Darwin's masterpiece helped shaped the cultural landscape of the world today. Now in a digestible, pocket format for the modern reader. Initially received with muted applause, Darwin's The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection was soon recognised as the breakthrough scientific advance that explained the evidence of the world around us, the place and history of humans, the connections between environment and evolution. Still regarded by some as radical, Darwin's contribution to world knowledge is immeasurable. This new, popular edition has been edited for the modern reader, to introduce Darwin's research in a digestible form. The FLAME TREE Foundations series features core publications which together have shaped the cultural landscape of the modern world, with cutting-edge research distilled into pocket guides designed to be both accessible and informative. AUTHOR: Born in Shrewsbury, England, in 1831 Charles Darwin embarked on a five-year survey voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle; his studies of specimens led him to formulate his theories. In 1859, he published his landmark book, On the Origin of Species. His impact in the world was such that he is often described as one of the most influential figures in human history.