First the only reason there is a star off is because of the Victorian prose. I just can barely stand it. However the arguments presented are well done and given plenty of evidence. Many a creationist seems to believe that Darwin pulled his theory out of thin air. He on the other hand did an amazing amount of research and while on a few things he was ignorant about (genetics, and molecular biology) for the most part he was dead on. Its not the easiest book to read and I will reread it again in the future for further study. To see how things have advanced I'd suggest a follow up read of [b:The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution|6117055|The Greatest Show on Earth The Evidence for Evolution|Richard Dawkins|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1302127919s/6117055.jpg|6295163] or [b:Why Evolution Is True|4005310|Why Evolution Is True|Jerry A. Coyne|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1347362408s/4005310.jpg|4051626]. Both books give a great update and give more evidence to why evolution is a fact and act of nature.