As I find myself in the somewhat ironic situation of spending the anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin engaged in the writing of a review of one of the most problem-riden and downright aggravating books I’ve yet read about him, I thought I’d take a short break from that bit of drudgery to make a recommendation of one of the best collections I know of some of the most important and frequently referenced books he himself wrote: From So Simple a Beginning.

Comprised of Mr. Darwin’s four most significant books – Voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle (1845), The Origin of Species (1859), The Descent of Man (1871), and The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals (1872) – edited by the great E.O. Wilson, and published by W.W. Norton & Company, From So Simple a Beginning is the place where all those interested in the writings and ideas of Mr. Darwin should begin their reading.