I'm with you on the evolution bit and think you might enjoy reading a modern update on Darwin's work. The title is "Darwin's Ghost" by Steve Jones, and it updates each of Darwin's "Origin" chapters with great respect and ... modern knowledge.
Thank you; I appreciate it.
Now, just to check, Google yielded two books with similar titles: “Darwin’s Ghost: The Origin of Species Updated” and another by the name of “Darwin’s Ghosts: The Secret History of Evolution” - I assume you mean the former, which is listed as an update on the prose and data involved; is that correct? The latter appears to be a history lesson going over evolutionary thought and natural history from Aristotle to Darwin.
I’ll admit, I’ve actually not read much in the way of literature on evolution aimed at laymen; I always cringe a little whenever someone asks me to recommend them a book to explain evolution to them, since my education on the topic was academic; textbooks and professors and primary papers (oh my!). Amusingly, I do list among those who has never actually read On the Origin of Species; I may have to pick up a copy as you suggest - thanks again for that.
A quick question: I’ve been a little nervous about making an account, as I figured the evolutionary position wouldn’t have a lot of fans around here, and that might get me some animosity. Would you say that’s true?