Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory

This book is an easily accessible history of the idea of evolution. From its pre-Darwinian origin (Darwin did not discover evolution but rather a mechanism that drives evolution), to the modern synthesis, to the modern creationist debates it is all here. Unlike what we would typically find in a history book, this book is a fun read. The author spends enough time with the details of the individuals involved that you feel like you're actually reading about a human being and not just a fact. This is a more complete history than the six evolution textbooks sitting on my shelf (which all dedicate only one chapter to the subject of history). This is a must read for the student of evolution and a highly recommended read for the student of biology. I would also recommend it to the anti-evolutionist after all, it is a succinct history, an easy read and it covers the beginning of the creationist movement and some of the major players.
The book requires no pre-existing knowledge of evolution and thus is accessible to all. The narration is excellent and clear.

The audio presentation itself was excellent, but the book was not what I hoped. I thought it would have much more about current scientific discoveries. Instead it was more about the history of the conflict between religion and evolution. If you're interested in that topic, the reader is very engaging.

This book is an excellent presentation of the twisted and turns that took place during the forging of this theory. Most people have the wrong impression that Darwin alone "created" the idea of evolution. This book is an excellent review of the human history involved in shaping of this theory.

Highly recommended for science or history buffs.