Origin of Species - Darwin

This is the first book that really made me angry. It took me a while to get to it because it's a pretty tough read. It actually wasn't enjoyable at all. I read it because it's in the category of books that people have heard about, think they know what it's about, but really don't. Admittedly I'm a creationist, but I just wanted to know what Darwin actually said.

I was shocked.

I've heard that Origin of Species was one of the most influential books of the 19th century. Certainly many say it is one of the most influential science books ever written, and it was quite popular when initially published.

I was blown away by two things. First, he never actually says that man descended from apes. He talks lots about pigeons, honeybees, a few plants, and some sea life. He tends to stay away from more complex life forms. Second, it's really filled with his thoughts and beliefs. He presents virtually no hard evidence at all for his ideas. Considering the scientific method was well developed by that time I'm shocked at the lack of real evidence. It's filled with conjecture, thoughts, and beliefs. He spends a chapter or two discussing why natural selection can't be proven.

Darwin's lack of proof in a "scientific" work angers me. While the lack of proof was his fault, worse is the world's reaction to hold Origin of Species up as a scientific treatise.

Value: 2/10
Enjoyment: 0/10

Opening salvo

Five years ago I realized there were a lot of so-called great books that I hadn't read. Some call these "classic" books, and there are several definitions of what makes a classic. To some, classics are books that have stood the test of time, that people still talk about (although most often in school).

As I've read some of these books, I've decided that for me, a classic is a book that changes the way I think. Although sometimes difficult to read or get into, these books change the way I think, or at least have made me go "hmmm" at one point or another. Recently, I've decided another definition of a classic is a book that people only talk about, that think they know what it's about, but really don't since they've never actually read it.