John Fiske

A fascinating look at various different myths from across the world and throughout history, using the approach of Comparative Mythology, comparing different myths to find shared themes and characteristics.

In this 1884 book, the author, an early popularizer of Darwin's theories, takes on nothing less than the origin of humanity, its destiny, and its place in the universe. He argues that civilization and governments have replaced biological evolution as the main forces for change.

The author's writings on the philosophical implications of evolution, praised by Charles Darwin himself, were also influenced by Herbert Spencer. This 1897 collection, which the London Academy said "may be not unfairly designated the most important contribution yet made by America to philosophical literature," includes fifteen brilliant essays.

Historian and philosopher John Fiske tried to reconcile orthodox religious beliefs with Darwin's science, both on the lecture platform and in his collections of essays. Excursions of an Evolutionist is one such collection, eloquently written and containing such chapters as, "Europe Before the Arrival of Man," "The Origins of Protestantism," and "Evolution and Religion," as well as a brief memoir of Charles Darwin.