Georges Cuvier, Fossil Bones, and Geological Catastrophes: New Translations and Interpretations of the Primary Texts
French zoologist and geologist Georges Cuvier (1769-1832) is remembered largely for opposing  pre-Darwinian theories of evolution and instead advancing his theory of catastrophism. When evolution  took the fore, many of Cuvier's ideas were swept aside. Martin J. S. Rudwick makes a good case, in this  edition of several of Cuvier's key papers, for restoring the scientist to currency; his ideas anticipated  modern research in mass extinctions and whatStephen Jay Gouldcalls  "punctuated equilibrium." This collection is especially interesting in tracing the formation of  Cuvier's ideas on the fossil record--another idea we owe to him.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.