Book Description
"Quammen brilliantly and powerfully re-creates the 19th century naturalist's intellectual and spiritual journey."—Los Angeles Times Book Review

Twenty-one years passed between Charles Darwin's epiphany that "natural selection" formed the basis of evolution and the scientist's publication of On the Origin of Species. Why did Darwin delay, and what happened during the course of those two decades? The human drama and scientific basis of these years constitute a fascinating, tangled tale that elucidates the character of a cautious naturalist who initiated an intellectual revolution. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Beware the audio book verson
Be forewarned: the narrator of the audio book version is an unfortunate cross between J. Peterman from Seinfeld, Mike Wallace from 60 Minutes, and the narrator of old elementary school film strips.The content is very good (as described in other reviews posted here) but you should have a friendly warning about the audio version. The narrator will put you to sleep.

Short, Fast, and Informative
"The Reluctant Mr. Darwin" by David Quammen is a concise, fun, and fast read.If you want to learn the bullet points about Charles Darwin's life and the formative people, events, and intellectual and social climate that surrounded Darwin's publication of the On the Origin of Species, then this book is for you.Quammen does not spend too much time on any one point, but maintains a theme that Darwin was not lazy in publishing his famous book many years after his voyage but reluctant, wanting to make sure his ideas were sound and well evidenced.

An outline of Darwin's life can be found in many places, even Wikipedia, but what makes Quammen's book particularly helpful is the sections he devotes to writing about Darwin's contemporaries and their contributions to natural history and Darwin's work.Quammen writes about Charles Lyell and his advocacy of the idea of uniformitarianism, the idea that was formed by slow-moving processes, which opposed the idea of catastrophism, the idea that was consistent with Christian theology of the times and based on the belief that certain catastrophes shaped the geologic features of the earth as it is today.Quammen also writes about John-Baptiste Lamarck and his idea of the inheritance of acquired traits, an idea that has been found to be incorrect, but one that Darwin uses in his famous book.These sections in "The Reluctant Mr. Darwin" give historical and scientific context to Darwin's work and allow the reader to more completely appreciate the specific and significant contribution that Darwin made in advocating the idea of evolution by natural selection.

Another important aspect of Quammen's book was how Quammen made it a point to show the evolution of Darwin's famous publication from its infancy, where he first wrote his ideas in journals titled Journal A, Journal B, Journal C, and so on to his obsession with writing a tome that covered every possible argument and objection to his idea with as much evidence as possible to his final rushed publishing of On the Origin of Species due to the threat of Alfred Russel Wallace nearly publishing the same theory before Darwin himself.

This book definitely gives the reader a good picture of Darwin and the social and scientific climate in which he lived.I came away from the book having what I felt was a basic yet complete understanding of Darwin's life.

On the Evolution of Darwin
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick read on the life and works of Charles Darwin. David Quammen beautifully integrates excerpts from primary sources into this biography, really making the work a book, and not just a really long research paper. The sections are smartly headed and the writing style is engaging and makes the biography an easy and interesting read.

The biography itself provides an intimate portrait of Charles Darwin the son, husband, father, friend, etc., which also reveals much about his tendencies as a scientist. The author gives a good overview of all the theories regarding speciation that had already been discussed throughout the intellectual community before Darwin came up with his idea on the "transmutation" of species. It was particularly interesting when trying to imagine a society before the theory of evolution. My struggles to do so only further demonstrate how much Darwin has impacted our modern thinking. Quammen's summary on the ideas and examples provided in "The Origin of Species" may be interesting to many who do not wish to read the 500 pages or so of the actual book, but in my opinion, it was unnecessarily dry and seemed out of place in an otherwise interesting and engaging work.

However, one point that I particularly enjoyed was the fact that Quammen explored the evolution of Darwin's theory of evolution: from the beginnings of its fabrication in "notebook B" to its revealing to the public in the first edition of "Origins" to subsequent subtle changes in order to rectify problems brought up by opponents and finally to its modern applications in the field of molecular biology. The author definitely provided a persuading argument on the "fitness" of Darwin's great idea.

The Reluctant Mr. Darwin by David Quammen
This book is by far one of the best I have read on Darwin. David Quammen puts you inside the period in Enland as well as providing a great understanding of Darwins personal thinking and self doubt as he formulated his theories on evolution. This is an excellent book for anyone but especially a non-scientist such as myself.

Larry Wilkinson
Howell, Michigan

Quammen on Darwin
This work focuses on the post Beagle period of Darwins life, and although I would have liked more included on Wallace, Lyell,and Huxley, Darwin was the deserving subject.
David Quammen is an excellent writer on science and scientists, and if you are starting with this work, you should check out his other works.
... Read more

Book Description
The Autobiography of Charles Darwin is a work on the life of Charles Darwin, written by the man himself. This biographical work about one of the most important naturalists in history is key in understanding the events in his life which lead him to make some of the most important evolutionary discoveries, which hold up in importance during our time. The Autobiography of Charles Darwin is highly recommended for those who are interested in learning more about the life of Charles Darwin and for those interested in understanding the personal story that have lead to the modern theory of evolution.Download Description
[My father's autobiographical recollections, given in the present chapter, were written for his children, - and written without any thought that they would ever be published. To many this may seem an impossibility; but those who knew my father will understand how it was not only possible, but natural. The autobiography bears the heading, 'Recollections of the Development of my Mind and Character,' and end with the following note: - "Aug. 3, 1876. This sketch of my life was begun about May 28th at Hopedene (Mr. Hensleigh Wedgwood's house in Surrey.), and since then I have written for nearly an hour on most afternoons." It will easily be understood that, in a narrative of a personal and intimate kind written for his wife and children, passages should occur which must here be omitted; and I have not thought it necessary to indicate where such omissions are made. It has been found necessary to make a few corrections of obvious verbal slips, but the number of such alterations has been kept down to the minimum. -F.D.] ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good Overview of Darwin's Life
Darwin's Autobiography serves as a good overview of his life and the major events that happened to him.While the actual autobiography itself is very short and lacks details, its a good starting point for someone wanting to learn more about Darwin.In this edition edited by his son Francis Darwin leaves out some passages about Darwin's family and married life, something one could argue as particularly telling or interesting information; if this bugs you, buy the later edition.

One of the most interesting sections to me was Darwin's description of his boyhood and young adult years.It's comical to hear this scientist describe his obsession with the pastime of shooting things and his mediocre performance in school.A few things signal Darwin's observational powers or scientific inclination, such as his collection of beetles, but for the most part, he seems an ordinary young person.

Also, the book continually references scientists and intellectuals of the time which Darwin comments on.Some of these people were close to Darwin, others he just mentions.Now knowing these people can be somewhat frustrating to the reading, as I can attest to.The book is very much written and directed at his children, who would be familiar with this social context.

Even with these minor faults, Darwin does give insight into his own mind, something I'm sure anyone who's reading a book about Darwin is looking for.The introspection comes at the end of the book.Darwin speaks of his own reasoning capacities and ability to notice things which easily escape the observations of other men.

This book is short and a I recommend it as a good place to start for getting a handle on the major events of Darwin's life and hearing Darwin's own perspective.

a fun read
This book is definitely a really fun read for someone with some leisure time and an interest in Darwin. It's important to not take this book too seriously (perhaps) because Darwin doesn't really take it that seriously himself. The autobiography tells us a lot about Charles Darwin the man and the way that he felt about certain issues but it barely scratches the surface: he has a great sense of humor (like when he talks about his original plans for being in the clergy) and sometimes he talks about his own life seriously (like his regret for not reading more poetry), but when you come down to it, the book is sort of written in a really mechanical manner. He doesn't really share with us any of his deepest desires or secrets (nor do we really expect him to).

Overall this autobiography is pretty fun to read and it's probably a good springboard from which we can then go and read his Origin of Species or Voyage of the Beagle. ... Read more

Book Description
Although The Origin of Species contained just a single visual illustration, Charles Darwin's other books, from his monograph on barnacles in the early 1850s to his volume on earthworms in 1881, were copiously illustrated by well-known artists and engravers. Jonathan Smith explains how Darwin managed to illustrate the unillustratable - his theories of natural selection - by manipulating and modifying the visual conventions of natural history, using images to support the claims made in his texts. Moreover, Smith looks outward to analyse the relationships between Darwin's illustrations and Victorian visual culture, especially the late-Victorian debates about aesthetics, and shows how Darwin's evolutionary explanation of beauty, based on his observations of colour and the visual in nature, were a direct challenge to the aesthetics of John Ruskin. The many illustrations reproduced here enhance this fascinating study of a little known aspect of Darwin's lasting influence on literature, art and culture. ... Read more

Book Description
This selection of essays allows the reader to learn more about Darwin the family man, as well as the context of Darwin's achievements in several developing research fields of the Victorian Age. Darwin knew and cultivated the friendship of such scientists as Sir Joseph Hooker, Alfred Russel Wallace, Richard Owen, Adam Sedgwick, and Thomas Henry Huxley. He conducted an enormous correspondence with all who could aid him in his work. Their name is legion; it is sampled here, and constitutes one of the marvels of Darwin's century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Knowing Charles Darwin
A man of such renown has been written up in many volumes. His letters andhis self-knowledge have won readers for more than a century now. A few ofhis intimate recollections are presented here in one small volume, mosthelpfully. But to Darwin's own candor and depth of memory the editor--ascholar and a person plainly admiring this great and modest man--has linkedthe living witness of a dozen people of many kinds who visited, questioned,even quarreled with the biologist.

As in a well-made play, the qualitiesof Darwin's character unfold from the tales. Here is the child with aconscience, who admitted to made-up wonders--and soon regrets thedeception. Here is Alfred Wallace, the specimen collector from Indonesia,who wrote a brief paper to Darwin himself to seek aid in publishingtheessay that described in brief the very theory Darwin had spent twenty yearsdocumenting to convince the wide world.Alfred Walllace sent it to thatvery man just as Darwin's big treatise was newly ready. What is wonderfulis how Darwin and Wallace understood that stroke of fate, and remainedlifelong friends in the face of the celebrity Darwin won and deserved, asWallace's insight was given what was due him.

Here are Darwin'sfriends--Huxleys, Hooker, his cousin Galton, his devoted sons--recallingfamily life. Here too is the feminist author Harriet Martineau, guest atthe Darwin's a few times, and her estimate of this man. The power of thispageant of commentary is all but unique among biographies, even thoughnothing really new is here.

Most touching--and most winning--of all isthe little-read narrative by father Charles himself of the life of hisoldest daughter Ann, who died at ten years age of a delayed effect ofscarlet fever. With no sentimentality, but with discernment and love, hewrites: "She had a truly feminine interest in dress...such undisguisedsatisfaction escaping somehow all tinge of conceit & vanity beamed fromher face, when she got hold of some ribbon...of her mamma's."

Truesimplicity, dignity, and precise perceptions shine from this book of manywriters (a few of them enemies of Darwin's). It is a model of compilation,and would repay a wide readership even if it were the drama of acomfortable undistinguished Victorian, and not that of arguably the mostinfluential of scientists and his wide circle.

Philip & PhylisMorrison ... Read more

Product Description
Edited by Francis Darwin.This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1897 edition by D. Appleton and Company, New York. ... Read more

Amazon.com
"Even cows, when they frisk about from pleasure, throw up their tails in a ridiculous fashion." So writes Charles Darwin in his magnum opus on how humans and animals display such emotions as fear, anger, disdain, and pleasure; it is work that has in most respects been sustained by later scientific research. First published in 1872, Darwin's greatest work was never issued in quite the shape its author intended: bits and pieces were left out of subsequent printings, most of them released after Darwin's death, and later editors made additions to suit the intellectual fashion of their times. This definitive edition, heavily annotated, brings us the book that Darwin would have wanted, and it is essential to any naturalist's library.Book Description
In his study of infants and children (including observations of his own baby's smiles and pouts), of the insane, of painting and sculpture, of cats and dogs and monkeys, and of the ways that people in different cultures express their feelings, Darwin's insights have not been surpassed by modern science. This definitive edition of Darwin's masterpiece contains a substantial new Introduction and Afterword by Paul Ekman. Ekman also provides commentaries that use the latest scientific knowledge to elaborate, support, and occasionally challenge Darwin's study. For this edition, Ekman has returned to Darwin's original notes in order to produce for the first time a corrected, authoritative text illustrated by drawings and photographs positioned exactly as its author intended. "This new edition of Darwin's extraordinary book is a major event in the human sciences."-Steven Pinker "This new comprehensive edition of Expression will introduce a new generation of readers to Darwin's masterpiece, undiminished and intensely relevant even 125 years after publication."-Oliver Sacks "Ekman's contribution to his edition of Darwin's 1872 monograph can count as a book in its own right."-Ian Hacking, Times Literary Supplement ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Don't buy this edition!
OK, so clearly I was fooled by Amazon's practice of listing all reviews of a particular book regardless of edition. My mistake. The positive reviews this book has received are no doubt deserved, but this copy is unreadable. It is, as far as I can tell, a print-out of the public domain text, cheaply bound and so minimally formatted that italics are represented by _underscores_ and the right-hand margin is not even justified. The cover image isn't even correctly proportioned, which, given the original image, is pretty shocking in and of itself.

I can't believe Amazon are even selling this thing. It's a disgrace. I could have produced a better copy myself for less money! The text is in the public domain, so if you don't care what format it's in, just download it for free and print it out. Otherwise, go for the new edition which got such good reviews.

Worst Publishing company EVER
The book is absolutely fascinating. I just started reading it 2 days ago and am half way through it but the publisher left out some very significant stuff. For example: where are all the pictures that go with the material?? Nowhere to be found!!!! They've also omitted several passages from the text! How much? I have no idea! They break off in mid sentence to give notes and never come back to the sentence they were on!!!
I strongly recomend picking this book up just not from bibliobazar

An enriching reading!

This is the main contribution to interdisciplinary studies that converge in psychology and biology. It is a key piece inside Darwin `s work. If the well known decay of the compared psychology at the early years of the XX Century- when the evolutionism followers forgot about the behaviors and the psychologists did without anatomy and physiology- diminished briefly influence to the actual contributions, the culmination of the modern etiology has acted in favor for rediscover this extraordinary and even singular text.

What Darwin considers as true expressions are precisely, the reflexes and instincts that suppose not only the innate capacity to react of a determined way, but also the innate acknowledgementof that expression in the others.

A fundamental and unfairly not so known book that deserves to be recognized with major value.

Darwin's faked evidence
To those evolutionary behavioralists who salivate over "Emotions in Man and Animals," they'll get an even bigger charge reading it alongside "The Great Betrayal: Fraud in Science," by Horace Freeland Judson, which has a nice expose of Darwin's fraudulent photos.Behavioralists will especially love reading about the expressions induced by powerful electrical shocks to the heads of mental patients.Of course, Darwin had the electrodes painted out of the photos; but then, This is Science!Other photos are actually paintings, and most are staged, not spontaneous."Emotions" is nonetheless a good read, as Darwin could write as well as he lied.

After the BEAGLE, Darwin's "funnest" book!
This is the second book that I throw my serious students after I make them read the Voyage. While the subject is serious, there is more than a hint of play throughout, and one can just imagine Darwin observing his own children for clues to discuss as each chapter unfolds. Although this book is of course not nearly as important as the Origin or even Descent, it is essentially part of the Long Argument, and is a great way of bringing behavioural topics to the fore in any discussion of evolution. A pity it is that many modern popularizers of "evolutionary psychology" seem to have missed parts of the form and substance that Darwin expresses here. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Here is a fascinating, detailed look at the life of Charles Darwin: naturalist, geologist, and independent thinker. In his author's note, Caldecott Honor illustrator Peter Sis (Starry Messenger, Tibet: Through the Red Box) writes that Darwin always regretted not learning how to draw. However, he could and did take "dense and vivid" written notes, from which Sis drew his inspiration. Readers will spend hours poring over the gorgeous, intricately crafted pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations depicting layer upon layer of Darwin's life as he developed his theories about the origins of life and natural selection. Tidbits from Darwin's extensive and legendary voyage on the Beagle, notes on Galapagos tortoises, bloodsucking benchuca bugs, and Toxodon skeletons, and particulars from his family life intermingle with each other--just as in real life. Crammed with a veritable muddle of diary entries, cameo portraits, diagrams, natural illustrations, maps, timelines, a gatefold spread, and narrative divided into "Public Life," "Private Life," and "Secret Life" blocks of text, The Tree of Life will certainly be overwhelming to some readers; for other, less linear thinkers, it will be sheer, chaotic delight. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie CoulterBook Description

Customer Reviews (9)

Simply Excellent
This was my second book in series of 5 books I picked in local library to get myself educated about Darwin. Its awesome. The book is interspread with lots of artist's own impression of Darwin, since Darwin never consider himself to be an artist, the author used his imagination to prepare this book. This is a remarkable book and Author spent a considerable time doing these wonderful illustrations. After having read all 5 books I reread this book many times overs. It takes a few minutes to finish it, but you could be spending hrs marvelling Darwin by looking at these pictures. A wonderful book which packs a lot of information in few pages.

It's seldom noted, but...
You know the REALLY funny thing about Darwin?
His own children didn't even survive him.
Which made him a failure in the sense he gave his name to.

The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin
Though I liked the book very much and enjoyed reading all of the facts about Charles Darwin, I think that the format was BUSY.All over each page there were illustrations and little facts of interest.I wanted to read them all... and did!But, I prefer a more straight forward format.

beautiful book
This is a beautiful book! It gives you a vivid picture of Charles Darwin's life. Very enjoyable -- my son and I both got to know Darwin well from this book! I'm inspired to read all those books Darwin wrote.

A Gem
This is a wonderful book. Great illustrations with much detail about Darwin's life (all of it, family, career, adventures) including "pages" from his diary. I bought it for my son who really liked it. We read it together the first time, then he explored it on his own. He used it for a 4th grade school project and got an A. I enjoyed it, too. ... Read more

Product Description
A fascinating autobiographical account of Charles Darwin\'s life. It delicately intertwines the details of his personal life with that of his career. It brings to us Darwin not only as a naturalist of the highest caliber but also as an ordinary human being. Truly captivating! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good Selection
This book is very good especially if you haven't read very much about Darwin and are not familiar with his works. The selections are good representations of his overall work and the editor's notes are helpful. Anindex would be nice. ... Read more

Book Description
Charles Darwin's book The Origin of Species, published in 1859, had a wide impact in the United States and influenced thinking in many different fields of intellectual inquiry. The Evolutionists examines the major American thinkers who addressed Darwin's ideas and gave them applications. The book reviews the controversies evolutionary thinking introduced in science, religion, sociology, feminism, economics, law, and philosophy. Chapter arrangements feature pairings of American thinkers in these categories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

5 stars or more
- at least for taking on the subject... much more consise and readable then the paired with it The Tree of Life by Sis. Also very much recommend "Our Family Tree: An Evolution Story" for kids from 3 to 9.

A book introducing the concept of evolution to the general public is expertly told for young readers
This 48-page history of Charles Darwin's famous sea voyage that was to ultimately result in his publishing a book introducing the concept of evolution to the general public is expertly told for young readers by Mark Bergin and perfectly complemented by the outstanding full color artwork and illustrations by Mark Bergin. Beginning with an informative and concise introduction of the life of Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882), Inside The Beagle With Charles Darwin presents the ship "Beagle" being outfitted for the multi-year voyage, life on board ship, Darwin's exploration of the rainforest, finding fossils, returning home after visiting New Zealand and Australia, and then how Darwin arranged what he'd found, the deductions he made from his findings, and the basic concept that became known as the theory of evolution. Enhanced with a timeline of the voyage, a chronological list of Darwin's life and works, a glossary, and an index, Inside The Beagle With Charles Darwin is a seminal and strongly recommended addition to all grade school and community library Science History collections for children.
... Read more

Book Description
One of the most famous and influential books of its (or any) time, this is the first comprehensive statement of the theory of natural selection and provides the basic argument of what we think of as Darwinism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Dave's rating
Good and prompt service. Thanks.
Extremely well read, and the amount of information that Darwin had in 1859 is incredible. However I think the introduction should have been read.

Poor narration on a good book
When I first read Darwin's Origin of Species, although I was fascinated, it took me a long time to get through it. Darwin writes well, but frequently seems to use grammatically complex sentences which stretch to entire paragraphs, and it is hard to read it with anything other than total concentration.

Hence when I saw that an audiobook version of OoS was available I was excited. I hoped that having a human read the book would give it extra clarity and emphasis, and make it more enjoyable.

I was wrong.

From the first track, David Case's smug and nasal tone was overpowering. Case manages to butcher phrases and passages that originally set my mind on fire when first read. I abandoned listening after the first disk.

To confirm I wasn't being oversensitive I played the starting paragraphs to a family member, and their response was a low groan.

To conclude; if there are any rougue millionaires/publishing companies out there, please hire someone better (Stephen Fry?) to read this work. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Outstanding Bio
This is a really first class biography, bringing the full weight of Charles Darwin's "torment" to light.As a devoutly religious man during the oppressively Christian Victorian era, it took uncommon fortitude and intellectual honesty for him to follow the paths down which his researches led him, all the way to the ultimate conclusions which today bear his name.

Much like H.W. Brands's biography of Benjamin Franklin, the authors here do an excellent job of bringing Darwin back to life, both the highs and the lows (including lots of personal tragedy) that shaped his monumental career.Heartbreak played as great a role in his life as discovery.

Compulsively readable without sacrificing detail, all of the major milestones of his life are covered in a personal perspective which gives exactly as much emphasis as events must have had at the time -- even ones which have since reached mythic proportions.This is, as Steven Jay Gould touts on the cover, "Unquestionably, the finest [biography] ever written about Darwin..."

Excellent biography
This is a thorough and well-written biography of Charles Darwin, with emphasis on the torment he suffered as his theory of evolution caused upheaval in the Church and in his own beliefs. Darwin suffered from a debilitating illness (gastro-intestinal in nature) almost his entire adult life. He was also a very emotional man--tears came easily to him. These are just a few of the things I found interesting about this biography. Where his theory might be questionable, however, is not discussed. Highly recommended.

ONE OF THE BETTER DARWIN BIOGRAPHIES
I just completed my second reading of this work.I do feel it is one of the better Darwin biographies.It certainly is not in the same league with Janet Browne's two volume work, but if you cannot get Browne, then this one will certainly do.This work is well researched and certainly presents us with a good look at not only Darwin the man, but of his science.I had to agree with another reviewer who made the observation that reading Charles Darwin's work is much easier after reading this work on his life and times.I also enjoyed the insightful look into the Victorian mind...it was an added bonus.Unfortunately, I have noticed that the anti-evolution folks go through these reviews bashing anything said positive about any of theDarwin Biographies.The study of the man, Darwin, is not necessarily an endorsement of his theory.On the other hand, Darwin and his contemporaries did change the way we look at our world and we do owe them a debt for that, and anyone that can produce such a profound work, indeed, needs to be studied.Any one who denies this simply has their head in the sand.Highly recommend this one.Good biography and good history. Well written!

Complete, Unbiased and Utterly Enjoyable Masterpiece
Darwin: the life of a tormented evolutionist, the title says it all. Desmond and Moore work around the idea of the tormented evolutionist as a central theme in this magnus opus of Darwins life. The reader is taken on a journey through Darwin as a young lad, collecting shells and minerals, to the debilitated, ailing old man who writes non-stop on many aspects of natural history from selection to a complete and still used encyclopedia on barnacles to orchids and earthworms. But this is not an essay merely about the life and accomplishments of Charles Darwin, it is a story about science and society in the 1800's England. Desmond and Moore create a scene of Darwin getting swept up in the events of Victorian England. They illustrate a man torn by his religious convictions and the interpretations of what all the evidence from his life's research points toward. I relished in getting to know other famous scientists such as Hooker, Wallace, Romanes, Spencer, Tyndall and Huxley, and many others from that time who were among Darwin's followers and critics (i.e. Owen, Agassiz, Duke of Argylle, Mivart, Wilberforce)

A highly enjoyable book for people from all backgrounds and an absolute must read for anyone not so much interested in the complete biography of Darwin's life, but for people interested in the history and philosophy of Victorian England's science.

Brilliant biography for a brilliant scientist
This is one hell of a riveting biography. I've often read biographies of really interesting people, but the writing is so turgid or lackluster, that I find myself wishing a better writer would tackle this story and do it right. Not so with this one, this is a phenomenal book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Outstanding Scientic & Personal Darwin Biography!
This bio does a fine job in analyzing and comparing the great scientist's personal and family life, with his famous scientific research, writing, and early Beagle Explorations. Apparently, he had serious health problems, most in the digestive system, but overcame this adversity, among others, to write some of the greatest scientific documents ever. Of his ten children, three died young, including two as infants. His financial independence certainly helped matters, but the long and involved writing and research would probably have discouraged a lesser man. Truly well done thruout, and not overbearingly difficult for the scientific and biological layman, like this reviewer!

WELL WORTH THE READ
This biography gives a new slant to the study of Darwin.It is by no means a new slant, but the author has certainly presented it in a much better fashion, more through, than any previous biographicals on Darwin.The author's style is easy and interesting.I Would highly recommend the additon of this one to your collection.Well worth the read.Hope we get to see more from this author.

Darwin the hypochondriac
Most biographies are geared towards illustrating the life of a famous figure for the purpose of presenting or revisiting the accomplishments.This biography, however, does not give the central focus to the writings and finds of Charles Darwin; the thesis deals more with Darwin being a possible hypochondriac.

The preface and appendix discuss recent research regarding Darwin's being an invalid during parts of his life.Some research deals with a disease that he may have picked up in South America while on the voyage of the HMS Beagle; some research says that Darwin was merely obsessed with being sick and therefore created a self-fulfilling prophecy.

This brings us to the text.Although Darwin's life is shown to us, as well as some additional information on family and colleagues, the life is covered in regards to his worst periods of sickness.By plotting this out for us, Bowlby shows us that many of these periods are preceded by deaths of family members close to Darwin and by fierce scrutiny of his discoveries and writings.

Another idea is the family's way of dealing with intense emotion.Rather than express this emotion by crying or mourning, it was internalized.This internalization led to depression, which led to sickness.

This biography is written less as a narrative of Darwin's life, but more as a proof for the author's thoughts on Darwin's sickness.As a result, there are many points where the author becomes more noticeable.

This is still an intriguing book, and I would recommend reading it.

Evolution unknowingly affected Darwin's behavior.Masterfully
The life and times of Darwin are masterfully brought to our attention by child emotional development expert and pioneer John Bowlby. Darwin's biography and upbringing are masterfully revealed and how they relate to his lifelong behavior, health, choices, and decisions in life. A most interesting aspect of this book is how evolution unknowingly affected Darwin's behavior as he himself is formulating and writing his famous theories on evolution. Because of the voluminous and extremely revealing written personal and professional correspondence by Darwin and his acquaintances a very good record ofhis health can be deduced from it. A must for those interested in more details on Darwin's life and how evolution affected the emotions and behavior of the main founder of evolution himself; and written by child emotional development pioneer Bowlby.It is a very detailed and well written book. For a complete definitive traditional biography of Darwin you may want to go to a plethora of other books available on the subject.

Probably the best recent single volume Darwin Biography
My title probably says it all, but I will elaborate. I still think that janet Browne has made the best START to a biography, I just wish she would finish by giving us Vol. 2!In the meantime we have Bowlby and that isn't half bad.Full of interesting background material and written with a lively pace A NEW LIFE manages to steer through some of the perils of "psychohistory" that have damaged other authors and gives us an interesting and at times provocative look at Darwin and Darwin's time. Well worth the read. ... Read more