Canterbury Pieces

"Canterbury Pieces" by Samuel Butler is a diverse set of writings from the 1860s that takes on evolution, society, and literature. The book explores Charles Darwin's ideas, especially through a fun dialogue that breaks down natural selection and how species change over time. Butler also looks at how humans and machines might interact in the future, and he shares his thoughts on classic works like Shakespeare’s "The Tempest." Furthermore, the author observes different aspects of society, like the excitement around English cricketers traveling to New Zealand, making the book a wide-ranging look into Butler's reflections on the important science, ideas, and culture of his time.