Charles Darwin is a towering figure in the history of science, who changed the direction of modern thought by establishing the basis of evolutionary biology. This selection of his letters offers a fascinating window into his daily experience, scientific observations, personal concerns, and friendships. The letters afford a unique glimpse of Darwin as an engaging family man and naturalist, as well as a view of the Victorian world. From his early years at Edinburgh University to the publication of The Origin of Species in 1859, they chart the most exciting years of Darwin's life, including the voyage of the Beagle and the subsequent findings that led to his theory of natural selection. These letters, selected from the award-winning multi-volume Correspondence of Charles Darwin and introduced by Stephen Jay Gould, tell the human story behind the making of The Origin of Species. They make fascinating reading for a general audience.

"...no one could possibly match Darwin for fascination and appeal--a remarkably genial man who must inspire affection, but also a strikingly complex and often cryptic person, whose contradictory desires and influences cannot be resolved into coherence...the wonderfully expressive and richly varied letters of Charles Darwin represent one of the great dramas of western history." Stephen Jay Gould"This is the human story behind the making of The Origin of Species. Frederick Burkhardt has selected the most fascinating letters, to reveal the private life of a minor squire's son whose dark secret was destined to shake the world. A perfect compendium." Adrian Desmond"...the whole gathering of letters constitutes a fascinating tale. In communication with an astonishing range of correspondence, Darwin begins his interest in natural science seemingly as we watch. His correspondence comes from and exemplifies the arguably highest point of written documentation....These letters put us at the elbow of a brilliant man as he gives birth to some of the most significant ideas in the history of science." Dennis Walters, Booklist"...an intimate window upon one of the most epochal historical events of the modern age: the development of the theory of evolution." The Boston Book Review"If...you're interested in the history of science, the perfect book for you is this slim volume of selected letters with an engaging foreword by Stephen Jay Gould. This manageable volume covers Darwin's university days through the publication of On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859)." Catherine Gildiner, Toronto Globe and Mail"It is a book to be read and enjoyed....Those looking to gain a flavor of Darwin's own style of letter writing and of the man himself will find Charles Darwin's Letters sufficient. Letters written by an intersting and lively individual writing about intersting things, and who is writing only for his correspondent and not with an eye on history, are a pleasure to read. Darwin, especially the younger Darwin, was such a letter writer....Gould's description of the letters dealing with the decision to publish Origin of the Species would serve as an evaluation of many of the letters published in this volume..." Marc Rothenberg, Magillis Literaru Annual"...this attractively reproduced and well-annotated selection is extremely welcome....This book provides much illumination of Darwin's personal and scientific development , and can be read with pleasure by anyone with an interest in the history of biology." Brian Charlesworth, Plant Science Bulletin"...the book is attractive...I recommend these selected letters to anyone with an interest in Charles Darwin." Earth Sciences History

Charles Darwin stands as an icon in the history of science; a man who completely changed the direction of modern thought by establishing the basis of evolutionary biology. From his early years at Edinburgh University up to the publication of The Origin of Species in 1859, the letters in this volume chart the most exciting years of Darwin's life.

Charles Darwin stands as a towering figure in the history of science, who changed the direction of modern thought in establishing the basis of evolutionary biology. This unique selection of his letters offers a fascinating window onto the daily experience of Darwin as naturalist and family man, from his early years at Edinburgh University up to the publication of The Origin of Species in 1859. The voyage of the Beagle and the subsequent findings that led to his theory of natural selection are central to these most exciting years of Darwin's life.

'Charles Darwin's Letters show Darwin as a captivating correspondent ... his excitement as his theory takes shape is catching.' New Scientist

Foreword by Stephen Jay Gould; Introduction by Frederick Burkhardt; Editorial note; The Darwin and Wedgwood family tree; Prologue; Edinburgh; Cambridge; The Offer; South America - East Coast; South America - West Coast; Homeward Bound; 1837; 1838; 1839-1843; 1844; 1845; 1846; 1847; 1848; 1849; 1850; 1851; 1852; 1853; 1854; 1855; 1856; 1857; 1858; 1859; Notes; Biographical register; Bibliography of biographical sources; Bibliographical note; Index.