Charles Darwin - Cyril Aydon

Well-rounded and lively, this new life of one of the most written-about figures of history and science will be welcomed by all who have an interest in the man or his work. At moderate length, with wit, compassion and an obvious fondness for his subject, Cyril Aydon has produced a model biography.

In the beginning, one of the contributing factors to Darwin's success was the absence of any mundane need to earn a living - thanks to his family's wealth Dr Darwin's gifted son could devote all his time to his interests. But no one could have made better use of his advantages. Charles made major contributions to the study of geology, virtually invented the science of ecology, and produced two books - The Origin of Species and The Descent of Man - which changed for ever our view of life on earth and man's place in the natural order. Aydon's account combines historical accuracy with exemplary, lucid science. He explains what The Origin of Species was about, and offers a ringside seat at the splendid row that followed publication. And he enables the reader to appreciate fully the physical and intellectual excitement of the Beagle voyage.

In an extended postscript, the author follows the changing fortunes of Darwinian theories according to fashions in intellectual thought, and in the context of two centuries of scientific speculation and discovery - right up to the debate still raising its head in both the USA and the UK about the teaching of creationism alongside or instead of evolution, in our schools.