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DVD Description
“… elegant, exciting, and genuinely informative…It was fascinating, and thoroughly engaging.” --Independent
Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution sent shockwaves through the nineteenth century world, but its impact has continued to be potent and widespread – in society, religion, politics and science. Andrew Marr’s fascinating documentary series tells the story of Darwin’s amazing legacy…
Recounting some of the experiences which shaped Darwin’s thinking during his famous voyage on The Beagle and explaining how the theory broke out from the world of science, Andrew Marr tells of the impact of this revolutionary idea and how it came to challenge so many aspects of society.
Natural Selection was an incendiary concept that was equally appropriated and misappropriated: it inspired Nietzsche and Freud, but was used by those justifying slavery and World War I slaughter; the Nazis used it to validate their Final Solution, but it was a founding idea behind the democratic, anti-racist values of the United Nations; it was the basis of eugenics, but has been used to eliminate a fatal genetic disease. Darwinism is still a pervading infl uence, fuelling environmentalist concerns, educational debate and predictive DNA dilemmas. As inspiring and disturbing today as it was 150 years ago, this series is proof that Darwin’s bombshell remains a truly dangerous idea.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
This is a very well done and thought provoking series which adds to and complements David Attenborough's one off Tree of Life programme. That was concerned solely with Natural History and how Darwin's theory tied all living things together. This series explores the effects that idea has had on society and its exploitation for political ends vastly different and indeed contrary to what Darwin intended. There was no scientific basis or justification for these abuses, but Darwin was used to underpin prejudices and ill-advised policies. The refutation of these abuses and the use of his ideas to support entirely different principles was also well explained.
It also shows how his ideas are important as we seek to prevent biodiversity loss and mitigate climate change.
The series certainly shows that his theory is as relavant to current events as to the past and all in all is an excellent account of an aspect that could have been missed on this anniversary.
It also shows how his ideas are important as we seek to prevent biodiversity loss and mitigate climate change.
The series certainly shows that his theory is as relavant to current events as to the past and all in all is an excellent account of an aspect that could have been missed on this anniversary.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Fascinating, highly informative, and extremely thought provoking! Well written and powerfully presented by Andrew Marr, this is an exceptional mini-series. Thorough research and beautiful filming add to its magic and great archive material and tight editing complete the package.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
The history, the facts, this documentary has it all. The narration will keep your attention focused on how the world is forever changing. Excellent entertainment!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another centenary look at Charles Darwin
Andrew Marr is a very experienced journalist, more well-known for presenting current affairs programmes rather than fronting science programme. Read more
Published 5 months ago by RR Waller
The use and abuse of Darwinism.
This is an easy 5 star for anyone interested in evolution, social history or the environment, Andrew Marr does an excellent job. There are 3 episodes.
1. Read more
1. Read more
Published 20 months ago by rossuk
Darwin's Dangerous Idea
When speaking from a 20/21'st Century viewpoint it is easy to ridicule the Bible based world of our Victorian forefathers; but we should remember that Biblical morality had... Read more
Published on 24 April 2010 by C. W. Bradbury
Get the book as well- not the book of the film
There is no copywrite in titles which is why Andrew Marr and the BBC can reuse the title of Daniel Dennett's truly brilliant and thought provoking book of the same name. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2010 by Post enlightenment
Darwins Dangerous Idea
Watched with my 10 year old daughter, and we both found it
facinating and educational.
facinating and educational.
Published on 10 Jun 2009 by Mr. K. J. Penfold
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