetheless, the works by Darwin are monumental and the work of a genius - especially in the amount of material he instilled into his `proofs', all without aid of a word processor or computer. I imagine he may have used index cards. He touched only lightly on the topic of creationism, knowing controversy would erupt, but, he nonetheless reserved a room for God; Charles was, himself, a caring, sincere, sensitive person and worldly person.

    The book is a slow, at times tedious, read; and, after 182 pages, the subject matter turns to "Principles of Sexual Selection" that deals with the secondary sexual characters: how those arose, became transformed and were progressively modified by sexual selection (sexual choices) rather than natural selection. This subject is taken up systematically by Orders & Classes, from lowest to highest, and finally to the Mammals, Primates, etc. to Man/Woman where virtually everything is considered: -- size, hairiness, strength, beauty, marriage customs, etc. The extensiveness of detail, often appearing minute, in diverse species or subspecies, geographic location, herd size, foods, etc. is awesome - but Darwin supported is writings with intensely scripted references to learned scholars in botany, biology, and anthropology, that, along with numerical support of his data, provides a comfortable bed for his arguments in support of his Natural Selection Theory.

    Interestingly, even with DNA evidences to support Ontogeny and Phylogeny, there are those who still see only a fabrication of purposeful lies by atheists and non-God Fearing peoples.

    - finis -
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2020
    Great book. Quick delivery. Just as described. :)
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2020
    Just wish a sticker wasn't on the cover but it's still good.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2018
    The copy I bought was an OCR scan of a physical book: better than many scanned books, but still with some annoying flaws in the scan/conversion process. Definitely readable, though. As for the text: I think that "Origin of Species" is a more enjoyable book to read, and it does a better job of explaining Darwinian theory than Descent of Man does. But having said that, Descent of Man is a very worthwhile read, and whether you are a Darwinian evolutionist or an anti-evolution creationist, every person with a high school education of higher should at some point actually read Darwin. I often feel that people argue the subject of evolution without having actually read Darwin, basing opinions on third or fourth-hand interpretations of what he might have meant or said. Reading Darwin's own words takes it back toward the starting point, and his cautious, conservative, (even pious) approach may surprise both advocates and opponents of "Darwin's Theory of Evolution."
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2018
    appreciated info old style writing and language a little strsnge but gosh its old so am i
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2017
    Great book by a genius of our time.....natural selection is the intelligent design we think of as God.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2012
    I know it is important to rating produce so that is why I love the produce

    I did not dislike a thing from this produce.

    I would recommended this produce to my family and friends
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2015
    anything by darwin is indispensible for those not afraid to read him

Top reviews from other countries

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  • vinoth babu r
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in India on April 19, 2021
    Good
  • movamental
    5.0 out of 5 stars Roll up roll up come here this truth and be shocked by reality
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2014
    Let's put it his way, Richard Dawkins loves Darwin, as did Karl Marx and Marx wrote Engels regarding his wife's inhertence, of which he couldn't wait to get his hsnds on. Bath? The poor woman and when last has anyone seen Richard Dawkins with a woman? Wendy Wright doesn't count, she merely exposed his ass for thebliar he is. Ausrtolepithicus in deed... the fossil record? My point though is women are NOT as intelligent as men FACT,

    I will live and die for them regardless, as intelligence does not define human quality.
  • Matthias
    5.0 out of 5 stars Evolution des Menschen
    Reviewed in Germany on October 9, 2013
    Darwin versucht in diesem Werk seine Sicht der Dinge darzulegen, im Bezug auf die Evolution des Menschen. dabei geht der Wissenschaftler natürlich ohne Beachtung der politischen Korrektheit vor, und stößt aus heutiger Sicht manche Themen an welche es relativ schwierig machen dürften für viele Leser diese Argumente zu akzeptieren. Nichtsdestotrotz ist das Buch interessant zu lesen, und muss eben im Geiste seiner Zeit verstanden werden.
  • shorebird
    5.0 out of 5 stars 人間の進化と性淘汰につながりはあるのか,古典にとどまらないその内容
    Reviewed in Japan on September 9, 2003
    ダーウィンの人間の進化と性淘汰.
    種の起源で進化の事実を説明したダーウィンはさらに20年,ついに人間についての説明を公刊する.本書IIは性淘汰について.なんとダーウィンは人種の存在について性淘汰から説明しようとしている.しかもこの説明の是非の決着はまだついていない.(興味のある人にはミラーの「恋人たちの心」が大推薦)
    内容についてはもちろん現代の水準から見て未熟な部分もあるが,しかし驚かされるのはむしろ現代の進化生物学の水準からみてもなお輝きを失っていないことである.非常に優れた考察が随所に光るところは数々の学者が賞賛しているとおりであった.
    また精神の巨人が前人未到のことを深く深く考えているその跡をたどるのは読書,特に古典を味わうの真の醍醐味のひとつ!であろう.
    時代精神(ダーウィンのヴィクトリアンだけでなく現代に生きる我々の時代精神も含めて,)についても深く考えさせる.
    訳も大変すばらしく,解説も非常に水準が高い.言うこと無しである.
    このシリーズは第3巻の後なかなか続かないが是非続けて欲しいものだ.
  • Raghubir Singh Pirta
    5.0 out of 5 stars Who we are!
    Reviewed in India on June 9, 2018
    It is Darwin's classic that changed our views about ourselves! A treasure for personal study.

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