Originally published in 1979, The Darwinian Revolution was the first comprehensive and readable synthesis of the history of evolutionary thought. Though the years since have seen an enormous flowering of research on Darwin and other nineteenth-century scientists concerned with evolution, as well as the larger social and cultural responses to their work, The Darwinian Revolution remains remarkably current and stimulating.
For this edition Michael Ruse has written a new afterword that takes into account the research published since his book’s first appearance.
It is difficult to believe that yet another book on Darwin and the Darwinian Revolution could add anything new or contain any surprises. Ruse’s book is an exception on all counts. Darwin scholars and the general reader alike can learn from it. –David L. Hull, Nature
No other account of the Darwinian Revolution provides so detailed and sympathetic an account of the framework within which the scientific debates took place. –Peter J. Bowler, Canadian Journal of History
A useful and highly readable synthesis…skillfully organized and written with verve, imagination, and welcome touches of humor. –John C. Greene, Science