pseudobug

Anyone here read "Victorian Sensation" by James A. Secord? If you haven't and get a chance
and would like a little insight into how the path for the acceptence of Darwin's "Origin of Species" was eased, you should check it out.

Basically Secord's book describes how a an anonymous book, <a href="http://www.jmvanwyhe.freeserve.co.uk/vestiges.htm" target="_blank">Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation. </a>, published in 1844 in Great Britain (a 5 minute version of "Vestiges" <a href="http://www.thoemmes.com/science/vestiges_intro.htm" target="_blank">can be found here</a>), was received by the public, scientists and clergy in Victorian England. In Secord's book, he goes into extraordinary detail about the reception of the book by the "educated" and elite classes of England as well as by the "commoners" cahsed a great stir with the introduction of a "godless" theory of man's creation.

It is a pretty fascinating read, though somewhat tedious at times. Secord goes into great detail about the publishing industry in Britain in the first half of the 1800's as well as descriptions and impressions (from diaries) of people from different classes who read "Vestiges" prior to Darwin's theory being released. Additionally, Secord extensively documents a several years-long exchange of sniping in reviews of vestiges amongst the press in Great Britain. One of the most interesting aspects of the book is, however, the clergy's response to the "scandelous" heresy of a book that did not necessarily require God intervening in the "origin" of man.

If anyone is interested, you can check out a review of <a href="http://www.complete-review.com/reviews/publish/secordja.htm" target="_blank">Victorian Sensation</a>. Secord's book really reminded me that no matter how much things change, in some ways, they stay the same.

[ March 21, 2002: Message edited by: pseudobug ]

[ March 21, 2002: Message edited by: pseudobug ]

[ March 22, 2002: Message edited by: pseudobug ]</p>