Natural selection & genetics united. First edition, first printing of the most significant work of evolutionary biology of the twentieth century. A very attractive copy.

Though Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was widely accepted in his lifetime, the field was hampered by its inability to explain exactly how hereditary traits were transmitted. It was only with the independent rediscovery of Mendel's laws and the development of fruit fly genetics that the 'modern synthesis' of evolutionary theory and genetics was established.

'Dobzhansky's most significant contribution to science doubtless was his role in formulating the modern synthesis of evolutionary theory. His Genetics and the Origin of Species, first published in 1937, may be considered the most important book of evolutionary theory in the twentieth century' in which he 'completed the integration of Darwinsim and Mendelism in two ways. First, he gathered the empirical evidence that corroborated the mathematico-theoretical framework [of Fisher and Haldane]. Second, he extended the integration of genetics with Darwinism much beyond the range of issues treated by mathematicians, and into critical evolutionary issues — such as the process of speciation — not easily subject to mathematical treatment. Moreover, Dobzhansky's book was written in prose understandable to all biologists. The line of thought of Genetics and the Origin of Species is surprisingly modern — in part, no doubt — because that book established the pattern that successive evolutionary treatises would largely follow'. It was received 'with great excitement by the biological community' and 'would inspire other biologists to bring into the modern synthesis of evolutionary theory the contributions of such fields a systematics, paleontology, and botany. Equally or more important, Genetics and the Origin of Species provided a conceptual framework that would stimulate experimental research for many years' (Ayala, 'Theodosius Dobzhansky 1900-1975', National Academy of Sciences, pp 166-167).

First edition; 8vo; illustrations throughout the text, contemporary ownership inscription to the front pastedown, contents faintly toned; original blue cloth, titles to spine gilt, lower corner bumped, cloth very lightly rubbed with a couple of small marks, a very good copy; 364pp.