Written by the French historian of science Patrick Tort [fr], and published in pocket format by Éditions Gallimard as the 397th volume in their "Découvertes" collection[1] (known as "Abrams Discoveries" in the United States, and "New Horizons" in the United Kingdom).

Here the author sheds light on the life and work of the main founder of the science of evolution.

[4] Goodreads reported, based on 21 ratings, an average of 3.48 out of 5,[5] indicating "generally positive opinions".

A co-production between La Sept-Arte and Trans Europe Film, with the collaboration of Éditions Gallimard and CNRS Images Média, the film was directed by Valérie Winckler, with voice-over narration by the French actor Claude Aufaure [fr] and the director.

It was broadcast on Arte as part of the television programme The Human Adventure,[6][7] and dubbed into German under the title Charles Darwin und die Evolution.