And for the man behind the theory try Charles Darwin’s Letters edited and
selected by Frederick Burkhardt (Cambridge, £14.95/$21.95, ISBN 0
521 56212 0), which takes him from his adolescent arrival at Edinburgh
University to the publication of The Origin of Species. They show Darwin as a
captivating correspondent. He is rueful at dropping an ecclesiastical career and
doubtful about joining the Beagle. But his enthusiasm soon grows, and his
excitement as his theory takes shape is catching.
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