Pro- or anti-Darwin, evolutionism versus creationism the dispute concerning evolutionary theory is one of the hottest issues in public debate on both sides of the Atlantic. This book's author introduces the reader to evolutionary theory, originally developed by Charles Darwin and then continually updated and modified - and helps her understand its central meaning, which concerns three concurrent forces: variation, transmission of this variation among generations, natural selection. The author also deals with other complex mechanisms that complete the theory's core - migrations, hybrids, biosphere turmoil - and lead to nature's unexpected surprise: the appearance of Homo Sapiens, a mere twig in the minor hominid offshoot on the tree of life.

Telmo Pievani teaches Philosophy of Science at the University of Milan-Bicocca.