Darwin's Fossils

Cover a jaw bone on white background with book title.

Discoveries that Shaped the Theory of Evolution

By: Adrian Lister

Explore Darwin's pioneering work on fossils in this richly illustrated book.

In On the Origin of Species Charles Darwin credited his discoveries of fossils, as much as those of living creatures, as the stimulus for his theory of evolution. Darwin's Fossils is an accessible account of his pioneering work on fossils, his adventures in South America and his relations with the scientific establishment. + Full description

While Darwin's work on Galapagos finches is celebrated, his pioneering work on fossils is much less well known. He was the first to collect the remains of giant extinct South American mammals; he worked out how coral reefs and atolls formed; he excavated and explained marine fossils high in the Andes; and he discovered a fossil forest that now bears his name. All of this was fundamental in leading him to his theory of evolution. Many of Darwin's fossils survive, at the Natural History Museum and elsewhere, and recent years have seen a surge of scientific interest and research into them.

Richly illustrated with new photography of many of the fossils, superb line drawings produced in the 19th century, and newly-commissioned artists’ reconstructions of the extinct animals as understood today, Darwin's Fossils reveals how fossils played a crucial role in the development of his revolutionary ideas.

- Short description

News

Darwin's Fossils is published in conjunction with The Natural History Museum, London.

Sales in Australia and New Zealand only. Elsewhere, this title is available through The Natural History Museum.

Reviews

"Even if you’re not a geologist/palaeontologist (as I most certainly am not), this book should enthral and delight you. Lister writes with lively clarity, and his text is supplemented to repletion by numerous photos and illustrations, of the sites, of fossils, of living animals and reconstructions of extinct ones, of Darwin’s notes and drawings. If you’re interested enough to be reading this brief review, I couldn’t imagine that this superb book won’t excite you as much as it has me."
Ian Fraser, Natural History Reviews Newsletter 26, June 2018

"Copiously illustrated and suitable for general readers as well as the science savvy, Darwin’s Fossils is a quick, easy read that provides a fascinating overview of the naturalist’s wide-ranging fieldwork during the Beagle voyage."
Sid Perkins, ScienceNews magazine 193(7), April 2018

"A welcome addition to the ever-growing body of literature dealing with the life and work of Darwin."
Publishers Weekly, April 2018

"As naturalist on the ship's 1831–36 voyage to South America, Darwin came into his own as a geologist, illuminating the formation of coral reefs and continental uplift. And, as palaeobiologist Adrian Lister details in this deft, beautifully illustrated account, no less important were Darwin’s discoveries of gargantuan mammal fossils"
Nature, Vol 555, March 2018

"Overall this was an enjoyable and informative read, and it is recommended to specialists and non-specialists alike."
Catherine Reid, Geoscience Society of New Zealand 26, November 2018

"The portrayal of Darwin’s incredible enthusiasm for science in Darwin’s Fossils encouraged me to learn more about this important historical figure, and made me want to be a better scientist. I have been recommending this book to anyone who will listen!"
Dr Emily Finch, Focus Magazine, September 2018

Details

Paperback | April 2018 | $ 29.95
ISBN: 9781486309450 | 224 pages | 230 x 173 mm
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Colour photographs, Illustrations

Features

A fascinating account of Darwin’s groundbreaking work on fossils
Richly illustrated with 19th century line drawings, reconstructions of extinct species and colour photography
Written by expert Professor Adrian Lister from the Natural History Museum, London, which holds the largest collection of works by and about Charles Darwin

Authors

Professor Adrian Lister is a Merit Researcher in the Earth Sciences Department at the Natural History Museum. His research is centred on Quaternary mammal fossils to enhance our understanding of processes of evolution and species extinction. He is a Fellow of the Zoological Society of London and writes and contributes regularly to publications and books.