[[File:vicsens.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px]]Evolutionary science has become a contentious topic in recent years – its it's been vilified as a contributing factor to immortality, and conversely, it’s been hailed as the most important biological discovery of our time. When theories of evolution first became well known among “scientists” and laymen This scientific theory has become a demarcating political bastion -- a line in the late 18thsand that divides liberal and conservative, religious believer and non-centurybeliever, they were met with great condemnation. Christianity young and evolution were seen by most as simply irreconcilable – if God had made each species old, educated and created man in his own image, how could evolution account for this?uneducated.
The answer to this question is far from simple, When theories of evolution first became well known among “scientists” and as we can seelaymen in the late 18th-century, it is still very relevant, even almost 200 years later. What follows is they were met with a list similar blend of books that should help us better understand the place of evolutionary theory during its infancycondemnation and fascination. Most notably, Christianity and evolution were seen by most as simply irreconcilable – if God had made each species and thereby give us a better understanding of why it remains so controversial created man in modern times. his own image, how could evolution be correct?
The answer to this question is far from simple, and as we can see, it is still very relevant, even almost 200 years later. What follows is a list of books that will help us better understand the place of evolutionary theory during its infancy, and thereby give us a better understanding of why it remains so controversial in modern times. [[File:polevo.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px]]1. ''[https://www.amazon.com/Victorian-Sensation-Extraordinary-Publication-Authorshipgp/dpproduct/0226744116/ref=sr_1_1as_li_tl?sie=UTF8&camp=books1789&creative=9325&iecreativeASIN=UTF80226744116&qidlinkCode=1508132572as2&srtag=1dailyh0c-120&keywordslinkId=victorian+sensation 8cec5969ed4e42a21072b5717657a6b6 Victorian Sensation: The Extraordinary Publication, Reception, and Secret Authorship of Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation ]'' by James A. Secord]. This groundbreaking work deals with the publication of a work entitled The Vestiges (University of the Natural History of Creation, published anonymously in 1844 by a geologist named Robert Chambers. Many don’t know thisChicago Press, but Chambers’ treatise was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the reception of Darwin’s theory of evolution in 18592003.)
[[File:vicsensThis groundbreaking work deals with the publication of a work entitled ''The Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation'', published anonymously in 1844 by a geologist named Robert Chambers. Many don’t know this, but Chambers’ treatise was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the reception of Darwin’s theory of evolution in 1859.jpg|200px]]
2. ''[https://www.amazon.com/Charles-Darwin-Biography-Vol-Voyaginggp/dpproduct/0691026068/ref=sr_1_1as_li_tl?sie=booksUTF8&iecamp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=UTF80691026068&qidlinkCode=1508132599as2&srtag=1dailyh0c-120&keywordslinkId=browne+darwin 99f91a617d085b6b7202563db1581ce2 Charles Darwin: A Biography, Vol. 1 – Voyaging ] & [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0691114390/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0691114390&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a8f666992f3541ca6f01fd4dc9d70088 Vol. 2 – The Power of Place ]'' by Janet Browne]. Most historians of science see Browne’s two-part biography of Charles Darwin as the most thorough and engaging work on Darwin’s life and the creation of his theory of evolution by natural selection. Browne draws on countless sources(Princeton University Press, including personal letters and journals to give her reader a crystal-clear picture of Darwin’s frame of mind before publishing On the Origin of Species in 18592005. )
3. [https://www.amazon.com/PoliticsMost historians of science view Browne’s two-Evolution-Morphology-Conceptual-Foundations/dp/0226143740/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1508132631&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Politics+part biography of Charles Darwin as the most thorough and engaging work on Darwin’s life and the creation of+Evolution+by+Adrian+Desmond The Politics his theory of Evolution evolution by Adrian Desmond]natural selection. This workBrowne draws on countless sources, as its name suggests, deals with how ideas about evolution were taken up by reform-minded including Darwin's personal letters and politically frustrated artisans journals to further reformist agendasgive her reader a crystal-clear picture of Darwin’s frame of mind before publishing ''On the Origin of Species'' in 1859.
3. ''[[Filehttps:polevo//www.amazon.jpg|200px]com/gp/product/0226143740/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0226143740&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=3f7df33381e73151ed7832a504ad9890 The Politics of Evolution:: Morphology, Medicine, and Reform in Radical London]'' by Adrian Desmond (University of Chicago Press, 2011.)
This work, as its name suggests, deals with how ideas about evolution were taken up by disenfranchised, politically agitated, and reform-minded peoples in Britain, Europe, and America to further populist agendas. [[File:darghosts.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px]]4. ''[https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-History-Peter-J-Bowlergp/dpproduct/0520261283/ref=sr_1_1as_li_tl?sie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=books9325&iecreativeASIN=UTF80520261283&qidlinkCode=1508132655as2&srtag=1dailyh0c-120&keywordslinkId=Evolution%3A+The+History+of+an+Idea+by+Peter+J.+Bowler 5f1f6e63446181cd3516a49ac45aca02 Evolution: The History of an Idea ]'' by Peter J. Bowler]. This is a great work for those who are looking for a primer on this history of evolutionary thought both before and after Charles Darwin. It offers a wealth (University of references for those who wish to further pursue the topicCalifornia Press, 2009.)
5. [https://www.amazon.com/Huxley-Devils-Disciple-Evolutions-Priest/dp/0201959879/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1508132677&sr=1-1&keywords=Huxley%3A+From+Devil%E2%80%99s+Disciple+to+Evolutions+High+Priest+by+Adrian+Desmond Huxley: From Devil’s Disciple to Evolutions High Priest by Adrian Desmond]. Thomas Henry Huxley was known as “Darwin’s bulldog”. Huxley This is perhaps most well known a great work for those who are looking for coining a primer on the term “agnostic” in 1869history of evolutionary thought both before and after Charles Darwin. While Darwin’s adhered to Bowler's work offers a more genteel version wealth of his theory of evolution, Huxley debated anyone he could on its truthsreferences for those who wish to further pursue the topic.
65. ''[https://www.amazon.com/Darwins-Ghosts-Secret-History-Evolutiongp/dpproduct/08129817070201959879/ref=sr_1_1as_li_tl?sie=booksUTF8&iecamp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=UTF80201959879&qidlinkCode=1508132697as2&srtag=1dailyh0c-120&keywordslinkId=darwin%27s+ghosts Darwin’s Ghosts0ce30c7f739854c170e47a1ee748154c Huxley: The Secret History of Evolution by Rebecca StottFrom Devil’s Disciple to Evolutions High Priest]. This far-reaching work seeks to explore evolutionary ideas that preceded Darwin '' by centuries. Stott gives credence to the bravery of evolutionary theoristsAdrian Desmond (Helix Books, from Aristotle to Darwin, for their willingness to defy societal norms1999.)
[[File:darghostsThomas Henry Huxley was known as “Darwin’s bulldog”. Huxley is perhaps most well known for coining the term “agnostic” in 1869. While Darwin adhered to a more genteel version of his theory of evolution, Huxley debated anyone he could as to the theory's truths.jpg|200px]]
76. ''[https://www.amazon.com/Darwins-Sacred-Cause-Slavery-Evolutiongp/dpproduct/05470552690812981707/ref=sr_1_1as_li_tl?sie=booksUTF8&iecamp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=UTF80812981707&qidlinkCode=1508132731as2&srtag=1dailyh0c-120&keywordslinkId=Darwin%E2%80%99s+Sacred+Cause%3A+How+a+Hatred+of+Slavery 61cd7a4a8d1693e9e65474bfdf2525dd Darwin’s Sacred CauseGhosts: How a Hatred The Secret History of Slavery Shaped Darwin’s Views on Human Evolution ]'' by Adrian Desmond and James Moore]. This relatively new work examines Darwin’s views on evolution as a product of his passionate hatred of slavery. The authors posit that Darwin’s abolitionist passion ultimately compelled him to publish his theory on evolutionRebecca Stott (Spiegel & Grau, despite its notions being extremely controversial at the time. 2013)
8. [https://www.amazon.com/Evolutionary-TheoryThis far-reaching work explores evolutionary ideas that preceded Victorian-Culture-Control/dp/1591020034/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1508132756&sr=1-1&keywords=Evolutionary+Theory+%26+Victorian+Culture+evolutionary concepts by+Martin+Fichman Evolutionary Theory & Victorian Culture by Martin Fichman]many centuries. This book is an excellent primer Stott gives credence to the bravery of evolutionary theorists, from Aristotle to Darwin, for those looking their willingness to learn more about how evolutionary theory was perceived among different facets of Victorian societydefy societal norms.
97. ''[https://www.amazon.com/Darwin-Tormented-Evolutionist-Adrian-Desmondgp/dpproduct/03933115030547055269/ref=sr_1_1as_li_tl?sie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=books9325&iecreativeASIN=UTF80547055269&qidlinkCode=1508132786as2&srtag=1dailyh0c-120&keywordslinkId=Darwin%3A+The+Life+of+ec1e54f3b205c0be863531e42d458d73 Darwin’s Sacred Cause: How a+Tormented+Evolutionist+by+Adrian+Desmond+and+James+Moore Darwin: The Life Hatred of a Tormented Evolutionist Slavery Shaped Darwin’s Views on Human Evolution]'' by Adrian Desmond and James Moore]. Before Janet Browne’s two-part biography (University of Darwin was publishedChicago Press, this was the go-to book for those seeking to learn more about Charles Darwin and the world in which he lived.2011)
10This relatively new work examines Darwin’s views on evolution as a product of his passionate hatred of slavery. The authors posit that Darwin’s abolitionist passion ultimately compelled him to publish his theory on evolution, despite his findings being extremely controversial at the time, especially for a gentleman of Darwin's social standing. [[File:vicsci.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px]]8. ''[https://www.amazon.com/Victorian-Science-Context-Bernard-Lightmangp/dpproduct/02264811231591020034/ref=sr_1_1as_li_tl?sie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=books9325&iecreativeASIN=UTF81591020034&qidlinkCode=1508132148as2&srtag=1dailyh0c-120&keywordslinkId=96a99fae47c995a151556396805df554 Evolutionary Theory & Victorian+Science+in+Context+by+Bernard+Lightman Victorian Science in Context Culture]'' by Bernard Lightman]. While this book is not solely about evolutionary theory, it is, arguablyMartin Fichman (Humanity Books, one of the best works on Victorian science and society ever published. It masterfully illustrates the climate in which evolutionary theory was received.2002)
This book is an excellent primer for those looking to learn more about how evolutionary theory was perceived among different facets of Victorian society. 9. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393311503/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0393311503&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=bcc05baf840dd801f11214b9806feea9 Darwin: The Life of a Tormented Evolutionist]'' by Adrian Desmond and James Moore (W.W. Norton & Company, 1994) Before Janet Browne’s two-part biography of Darwin was published, this was the go-to book for those seeking to learn more about Charles Darwin and the world in which he lived. 10. ''[Filehttps:vicsci//www.jpg|200px]amazon.com/gp/product/0226481123/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0226481123&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4058cc1aa5dc0f799a1ee713f1743c7b Victorian Science in Context]'' by Bernard Lightman (The University of Chicago Press, 1997) While this book is not solely about evolutionary theory, it is, arguably, one of the best works on Victorian science and society ever published. It contains a collection of essays which masterfully illustrate the climate in which evolutionary theory was received.
