Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory Book

A sweeping history of the development of the theory and the personalities involved, from Cuvier and his outstanding cranium to the cranky competitiveness of James Watson. One of my favorite anecdotes is of the eccentric English theologian and proponent of theistic evolution, William Buckland, of whom Larson writes:

Buckland was a thoroughly rational Christian. When encountering an alleged miracle of martyr's blood perpetually wetting the floor of a Roman Catholic cathedral, he tested the hypothesis by licking the spot with his tongue. "Bat urine," the Anglican cleric pronounced.

Larson presents a layman's introduction to the theory with just enough detail to require some effort, but not enough to shoo away dilettantes like myself. More recent developments in genetics and the "modern synthesis" get a bit technical, but not excessively so. The book does what all good history-of-science books do: it inspires the reader to learn more.