Super Short Summary

Darwin on Man by Howard E. Gruber and Paul H. Barrett offers a comprehensive look at Charles Darwin's early "M and N notebooks," revealing his intricate thought processes as he formulated the theory of natural selection. Through these annotations and Gruber's introduction, the book portrays Darwin as a creatively imaginative scientist who drew on hard work and deductive reasoning, challenging the notion of sudden "eureka" moments and the myth of inherent genius. The volumes also highlight Darwin's profound appreciation for the arts, philosophy, and humanistic feelings, contradicting views that depicted him as a mere fact-collector. Topics include the nature of beauty and unconventional human behavior.