Darwin for Beginners

Paperback
$15.00 US
5.43"W x 8.15"H x 0.48"D  
On sale Jul 15, 2003 | 176 Pages | 978-0-375-71458-0
| Grades 9-12 + AP/IB
The Beginner Books—”Their cartoon format and irreverent wit make difficult ideas accessible and entertaining.” —Newsday

Taking us through the upheavals in biological thought which made The Origins of Species possible, Jonathan Miller introduces us to that odd revolutionary, Charles Darwin—a remarkably timid man who spent most of his life in seclusion; a semi-invalid riddled with doubts, fearing the controversy his theories might unleash; yet also the man who finally undermined belief in God’s creation. Along the way we meet a fascinating cast of characters: Darwin’s scientific predecessors, his contemporaries (including Alfred Russell Wallace, whose anticipation of natural selection forced Darwin to publish), his opponents, and his successors whose work in modern genetics provided necessary modifications to Darwin’s own work.

Splendidly illustrated, this clever, witty, highly informative book is the perfect introduction to Darwin’s life and thought.
Jonathan Miller, MD, is a writer, conductor, and broadcaster. A qualified doctor of medicine, he has worked as an actor and has directed BBC documentaries and plays for the National Theatre. He is the author of 16 books, including Dimensional Man, On Reflection, Darwin for Beginners, and Nowhere in Particular. He lives in London. View titles by Jonathan Miller
Borin Van Loon is a British illustrator and comic book artist, best known for his illustrations for the Introducing... series of graphic books on complex subjects. He is an author, collagist, and surrealist painter, and has worked for a wide variety of clients in editorial, publishing and promotion. He has created an eclectic collage/cartoon mural on the subject of DNA and genetics for the Health Matters Gallery in London's Science Museum. View titles by Borin Van Loon

About

The Beginner Books—”Their cartoon format and irreverent wit make difficult ideas accessible and entertaining.” —Newsday

Taking us through the upheavals in biological thought which made The Origins of Species possible, Jonathan Miller introduces us to that odd revolutionary, Charles Darwin—a remarkably timid man who spent most of his life in seclusion; a semi-invalid riddled with doubts, fearing the controversy his theories might unleash; yet also the man who finally undermined belief in God’s creation. Along the way we meet a fascinating cast of characters: Darwin’s scientific predecessors, his contemporaries (including Alfred Russell Wallace, whose anticipation of natural selection forced Darwin to publish), his opponents, and his successors whose work in modern genetics provided necessary modifications to Darwin’s own work.

Splendidly illustrated, this clever, witty, highly informative book is the perfect introduction to Darwin’s life and thought.

Author

Jonathan Miller, MD, is a writer, conductor, and broadcaster. A qualified doctor of medicine, he has worked as an actor and has directed BBC documentaries and plays for the National Theatre. He is the author of 16 books, including Dimensional Man, On Reflection, Darwin for Beginners, and Nowhere in Particular. He lives in London. View titles by Jonathan Miller
Borin Van Loon is a British illustrator and comic book artist, best known for his illustrations for the Introducing... series of graphic books on complex subjects. He is an author, collagist, and surrealist painter, and has worked for a wide variety of clients in editorial, publishing and promotion. He has created an eclectic collage/cartoon mural on the subject of DNA and genetics for the Health Matters Gallery in London's Science Museum. View titles by Borin Van Loon

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