Book review: ‘Sexual Selection’ by Marlene Zuk & Leigh W. Simmons

‘The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex’ by Charles Darwin

Darwin finally sets out to enlighten us on our origins.

160 years after Darwin ‘stirred up the mud’, the ‘controversy’ over evolution by means of natural selection was settled long ago, as far as the scientific community is concerned.

Newsletter No. 6: Building on a theory

To mark Charles Darwin’s 211th birthday, some thoughts on his 1871 classic, The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, an unlikely anecdote about a snail, plus all the usual book reviews and links to Darwin-related news stories.

Recent Articles

26-Apr-1882: Charles Darwin buried in Westminster Abbey

On 26th April 1882, Charles Darwin was buried in Westminster Abbey. How this honour came about is described by his son Francis Darwin in The Life and Letters of Charles Darwin…

03-Dec-1831: Darwin’s first night aboard HMS Beagle

Darwin records his experimentations with a hammock.

29-Jan-1839: Charles Darwin marries Emma Wedgwood

On 29th January 1839, after a short courtship and engagement, Charles Darwin married his cousin Emma Wedgwood at St Peter's Church, Maer, Staffordshire.

14-May-1856: Darwin starts writing his ‘big species book’

On 14 May 1856, Charles Darwin recorded in his journal that, on the advice of his friend Charles Lyell, after almost 20 years exploring the subject, he had finally begun writing a ‘sketch’ of his ideas on species.

Reviews

Book review: ‘The Laws of Thermodynamics’ by Peter Atkins

Book review: ‘Evolution’ by Brian & Deborah Charlesworth