This is an auction for THE DESCENT OF MAN by Charles Darwin.

This is a Folio Society hardback, in its original slip case.

Introduction by Richard Dawkins.

From Wikipedia:

"The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, is a book by English naturalist Charles Darwin, first published in 1871, which applies evolutionary theory to human evolution, and details his theory of sexual selection, a form of biological adaptation distinct from, yet interconnected with, natural selection. The book discusses many related issues, including evolutionary psychology, evolutionary ethics, differences between human races, differences between sexes, the dominant role of women in mate choice, and the relevance of the evolutionary theory to society... It was Darwin's second book on evolutionary theory, following his 1859 work, On the Origin of Species, in which he explored the concept of natural selection and which had been met with a firestorm of controversy in reaction to Darwin's theory. A single line in this first work hinted at such a conclusion: "light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history". When writing The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication in 1866, Darwin intended to include a chapter including man in his theory, but the book became too big and he decided to write a separate "short essay" on ape ancestry, sexual selection and human expression, which became The Descent of Man. The book is a response to various debates of Darwin's time far more wide-ranging than the questions he raised in Origin..."

More on Wikipedia.

Folio Society hardback 2008.

727 pages.

Beautifully illustrated throughout.

A tiny label with the previous owner's name. Otherwise, near new condition.

The cost of shipping is $6.95. If you are on rural delivery the shipping cost will be $9.95.

There is of course no charge for shipping if you collect this book from my shop in Palmerston North following the auction.

Payment within seven days, please.