ORIGIN STORY The Trials of Charles Darwin

On the face of it, an audiobook about the publication of and critical reaction to Charles Darwin's ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES wouldn't appear to be engaging. But Mike Cooper's smooth narration and charming British accent make this audiobook more accessible than its print cousin. Nonetheless, a rudimentary knowledge of Darwin's life and theories is necessary to understand the work. Cooper breaks up complex sentences into easy-to-follow chunks. Extended quotes come from printed sources, so Cooper wisely doesn't give speakers unique inflections or accents, but he does distinguish between speakers effectively. He adds a touch of flippancy when the author describes the lively exchanges between pro- and anti-Darwinian scientists. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2024]