On the Origin of Species

The original "big idea" book that changed natural science and transformed humanity's understanding of their place in the world—and remains controversial to this day.

First published in 1859, On the Origin of Species introduced Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection to the world and, by extension, the role of evolution in natural biology and species development. By inferring through observation that species evolved over an immense amount of time, Darwin was able to articulate the basis...