Book Review - The Origins of the New: Novelty and Innovation in the History of Life, Culture and Technology - Princeton University Press

 

     This is an interesting and absorbing book, and one which I doubtless will not review in a manner that gives a full appreciation of its scholarship and engaging narrative. I simply do not have the background or training to fully grasp some of the science involved.

     Having said that, I skipped not a page, and found myself absorbed by the whole concept of novelty and innovation (a circuit board is a novelty, its wide application is innovation), joined by Darwin and Gould and everyone else in between. 

     I think I may confidently state that the overall theme of the book is to investigate strands of novel commonality within biology, interlinked with cultural and technological spheres. It seemed particularly noteworthy to me, in an age of reductionism and ever more minute specialization (ask me anything about feathers, but don't ask me about feet) that the concepts of novelty and innovation are shown to have collective application over many disciplines and spheres of life. As is often true, human endeavours mirror nature. 

     In so many ways the book presents an expanded view of evolution, not purely from a biological standpoint, but encompassing economics,culture and technology.

     There are sections of the book that read as lively historical accounts, and for me at least, they were  entertaining, all the while linked to the specific nature of the chapter in which they were contained. 

     The book is exceedingly well written; one often stands in awe of Erwin's adroit use of language. He exhibits great skill in moving the narrative along.

     If you happen to read this review, Dr. Erwin, I apologize for its inadequacy, but rest assured that for this layman it informed me greatly and I will come back to it frequently. There is much still to be learned from this magnum opus. 

The Origins of the New: Novelty and Innovation in the History of Life, Culture and Technology - Princeton University Press

Douglas H. Erwin

Hardcover - US$45.00 - ISBN: 9780691178943

456 pages - 6.125 x 9.25 inches (15.31 x 23.125 cm) - 14 black-and-white illustrations

Publication date: 17 February, 2026