The Firmament of Time

Profound, poetic in its prose, and vividly entrancing.
Hearkening from 1960, this collection of essays is stated as stemming from a series of lectures that the author gave as a visiting professor of philosophy at the University of Cincinnati. As the fourth collection of essays by Dr. Eiseley that I've now read, I can say with some confidence that I continue to be thrilled with his subject matter, turn of a phrase, and overall though process which comes through on the page quite vividly.
Yes, the edition that I read is a 'first edition'. I found it in a used bookstore somewhere in the past couple of years.

The author provides a historical account of the development of the theory of evolution. He has researched the relevant figures of the time. His writings are a collection of six lectures. The working is flowery and symbolic. I prefer an author to be more to the point. He comes across as trying to be scholarly and intelectual as opposed to merely reporting his concepts and knowledge.

from cover 'The author is a master of the technical matter. His prose is hauntingly beautiful. ...The book tells more about the history of the development of scientific thought than many a heavy tome or set of books.'-Moris E. Opler, New York Herald Tribune 'This is a sensitive and stirring book...and no one who reads these lectures will fail to take their meaning, to be disturbed, enlightened and refreshed.'-Scientific American 'It is doubtful if anyone ever said more on so large a subject in so short a compass.'-Joseph Wood Krutch, Saturday Review 'An irresistible inducement to partake of the almost forgotten excitements of reflection.'-The New Yorker 'His clear expositions constitute a brilliant history of mans's scientific show more thought about the world in which he lives.'-American Scholar Contents I How the World Became Natural II How Death Became Natural III How Life Becam Natural IV How Man Became Natural V How Human is Man? VI How Natural is 'Natural'? Bibliography show less