On the Origin of Species

By: Charles Darwin

Narrated by: Peter Wickham

Perhaps the most influential science book ever written, On the Origin of Species has continued to fascinate for more than a century after its initial publication. Its controversial theory that populations evolve and adapt through a process known as natural selection led to heated scientific, philosophical, and religious debate, revolutionizing every discipline in its wake. With its clear, concise, and surprisingly enjoyable prose, On the Origin of Species is both captivating and edifying.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2016 Naxos AudioBooks

Well-performed presentation of a classic work of sophistry

Very well-read performance of this classic sophistical work, a must-hear for those without the time to read. Darwin combines half-truths, errors, appeals to ignorance, ridicule, aesthetic arguments, bluster, obfuscation, inundation with irrelevant data, hegemonic and elitist rhetoric, and equivocation to persuade his contemporaries that all biological diversity arose through innumerable successive slight variations, despite massive evidence to the contrary. A true masterpiece of argumentation that has stood the test of time.

Comprehensive genius

Darwin had an unusual ability to draw the right conclusions from data and to project it’s consequences (that geological history could read by observing relative changes of organisms). He is an inspiration to scientists any kind.

Classic, but still very relevant

The narration is superb, but Darwin sure did go into a lot of detail that most readers today probably will not be interested in. Still, I'd never take the time to read this myself, so I'm very happy there are narrations like this.

Astounding

Great performance, natural writing style, well articulated for a lay audience. It's humbling hearing such profound insights (and extreme depth of knowledge) from a man who didn't even know the mechanisms through which his theory operated (ie DNA, genetics, etc), as they had not been discovered yet (although Mendel was just about to start breaking through). This is a must-read for anyone who studied biology, and perhaps even more so for those who did not.

Aaaaaah! A THRILL to say the least.

so cool to finally listen to this classic. it is the pedestal of modern human knowledge. if you do not know science the vernacular will leave you a little confused.
there’re charts referred to but it’s still comprehensible.
definitely need to listen to more then once.
and again and again. never run out of new information you missed last time.

Wow what depth and understanding of the natural world. Well worth the time. The discussion of ants and bees is fascinating.

Nothing comes to mind as being deficient. I find a valid explanation of how our world has evolved over time.

Groundbreaking book.

He describes the evolutionary process in such depth and provides so much evidence that it really is a wonder that people still doubt it to this day. The first addition is a little easier to get through, but this (the 6th) edition addresses all of the faulty arguments put forth by his critics at the time. After all, it’s only a theory, just like gravity.

SPOILERS!

Knowing what he's building up to and how he phrases things is a delight.

The Genius of Charles Darwin

What a privilege it is to be able to listen and or read the genius of Charles Darwin, in his own words. Listening to the narration by Peter Wickham, I imagined was like being in the presence of the greatest of all Naturalists, Charles Darwin himself. Perter Wickham's pronunciations and articulate verbiage of not only the multiple languages such as French & Spanish, but of all the scientific wording was impeccable. Prio to listening to and then reading the full volume of not only "On the Origin of Species", but also "The Voyage of the Beagle", I found that some reviews pronounced this as bad science. Everyone is inclined to their own opinion, but mine is a most perfect science. Darwin was every measure a perfectionist who kept detailed records and measurements of most everything he touched. He then wrote prolifically and in a most detailed manner, that you would need to be able to understand all the variety of disciplines he mastered. Almost every known type of science, including Paleontology, Biology, Zoology, Ornithology, Botany, Entomology & Geology, the list is staggering and only Charles Darwin could bring it to life from the perspective of 1859. The 5-year voyage on the HMS Beagle starting on December 27th, 1831 gave Darwin the initiative to develop his theory of Natural Selection. What I learned the most from listening and reading is how many distinguished professors and other naturalists are frequently quoted as not only providing support but also detailed analysis of their own research from all the many countries around the globe. I also found it quite interesting how Darwin would at times give reason for a lack of evidence towards his own ideas, understanding that his knowledge was not perfect. This is most understandable as the science of DNA and microbiology was yet to be developed. I plan to continue my historical research as I learn to appreciate the genius of Charles Darwin. To listen fully to all 14 chapters can be a struggle as to the intensive detail of the species, but consider if you struggle, that you are not alone, as few mortals could have reached so far in so short of time.
Side note: We have as a species, advanced to appreciate the value and diversity in Race. Unfortunately, this was not the case during Darwin's life. You may certainly take offense at some of the quotes, but this is from another era, one that hopefully we can learn from their mistakes as well as their successes. We can all learn in this manner to value knowledge, from the past as well as the present. I hope you can appreciate the genius of Charles Darwin.

Historic ... a must read

I'm not sure I could "read" this book because it goes on forever. But it was good listen. You have to make allowances because of when it was written and tough sell it must have been over the creationists. Even though you already know all the concepts, it still makes one look at nature with a new perspective and marvel at the vast diversity of life.