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The natural history & geology of the countries visited during the voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle. ... Read more

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Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882) has been widely recognized since his own time as one of the most influential writers in the history of Western thought. His books were widely read by specialists and the general public, and his influence had been extended by almost continuous public debate over the past 150 years. New York University Press's new paperback edition makes it possible to review Darwin's public literary output as a whole, plus his scientific journal articles, his private notebooks, and his correspondence.

This is complete edition contains all of Darwin's published books, featuring definitive texts recording original pagination with Darwin's indexes retained. The set also features a general introduction and index, and introductions to each volume.

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This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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Life of Charles Darwin is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by G. T. (George Thomas) Bettany is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of G. T. (George Thomas) Bettany then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

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Darwin's theory that man's ancestors were apes caused an uproar within the scientific world, as well as public frenzy when The Origin of Species was published in 1859. Arguments still rage about the implications of his evolutionary theory, and skepticism about the value of Darwin's contribution to knowledge is widespread. In this analysis of Darwin's major insights and arguments, Jonathan Howard reasserts the importance of Darwin's work for the development of modern biology. He offers a stimulating view of the famous scientist in a concise, handy format, making it a masterpiece for all Darwinians as well as for all general readers of popular science. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very good and still timely
I think the extent of knowledge most people know about Darwin is about evolution and even that is spotty. I just wanted to get a broad idea about the man and his theories and this book fit the bill.I feellike I can now speak about Darwin and actually know what I am talking about rather than make off handed commments with out fully realizing what I am talking about. I recommend this book to Atheists and people of faith since each of us could benefit from understanding what Darwin is about and the context of his theories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Outstanding Scientic & Personal Darwin Biography!
This bio does a fine job in analyzing and comparing the great scientist's personal and family life, with his famous scientific research, writing, and early Beagle Explorations. Apparently, he had serious health problems, most in the digestive system, but overcame this adversity, among others, to write some of the greatest scientific documents ever. Of his ten children, three died young, including two as infants. His financial independence certainly helped matters, but the long and involved writing and research would probably have discouraged a lesser man. Truly well done thruout, and not overbearingly difficult for the scientific and biological layman, like this reviewer!

WELL WORTH THE READ
This biography gives a new slant to the study of Darwin.It is by no means a new slant, but the author has certainly presented it in a much better fashion, more through, than any previous biographicals on Darwin.The author's style is easy and interesting.I Would highly recommend the additon of this one to your collection.Well worth the read.Hope we get to see more from this author.

Darwin the hypochondriac
Most biographies are geared towards illustrating the life of a famous figure for the purpose of presenting or revisiting the accomplishments.This biography, however, does not give the central focus to the writings and finds of Charles Darwin; the thesis deals more with Darwin being a possible hypochondriac.

The preface and appendix discuss recent research regarding Darwin's being an invalid during parts of his life.Some research deals with a disease that he may have picked up in South America while on the voyage of the HMS Beagle; some research says that Darwin was merely obsessed with being sick and therefore created a self-fulfilling prophecy.

This brings us to the text.Although Darwin's life is shown to us, as well as some additional information on family and colleagues, the life is covered in regards to his worst periods of sickness.By plotting this out for us, Bowlby shows us that many of these periods are preceded by deaths of family members close to Darwin and by fierce scrutiny of his discoveries and writings.

Another idea is the family's way of dealing with intense emotion.Rather than express this emotion by crying or mourning, it was internalized.This internalization led to depression, which led to sickness.

This biography is written less as a narrative of Darwin's life, but more as a proof for the author's thoughts on Darwin's sickness.As a result, there are many points where the author becomes more noticeable.

This is still an intriguing book, and I would recommend reading it.

Evolution unknowingly affected Darwin's behavior.Masterfully
The life and times of Darwin are masterfully brought to our attention by child emotional development expert and pioneer John Bowlby. Darwin's biography and upbringing are masterfully revealed and how they relate to his lifelong behavior, health, choices, and decisions in life. A most interesting aspect of this book is how evolution unknowingly affected Darwin's behavior as he himself is formulating and writing his famous theories on evolution. Because of the voluminous and extremely revealing written personal and professional correspondence by Darwin and his acquaintances a very good record ofhis health can be deduced from it. A must for those interested in more details on Darwin's life and how evolution affected the emotions and behavior of the main founder of evolution himself; and written by child emotional development pioneer Bowlby.It is a very detailed and well written book. For a complete definitive traditional biography of Darwin you may want to go to a plethora of other books available on the subject.

Probably the best recent single volume Darwin Biography
My title probably says it all, but I will elaborate. I still think that janet Browne has made the best START to a biography, I just wish she would finish by giving us Vol. 2!In the meantime we have Bowlby and that isn't half bad.Full of interesting background material and written with a lively pace A NEW LIFE manages to steer through some of the perils of "psychohistory" that have damaged other authors and gives us an interesting and at times provocative look at Darwin and Darwin's time. Well worth the read. ... Read more

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Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882) has been widely recognized since his own time as one of the most influential writers in the history of Western thought. His books were widely read by specialists and the general public, and his influence had been extended by almost continuous public debate over the past 150 years. New York University Press's new paperback edition makes it possible to review Darwin's public literary output as a whole, plus his scientific journal articles, his private notebooks, and his correspondence.

This is complete edition contains all of Darwin's published books, featuring definitive texts recording original pagination with Darwin's indexes retained. The set also features a general introduction and index, and introductions to each volume.

Customer Reviews (4)

bare-bones version by HardPress publishing
I am reviewing the paperback version published by HardPress (green and gray cover). This version has no figures, and the non-English passages are not translated anywhere. This is absolutely the most bare-bones possible.

The content itself by Darwin is, as usual, amazing. But do not buy this version.

Very nice little book
I have a gardener's affection for earthworms, so this book was a delight to read for the detailed description of their behavior alone. In addition, it gives a wonderful picture of Darwin's patient and careful observation. It's become a favorite book to give as a gift to science-minded young people. It's unexpectedly charming.

Charles Darwin, humble genius
This last book of his is so awesome, shows the scientific method in action, with simple, understandable words. And, it covers more than "worms" but the worm parts are fascinating--did you know they can "think" and make decisions?Do you know why ancient monuments are buried?ETC. It is short, highly readable and I've purchased tons of this book over the year for friends interested in nature, curious about the world, of which you have an amazing creature nearby right by your back yard.

It's good, but get it from a library!
This is a really cool bit by Darwin, who spent some serious time observing earthworms.He made his friends help him sometimes too, it seems.Ninety-five bucks is a lot of money though.Check a univerity library orsomething and Xerox it. ... Read more

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From the author of the bestselling Neanderthal comes this novel of gripping suspense and scientific conquest–a page-turning historical mystery that brilliantly explores the intrigue behind Darwin and his theory of evolution.It’s 1831, and aboard HMS Beagle the young Charles Darwin sets off down the English Channel for South America. More than 150 years later, two ambitious scholars pursuing their obsession with Darwin (and with each other) come across the diaries and letters of Darwin’s daughter. What they discover is a maze of violent rivalries, petty deceptions, and jealously guarded secrets, and the extraordinary story of an expedition embarked upon by two men. Only one returned–and changed history forever. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (40)

Darwin Conspiracy
This was a fun read.I loved the subject and was pleasantly surprised at the readability with flashbacks.I don't normally like novels with flashbacks but they were well written in this venture by Darnton.However, I am prejudiced.He is one of my favorite authors (Neanderthal, Mind Catcher, The Experiment) and his subject matter timely with anniversary of Darwin's birth, as well as for the publication of his masterwork.

Enthralling Fiction that Seems so Real
After Charles Darwin returned from his time on the Beagle, where he spent years sailing the Atlantic and the coast of South America, he spent even more years cataloguing the flora and fauna he'd collected on the voyage. However, the voyage affected his health for the worse. What caused the ailments that tormented him. How come no physician could cure or even diagnose his condition?

In spite of the fact that scholars have been pouring over Darwin's work for years, nobody really knows how he came up with his theory of evolution. Another mystery is why it took him so long after he returned to publish. Then, of course, there are those aliments I mentioned above which tormented him so after his return. An awful lot for John Darnton to handle in this book that will keep the scientist, the arm chair scientist and even Jane Average Reader like me, enthralled as we weave through the story. Yes, it's fiction, but it seems so real.

This book answers a lot of questions, but people may not like the answers
It is a delight to read a book, even if it is fiction, when it challenges accepted ideas in an intelligent manner. Darnton did deep research into the life of Charles Darwin and has identified the questions that surround his life, his strange behavior and controversial theory of evolution. What happened to Darwin on his famous trip on the Beagle? Why did Darwin wait twenty-two years after his trip before he published his theory and then rush suddenly to publish it? What specifically did he discover during the Beagle journey? Did someone discover it before him? Were his illnesses the result of psychosomatic feelings of guilt? If so, what was he hiding?
Darnton weaves a three part tale into a suspenseful drama that answers these and other questions about the famous scientist. There is Darwin's own report, a fictitious tale of his daughter trying to understand his curious and inexplicable behavior, and a fictitious modern anthropologist and a Darwin expert who are similarly intrigued.
Darnton uncovers a conspiracy involving Darwin and some friends that answer all the questions that scholars have been asking about the scientist. The conspiracy theory is based on the true views of some but not all reputable modern scientists. Whether readers agree with Darnton or not, they will enjoy the novel as an excellent fictional work and they will come to have a clearer understanding of some of the problems surrounding Darwin's bizarre life and his theory of evolution, as well as more insight into the theory.

Pure Garbage
It is hard to believe that Christian would go so far as to make their ignorance made public by writing books exposing not only their lack of knowledge on how science works but also shows their ignorance of Darwin's actual works. It's obvious that the author didn't even read Darwin's books. This is typical of Christians who haven't got a clue on how evolution works or know anything about it. Thousands of scientist have contributed to Darwin's work since Darwin's death and the evidence of evolution is overwhelming. Evolution is not a theory--it's a fact. Most of this anti-Darwin non-sense comes from Christians sitting in Christian classrooms in a Christian college being spoon fed propaganda by Christian Instructors. They have already been brainwashed into believing in god and now go about attacking evolution as if they know what they are doing under the guise of carrying out the word of the lord. As they aren't happy enough just going to their own classes in their church they seem to be driven to invade science classrooms as well spreading garbage in an attempt to pass it off as science. Science is based on observation of real life not theistic philosophy.

Read the other 1 and 2 star reviewers!
What possessed me to read past the first page of this book?I was ill and couldn't wrap my mind around anything interesting or stimulating.My many complaints are more clearly articulated by the other reviewers who thought this book stank, and like one of them, I will not be giving this to the library or a friend; I will be throwing it, torn in two, into the recycle bin.Darwin Conspiracy, The ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Darwin in Galapagos
There are numerous books about Charles Darwin and also about Galapagos. There have been none available until now that delve so completely into Darwin's experience in Galapagos. The gap has now been filled by "Darwin in Galapagos" It is a very readable yet scholarly approach to what Darwin actually observed in the islands. Having lived and worked in Galapagos for many years, I have heard and read much speculation about Darwin's actual time in the islands. Through Grant and Estes on site investigation and thorough research, many open questions have been answered and even a few myths dispelled in this book. The liberal use of quotations from Darwin, Fitzroy, and others adds to the personal feel of the book. Those seeking more information or evidence are presented with a very complete set of references and notes at the back of the book which are on their own quite interesting. In short, an enjoyable and informative read that gives a unique and accurate perspective on Darwin's time in Galapagos.

Darwin in Galapagos
For readers interested in Charles Darwin or the Galapagos Islands or for those readers who have a naturalist bent, Darwin in Galapagos is an outstanding book. Ms Grant and Mr. Estes, a married couple, are naturalists with extensive experience on Galapagos. Ms Grant, in particular, must feel like a native because she is the daughter of Peter and Rosemary Grant, scientists from Princeton, who have spent a huge amount of time on Galapagos over the past several decades studying Darwin's finches in amazing detail. I highly recommend Jonathan Weiner's book The Beak of the Finch for those of you interested in evolution and Galapagos or who want to see how Thalia Grant's parents spent their time.

As the subtitle indicates, Darwin in Galapagos is an effort to track Darwin's footsteps through Galapagos when he spent five weeks there in 1835 during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. The authors give us background on Darwin's early days in England, then spend a few chapters dealing with the voyage before it reached Galapagos, and then focus on his time in the islands. The last part of the book covers on a broad scale Darwin's time back in England after the voyage as he struggled with understanding what his findings really meant. I found all of this to be interesting.

My favorite part was the chapters about his time in Galapagos. I spent some time there three years ago and found the islands to be fascinating places. I greatly enjoyed reading about the authors' efforts to track Darwin and their descriptions of his investigations into the geology, flora, and fauna to be found in Galapagos. The book is well illustrated, gives detailed information, and is academic in nature. Lots of footnotes and references in the back.

Galapagos delight
"Darwin In Galapagos:Footsteps to a New World" is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the Galapagos Islands.It is extremely well written by a couple who are intimately familiar with the islands, and their enthusiasm is infectious.They take you on a journey that is infinitely interesting and well researched.They actually spent several years following in Darwin's footsteps which makes the book so fascinating. There are numerous maps which show in detail the routes taken by Charles Darwin on the four islands he visited.The photos of the flora and fauna are lovely, and the black and white photos compliment the text.I am leaving shortly to visit the islands and feel that this was a great help in preparing me for this unique experience.I will be taking this book along as an aid to help make my trip more inclusive and informative. Even if you are not traveling to Galapagos, I would eagerly recommend this book as the story is so well presented that you feel as if you have been there.I have read about the Galapagos for years, and this is one of the best of the lot; it satisfies the historian and the natural scientist alike. If there is any criticism, it would be that there aren't enough photos of the landscapes and animals. ... Read more

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Deep in the halls of scientific academia, a debate has been quietly raging between Darwinian macroevolution and the theory of Intelligent Design. Doubts About Darwin follows the key players in this debate, confronts the challenge of scientific naturalism and provides a stirring overview of this growing movement. Armed with lucid, scientifically grounded arguments, proponents of Intelligent Design have put evolutionists on the defensive.Who are the adherents of this emerging movement?Author Thomas Woodward traces events, personalities, and sociocultural factors that contributed to its growth; and examines the rhetorical dimensions that continue to fuel it.Doubts About Darwin shows that the erosion of certainty about the factual truth of Darwinism is the product of a rhetorical onslaught… the persuasive case making by highly accredited critics like Phillip Johnson, Michael Behe, and William Dembski. Accessible and compelling, Doubts About Darwin opens a dramatic door to moral and intellectual reformation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

A history of intelligent design
This book is simply Dr. Woodward's PhD dissertation on the history of the intelligent design movement.The book provides background on the movement's leaders including Dr. Michael Behe, Dr. William Dembski, and Mr. Philip Johnson, all of whom have all authored books debating the merits of Darwinian evolution.

The following review is about the book rather than whether or not I believe in Intelligent Design.
I am tired of reading reviews that rate the book simply based upon the reviewers bias whether it be pro-evolution or against.For that reason, I have found it necessary to write a review that actually discusses the contents of the book.

Doubts was originally Thomas Woodward's doctoral thesis which was then turned into a book. He seeks to explain the origins of the ID movement. He makes it clear that one of his main goals is to show that ID is based on sound scientific data rather than an attempt to repackage creationism, as it is often accused. I picked up this book because I was hoping for a unbiased approach to ID. I was hoping to first read a book without any bias that could set the stage for future study. Unfortunately, that is not what I found in Doubts. It's quite possible that I may never find a book of this nature with such a polarizing topic as evolution.

I will first tell the things that I like about Doubts. Although I believe that evolution should be taught, I do have a number of doubts regarding it. There are a lot of issues that have not yet been settled in my mind regarding its truthfulness. I agree with the ID people in that there doesn't seem to be enough transitional fossils. I can understand how a wolf and a dog might be related, or even a dog and a cat, but I find it difficult to relate an animal with a fully-functioning digestive system with an animal like an earthworm. Doubts succeeded in presenting even more such issues. In truth, Doubts did not present any issues, but rather it spoke of the issues brought forth by others such as Behe, Johnson, and Denton (to name but a few). I definitely have a lot of questions that beg to be answered by the Darwinists.

Doubts also succeeded in bringing to light the dogmatic nature displayed by some of the Darwinists. It is unfortunate, but clearly evident, that some scientists use Darwinism as a method of justifying their atheism. If scientists forward a view/theory based not on empirical evidence but rather upon philosophical predilection, then they are guilty of the same dogmatism they decry in the creationists. When scientists start pushing atheism, they have left the realm of science and entered into the realm of religion. Science is ill-equipped at dealing with the existence or non-existence of deity. Previously, I was under the impression that scientists generally observed this delineation, but Doubts has caused me to question whether science is doing a good enough job of minding its own business.

Lastly, Doubts succeeds in pointing out the key issue of this whole debate. Ultimately, the question is the axiom of naturalism held by science. Naturalism requires that science only investigate natural cause and effect. Naturalism precludes science from making theories that involve deity, for deity lies outside of this natural sphere. The ID movement claims that naturalism impedes science and that non-naturalist theories should be allowed. Evolution finds this to be ridiculous. But ultimately, that is the issue at stake.

Having given my positive views of Doubts, I ultimately feel that it is a poor book. Since it was adapted from a doctoral dissertation, it suffers from the thick over-inflated writing style that is so common in the scientific community. Things that could have been stated in a few simple words are expressed in a long string of obfuscated gibberish. The author finds it necessary to constantly explain the value of analogy and various other methods of rhetoric ad nauseum.

Poor writing is excusable, especially in a scholarly work, but blatant bias is not excusable. Woodward claims to be writing an unbiased history of ID, but one needs not dig too deep to find his strong pro-ID bias. Again and again I was approached with examples of Woodward presenting rebuttals by the ID movement while failing to give the Darwinists the same opportunity. Successes of ID were inflated with superlatives while their failures were glazed over as quickly as possible as if one of his doctoral had required he include their mention. I can never trust a work that claims to be unbiased when they can admit no fault with one side, yet that is what is presented in Doubts.

He also fails to effectively defend his primary thesis, that ID is a scientific movement rather than a theistic movement. Woodward goes out of his way to point out ways in which ID uses empirical evidence for their anti-evolutionary stance. Nevertheless, he fails to point out the dichotomy induced by such things as the wedge theory. The wedge theory is where Stephen Johnson (one of the founders of ID) states out-right that the long-term goal of ID is to get theistic principles taught in schools and universities. Again and again, through Woodward's own representation of the facts it feels that the ID movement is simply trying to conceal a strong theistic motive under the shroud of empirical validity. I agree with the judge of the Dover case, when he ruled that ID is simply a thin-veiled attempt at bringing God back into science.

Once again, I should note that I believe in Intelligent Design in a theistic sense. I believe that God created the universe and that God's hand is in the evolution and continued existence of this world. Nevertheless, I believe that science has no business dabbling in non-naturalistic explanations to natural phenomenon. Such explorations provide us with nothing.

Therefore, I do not recommend this book. If you want to get the ID view, read a book by the founders of ID. Read one of the books that are unabashedly biased, rather than a book that tries to hide its bias. I have no problem with a book being biased. Any book trying to put forth a particular argument is going to be, by necessity, heavily laden with bias. Rather than read this book, read Darwin on Trial or Of Pandas and People. Doubts does little more than explain the contents of those books.

A biased history of intelligent design in the pro-ID direction
Are intelligent design proponents disinterested pursuers of the truth, honestly persuaded that the mainstream theory of evolution has serious problems? Or are they closet theocrats, trying to sneak a religious theory into the schools by covering it with a scientific veneer? Barbara Forrest and Paul Gross argue for the latter in Creationism's Trojan Horse, while Woodward presents the former view.

Woodward is very interested in the rhetoric of science and how this affects its pursuits. However we may see science as going after truth, in practice it is done by human beings in a social setting, and persuading one's fellow scientists can involve more than showing them the evidence.

And Woodward is not above using rhetoric for his own ends, with his word choices frequently betraying his pro-ID bias. Teaching Darwinian evolution in schools is always "dogmatic," intelligent design is treated as "heresy", and critics of ID "scoff" at it. On the other side, the criticism of evolution by ID proponents is frequently "withering". However, Forrest and Gross are similarly biased in the other direction, so we'll let this go.

Woodward presents the genesis and growth of a movement, starting with Michael Denton's Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, which inspires Philip Johnson and Michael Behe into skepticism about evolution. Then Johnson writes Darwin on Trial, which brings in people like Dembski, Meyer, and others. And of course Behe writes his own book, Darwin's Black Box, which brought in the key ID concept of irreducible complexity, to go with ID's only other key concept so far, Dembski's design inference. The second-hand coverage is less than satisfying, and I think my time might well have been better spent reading primary sources, like Denton or Johnson, rather than this retelling.

Of the two books, Woodward presents the better-written and better-organized story. That doesn't mean that it's true, though. What becomes interesting is what he leaves out. There's no mention of the Discovery Institute's "Wedge Document," which clearly states that the goal of undermining evolution is to restore Christianity as an influential force in society and government. And Woodward vehemently denies that creationism and ID have anything in common, when it's now known that the very first ID book, Of Pandas and People, did a sloppy cut-and-paste to remove every mention of creationism and replace it with intelligent design - at exactly the same time that the Supreme Court decided that creationism could not be taught in schools. He also refers to the Kansas state standards of 1999 simply as "deemphasizing the teaching of macroevolution" without bothering to mention that they were co-authored by the president of the Creation Science Association, who believes in the six-day-creation story of the Bible.

What is important in the end, though, is not motivations but the truth. Mainstream evolutionary biologists must address any legitimate scientific issues that ID proponents bring forth, which they have done. (So far, at least in the mainstream view, none have held up to close scrutiny. Irreducible complexity was dealt satisfactorily with by mainstream biologists over 80 years ago, and the design inference is too context-dependent to be meaningful.)Meanwhile, it would be nice if the IDers would stick to the world of science until their hypotheses have greater support. As Eugenie Scott of the pro-evolution NCSE notes, the proper process for a theory to make its way into the schools is for the proponents of the theory to publish scientific works and argue them out with fellow scientists, not, as ID has done, make their very first publication (Of Pandas and People, as mentioned above) a high school textbook. That leads to a not unreasonable suspicion that the goals of the ID movement are not primarily scientific.

Woodward sees a growing ID movement (more rhetoric: he refers to an "explosion" of interest in ID, by which he means that those interested grew from a handful of scientists to a couple dozen). That remains to be seen. As even the "Wedge Document" notes, the bedrock of ID must be scientific publications, and that is where ID has been seriously lacking so far, with only a handful of scientific papers to its name so far, and that's with a generous reckoning. Meanwhile, in the political arena, ID has seen numerous setbacks, from Judge Jones's decision in the Kitzmiller v. Dover case that ID is not science (hailed by evolution supporters and derided by ID supporters, of course) to the loss of supporters in the Kansas state school board that led to the evolution-friendly standards recently being adopted. Meanwhile, the ID movement has retreated from wanting to be taught in schools (as indicated by the Pandas textbook) to wanting to "teach the controversy" to wanting to "discuss the problems."

Whatever one's opinion, though, it's clear that the controversy isn't going away any time soon. It remains to be seen, though, just what form the controversy will take. However, to best follow the controversy, read the relevant works themselves rather than books like these, which stand aside and observe the controversy.

Be a "fly on the wall"
This is a fascinating look at the history of intelligent design. Woodward does a marvelous job providing insights into the ID movement and its major players. Along the way, we are invited to be a "fly on the wall" as we observe the struggles and successes of such notable figures as Phillip Johnson, Michael Behe, and William Demski. This is simply a wonderful and enlightening read!

Doubts About Woodward's Optimism
Professor Thomas Woodward, Ph.D. teaches systematic theology, communications, and the history of science at Trinity College, Florida. Woodward's 2001 doctoral dissertation concerned the history of the Intelligent Design (hereafter, ID) movement, and in 2003 Baker Books (Grand Rapids, Michigan) published a reader-friendly revision of it entitled Doubts About Darwin (hereafter, Doubts). Subtitled A History of Intelligent Design, the book is, as a reviewer for Christianity Today observed, focused less on recording an unabridged history of ID "and more on the rhetoric of the movement."

Professor Woodward's several academic specialties and his long-term personal relationships with a number of key figures in the ID movement make him uniquely qualified to serve as a chronicler of the phenomenon. Indeed, Dr. Woodward's Doubts offers the same kind of eyewitness account of the birth and development of the modern ID movement as Dr. Luke's Acts did of nascent Christianity. However, Woodward's insider's perspective is not entirely without its drawbacks; at times Doubts' tone reads less like a dispassionate report and more like an advocate's polemic, calling into question the author's objectivity. Regrettably, that is not the book's most important deficit. Conspicuously absent from Doubts is the all-important role sin--i.e., humanity's willful rebellion against the lordship of the Intelligent Designer--has played and will continue to play in preventing mainstream biology from returning to a biblical paradigm of nature.

Regrettably, Doubts leaves the reader with the false impression that the ID movement is currently a tropical depression destined to become a category five hurricane, an unstoppable ideological force with the potential to level any and all competing theories in its path. Woodward seems certain that eventually, ID theory must prevail, since Neo-Darwinism has a fatal "reality" problem (200). His optimism, though admirable, is mysterious given the numerous troubling anecdotes and outcomes that have attended the modern ID movement since its infancy. Woodward himself observes that

The debaters are contending over the fundamental cultural story of humankind, and those who succeed at crafting and telling the most convincing story of origins hold in their hands supreme cultural authority. If any group, religious or scientific, gains the authority to present its own story as uniquely true and to label other stories as mythological, this group functions as the high priesthood of our time. (31)

If God-fearing priests persecuted Amos, the Apostle Paul, Martin Luther, and countless others, it seems extremely unlikely that the God-forsaking priests of secularism will ever willingly surrender their cultural authority. The idea that science is an insular, self-correcting discipline concerned only with the facts is also beset by a major "reality problem," namely the reality of sin.

The Bible makes plain empirical evidence for an Intelligent Designer has always been visible (Ps. 19:1-2; Rom. 1:20), but seeing that evidence requires eyes that are willing to see (cf. Jn. 12:37). Humans have resisted the lordship of the Intelligent Designer since the Fall in the Garden, which is why there will be no natural explanation too intellectually gymnastic for naturalists determined to retain the illusion that they are the lords of the earth. ID theory has and will continue to bring great comfort to those who are willing to submit to the truth, but Jesus warned that those who do evil prefer falsehood over truth (Jn. 3:19-20).
... Read more

Product Description

Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882) has been widely recognized since his own time as one of the most influential writers in the history of Western thought. His books were widely read by specialists and the general public, and his influence had been extended by almost continuous public debate over the past 150 years. New York University Press's new paperback edition makes it possible to review Darwin's public literary output as a whole, plus his scientific journal articles, his private notebooks, and his correspondence.

This is complete edition contains all of Darwin's published books, featuring definitive texts recording original pagination with Darwin's indexes retained. The set also features a general introduction and index, and introductions to each volume.

Customer Reviews (2)

Complete, Informative, but Biased
This offers great selections from various works of Darwin, including some that are hard to find.I found it invaluable for my research paper, although it is clearly biased in favor of Darwin (for instance, Darwin "discovered the _fact_ of evolution".)However, it is still a good source, and the commentary helps to elucidate some of the more confusing portions of the text.

Insightful without bias
Robert Jastrow does a wonderful job of explaining the various theories and mindsets of Charles Darwin without pressing any bias in the mix.Robert, if you read this, thank you once again for another outstanding read. ... Read more

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Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882) has been widely recognized since his own time as one of the most influential writers in the history of Western thought. His books were widely read by specialists and the general public, and his influence had been extended by almost continuous public debate over the past 150 years. New York University Press's new paperback edition makes it possible to review Darwin's public literary output as a whole, plus his scientific journal articles, his private notebooks, and his correspondence.

This is complete edition contains all of Darwin's published books, featuring definitive texts recording original pagination with Darwin's indexes retained. The set also features a general introduction and index, and introductions to each volume.

Product Description
Self-taught and ambitious, Charles Darwin is most famous for his groundbreaking-and to some still controversial-theory of evolution and natural selection. In Autobiographies the great scientist weighs his career and his life.

Darwin's memoir concentrates on his public career and towering scientific achievements but is also full of moments from his private life. There are lively anecdotes about his family and contemporaries, as well as haunting memories of a mother he never knew, a hot-tempered father he could never please, and lingering doubts about the fitness of the genes he was passing on to his heirs.

Autobiographies comprises a fragment Darwin wrote at the age of twenty-nine and the longer "Recollections" of 1876, showing a man toward the end of his life who stands isolated, dogged by illness and self-doubt. ... Read more

Product Description

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

Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882) has been widely recognized since his own time as one of the most influential writers in the history of Western thought. His books were widely read by specialists and the general public, and his influence had been extended by almost continuous public debate over the past 150 years. New York University Press's new paperback edition makes it possible to review Darwin's public literary output as a whole, plus his scientific journal articles, his private notebooks, and his correspondence.

This is complete edition contains all of Darwin's published books, featuring definitive texts recording original pagination with Darwin's indexes retained. The set also features a general introduction and index, and introductions to each volume.