Charles Darwin

by Adrian J. Desmond, James R. Moore, Ebru Kılıç (Translator)

Charles Robert Darwin (1809 - 1882), Cambridge'deki ilahiyat eğitimini başarıyla tamamladıktan sonra "ıssızlığın ortasında bir taşra papazı" olarak ömrünü sükûnet içinde geçirme hayalleri kurarken, küçüklüğünden beri doğa bilimlerine olan merakının da etkisiyle, dünyayı dolaşarak ölçümler yapmak, haritalar çıkarmak, bilimsel keşif ve incelemelerde bulunmak amacıyla Beagle gemisiyle düzenlenen keşif seferine katıldı. Avrupalıların fazla aşina olmadığı coğrafyalarda rastladığı bitkiler, hayvanlar, insanlar ve yer şekilleriyle ilgilenip örnekler toplamak ve gözlemler yapmakla geçirdiği bu yıllar, sadece onun kaderini değiştirmekle kalmayacak, dünyayı dönüştürecek bilimsel bir yaklaşımın da temellerini atacaktı.

Ancak Victoria dönemi İngilteresi aykırı fikirlere izin verecek esnekliğe sahip değildi. Darwin, Kilise ve aristokrasinin başını çektiği müesses nizam tarafından kâfir olarak nitelenmemek için fikirlerini ve bunları şifreyle yazdığı defterleri tam yirmi yıl boyunca sır gibi gizleyerek çalışmalarını sürdürecekti. Hatta erdem güdüsü kadar güçlü bir hakikat duygusuna sahip olmasaydı, "bir cinayeti itiraf etmeye" benzetecek kadar huzursuzlandığı teorisini açıklamayacak, Türlerin Kökeni'ni yayımlamayacaktı, belki de…

Evrim teorisinin, hayatın çeşitlilik ve karmaşasını açıklayabilen bir teori olduğu ve Darwin'in dile getirdiği gibi doğanın kendi işini kendi usulünce yaptığı, yıllar süren tartışmaların ardından önce bilim çevreleri, sonra bütün dünya tarafından kabul gördü.

Doğa tarihinin bu kaba beyaz sakallı bilge devrimcisi ilk ve en büyük tepkiyi Kiliseden görmesine rağmen, ebedi uykusuna, kendi alanlarının kahramanlarıyla birlikte yatmak üzere İngiltere'nin en itibarlı kilisesi Westminister Abbey'e devlet töreniyle gömülerek onurlandırıldı. İnsanoğlunun hayvanlarla aynı süreçler içinde evrildiği düşünülemeyecek kadar yüce bir varlık olduğuna inananlarsa insanı tanrısallığından arındıran evrim teorisine, günümüzde de en az Victoria dönemindeki güçle karşı çıkmaya devam ediyor.

Genres: Biography, Science, History, Nonfiction, Evolution, Biology, History Of Science

924 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Adrian John Desmond (born 1947) is an English writer on the history of science.

He studied physiology at University College, London, and went on to study history of science and vertebrate palaeontology at University College London before researching the history of vertebrate palaeontology at Harvard University, under Stephen Jay Gould. He was awarded a PhD in the area of the Victorian-period context of Darwinian evolution.

Desmond is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Biology Department at University College London.

Reviews

[Lynne King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has to be one of my favourite biographies and is rather large but definitely worth the effort to delve into the mind of this incredible person.

Highly recommended.

[John]

After p. 235

This book is clearly a superlative example of highly successful biographical narrative. There's nothing new in this assessment, so I won't waste words of that kind. I will, however, waste words of another import.

Happenstance brought this biography to my attention while I was reading D&M's re-examination of certain events in Darwin's life, which they explored in "Darwin's Sacred Cause" (2009), and now I"m beginning to understand why they authored a second book.

D&M are seeking an answer to a question that has sustained their abiding and apparently compelling, even passionate and obsessive, interest in the facts of Darwin's life: What inner "force" propelled his project? However did Darwin contrive to take up the issue of the origin of species and sustain the altogether indefatigable labor that he expended over decades to establish a plausible and defensible basis for his views of descent and differentiation of all life forms, even while his views, once widely known, evoked nearly universal rejection, scorn, contempt, and the rabid hostility of his contemporaries? Hostility that provokes violent confrontations today - nearly 175 years after Darwin first formulated his theory and 153 years after the first edition of The Origin of Species appeared? From what inner resources did he summon this heroic endurance in view of his character and personality - his urgent need for approval, acceptance, adulation, his apparent conventionality, his horror at the prospect of a loss of respectability, loss of standing as an English gentleman? Hence, the presence of "tormented" in D&M's subtitle. A torment that left his entire digestive tract in shreds.

In this biography (1994) they offer answers those questions - answers that satisfied them at the time, I suspect, and in their second consideration of them in "Darwin's Sacred Cause" (2009), they present different answers. And they make clear in Sacred Cause how their second set of answers evolved from the first.

I won't repeat them here. The fact of this difference, however, merits more detailed consideration, I think, because it raises important questions regarding the possibility of entirely credible biography.

D&M, and most any biographer of persons long dead, can do nothing other than to draw upon a limited residue of documentary evidence - literary remains. Darwin journaled, of course. He developed his theory in bits and snatches, along with the questions that these rudiments suggested as they occurred to him, and he recorded it all in his notebooks. He did not, however, record his emotional experience of those critical years around 1837, when he committed his first theoretical and explanatory formulations to paper, nor his emotional experience of later years of unremitting labor and terror as he compiled and interpreted mountainous heaps of evidence that he hoped would silence his critics, who were legion. I doubt, frankly, whether he much cared about or even noticed the emotional toll of his work, except perhaps to decide when he needed and would take another rest cure at a particularly exclusive and fashionable spa. Moreover, Darwin lived before the likes of Barbara Walters were born, so he was never confronted with the annoying questions that interviewers of today ask: What need motivated for this, that or the other? How do you account for...? How did it feel when ....?

D&M ask the same sort of questions, of course (How could they not?), and in arriving at answers they must grapple with many, many silences, gaps in the record. [I imagine them standing before Darwin's tomb in Westminster Abbey, pounding his monument with their fists, pleading for answers. How could you...? Why did you...?] So they do what they have to do - they seek plausible answers that accord with whatever apparently relevant evidence they can scratch together at the time they write.

The problem, their tragedy, perhaps, is that such answers don't necessarily satisfy over the long-term. Regression theory instructs us that an infinite number of curves will fit a set of discrete and discontinuous data points, i.e. when there are gaps, absences of data, between the data points that are given. And so it is with biography, and in this case so it is with D&M's two biographical studies of Darwin. Once they posited one answer, i.e. once they have fit one curve through the data they had assembled, they are satisfied for a while - until they realize that their curve doesn't really fit the data so well after all or that other curves achieve a better fit, that their first answers aren't quite so plausible or credible once they, and their critics, have subjected them to sustained scrutiny and especially after they examine heaps and heaps of evidence that they hadn't thought relevant or had time to consider when they formulated their first answer. And so they write a second book that posits a revised, and more fully satisfactory explanation - satisfying for the present, at least.

So let us pity the poor, tormented biographer. A particular and relentlessly insistent curiosity compels their work, and even if they write and re-write Darwin's biography to the end of their present earthly lives and through an infinite succession of reincarnations, they will never and can never desist, because no earthly power will ever completely fill in the gaps between the data points they have, and even if some power did complete the record, even if they had a seamless recording of Darwin's stream of consciousness, and the content of his unconscious mind, they would never, ever live long enough, in this world or some other, to work through it all.

Their torment, notwithstanding, I, for one, am grateful for biographical narrative of this calibre. To hell with the definitive.

After p. 300
I apologize in advance for additions to this review. I'm beginning to understand Virginia Woolf's comment that reading always evoked in her a compelling need to write. It turns out that I'm using Goodreads as a reading journal, and it helps because writing has always been the tool I use to come to know and clarify what I think.

In any case, I feeling much less generous and accommodating after 300 pages than I felt after 235. And I will detail what strike me as D&M's egregious, outrageous and extremely annoying violations of any reasonable rules of evidence and argument that I know in preparing this biography. So annoying, in fact, that I'm tempted to formulate and explicate my own set of rules that I will apply in my reading and writing of biography - not that anyone else cares. Once again Goodreads will serve as my notebook. And my writing imposes no obligation on anyone to read.

D&M's violations concern several central issues of Darwin biography: (1) What was the source of his compelling, even obsessive, drive to observe life in every form in every setting accessible to him - and in such obsessive detail? What sustained that drive to the end of his life? (2) From what existing ideas, material did Darwin draw the materials of his theory? And why those particular materials? (3) What "force" sustained his unremitting labor over thirty/forty years to the great injury to his digestive tract? (4) Why did he delay publication of even the rudiments, any intimation of his theory for at least twenty years?

So I present these violations here. {Spoiler: I'll be trashing this book - no matter how beautifully D&M package their sins against credible biography.]

[To be continued]

[Michael Huang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darwin has two free-thinking grandpas. Erasmus Darwin is a freethinking doctor plus erotic poet. He prescribes sex for hypochondria. The other grandpa Josiah Wedgwood is a technocrat in “Lunar society” (members called Lunaticks” because they meet on full moon days for light to walk home. His father was a doctor and closet freethinker.

Darwin followed tradition and went to Edinburgh for medical study. Long story short, he quit. Then he went to Cambridge in preparation for clergy life. He wasn't a model student but did pass his exam. He was influenced by Henslow who taught him botany. It was Henslow that the Beagles's captain invited as a naturalist. Henslow passed on to Darwin. It was misery almost all the time: constant nausea, inches of ice, losing 7 anchor by the time they reached Chile and encountered the worst earth quake...

But by the time he returned home, he is already famous, thanks to Henslow circulating his technical letters. The doctor (dad) supported him to work on his selection and not go into clergy. ( The doctor is "as financially fragile as he was physically ponderous". His investment income is £7000/year in 1830s -- 105x in today's money). There’s influence everywhere, including Babbage who believes in a “programmer God”. Very gingerly, CD started to broach the subject and even asking his letter back for security. The family moved to Down which was a sanctuary. CD rented land, planted a 1/4mi thinking path. His essays should be published posthumously should he die suddenly: that would be the last wish.

CD has been bothered by some unknown condition and only water treatment worked on alleviating the symptoms. When his daughter Annie got sick, the same treatment didn’t help. Annie’s cruel death destroyed CD’s tatters of belief in a moral, just universe. Meanwhile, Spencer and Huxley are independently getting close to evolution.

After 20 years of the notes, “Natural Selection” is almost ready. But at this time, Wallace wrote up a little paper to show CD which would have scooped CD up. The dilemma is solved by friends who suggested them to publish together. Wallace was in fact very happy that he didn’t have to be alone. Subsequently, CD published a 155,000 word “abstract” that got very good response. One rector liked the idea very much as the deity himself didn’t have to design every species. He wrote to CD, who included the rector’s words in the next revision.

By now people are comfortable with evolution, but not the *mechanism* (variation & natural selection) of evolution. CD brought back the Lamarckian notion of use improves an organ and can be passed down. He was wrong in a particular hypothesis. But he keeps researching, revising, writing new book and his books sell. His belief in Christianity slowly withers. He clearly speaks of not believing in bible, but stopped short of supporting radicals and he has never denied the existence of God. Later in his years, he finished a (boring Botany book.) He was very glad Wallace (who didn't enjoy the fame CD did) in 1881 got Queen’s pension of £200. Meanwhile, CD's investment income was £8000 a year . He started to work on worms. But a cough in February started it and by April 1882, CD died. While his wife wanted to burry him in local church, Huxley couldn’t allow that to happen. He was buried in Westminster.

This is a comprehensive biography of a famous scientist who is both physically and mentally tortured for much of his life. The only reason it's not 5-star for me is the size. I haven't seen a bigger fan of Darwin around me and I don't mind a 300-page tome. But do you have to make it 700-pages?

[Simon A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good thorough biography of Charles Darwin, covering his whole life, in a chronological order, and divided into 7 time periods.

Despite the large number of references (books, manuscripts, letters and notebooks) that takes a hundred pages, the book reads smoothly like a novel, with lots of excerpts from these references scattered all along the biography inline with the text.

The strength of this biography lies also in describing the evolution of Darwin's thinking and how he linked the various puzzles from his observations, experiments, and readings to formulate his theory on the origin of the species by natural selection. It also lies in its description of the social, political and economical situation in Great Britain during the nineteenth century, and how it influenced the thinking and the very prudent behavior of Darwin in sleeping on his theory for a couple of decades before publishing it.

The single drawback I've seen personally in the book is the difficulty of its style and vocabulary. Other than that, it is among the best biographies of this enlightened great scientist and man.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Jay Gould was right when he described this book as "the" biography to read about Charles Darwin. For a huge book (676 pages) it's a pretty easy read; The authors have a nice flowing style. The book concentrates on Darwin's life and also the politics and social life of his day. It's not so much a scientific biography as it is a social one, which was a little disappointing for me since I wanted more about Darwin's science. There of course is plenty of science in this great book, but it's not the main focus of the authors.

This was a great book to read for Darwin year (2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth) and I filled my copy up with notes and laughs with all the things I learned. Darwin becomes a full human in this book, you see his strengths and his faults and above all you see this wonderful humanizing and gentle figure emerge also as one of the greatest scientists of all time.

[Michael Alford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have rarely read a book which destroyed it's own thesis so completely.
The presumed thesis of the book is that Darwin was a solid Christian who lost his faith due to his discoveries and suffered from a deep-seated inward struggle in this area for decades. The truth, as indefatigably researched in this biography, isn't nearly as neat and tidy.

Darwin was, at best, a functional agnostic for most of his life; an Anglican in an age when the church of England was deep in apostasy. Ideas don't happen in a vacuum, and evolution was no exception. All of his major influences,whether friends or relatives, were Bible-rejecting apostates and often open heretics. He wound up in seminary after failing at virtually every thing else he attempted, but it was seminary that taught him to doubt the Bible.
It is true that there is a 20 year gap between his voyage on the Beagle and the publication of 'Origin', but there is little evidence to suggest that he was 'tormented' during this time by how his theory would jar Christianity. Truth be told he published several other works during this time period and sat at the feet of some of the biggest apostates of his day as he refined his thoughts on evolution.
This book does an excellent job of showing Darwin's influences, and the author also shows how Darwin's theories were hijacked by various interested parties and misapplied to those parties particular bailiwick.
The book also does an admirable job of humanizing Darwin. Darwin was, by all indications, a very private and shy individual and was poorly-suited to endure the hailstorm of scrutiny engendered by his works. He was a hypochondriac, and would rather be in his study dissecting a mollusk that in the limelight. He had a wife that worried for his soul, and children who were sickly. He was also very much a man of his time; i.e a racist. Evolution was used to suggest the proper subordinate role of Africans, and the proper preeminence of the British empire.
Interestingly, the end of the book discusses how Darwin's burial in Westminster Abbey is proof of the final capitulation of 'religion' in the face of science. That certainly seemed to be the sentiment of the day, as evidenced by contemporary reports, but I personally took it as further proof of the terrible shape of the church was at that point in history.

[Haluk Ermiş · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doğa tarihinin bu kaba beyaz sakallı bilge devrimcisi ilk ve en büyük tepkiyi Kiliseden görmesine rağmen, ebedi uykusuna, kendi alanlarının kahramanlarıyla birlikte yatmak üzere İngiltere’nin en itibarlı kilisesi Westminister Abbey’e devlet töreniyle gömülerek onurlandırıldı. İnsanoğlunun hayvanlarla aynı süreçler içinde evrildiği düşünülemeyecek kadar yüce bir varlık olduğuna inananlarsa insanı tanrısallığından arındıran evrim teorisine, günümüzde de en az Victoria dönemindeki güçle karşı çıkmaya devam ediyor.

[Mark Bowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A. Summary: This is a biographical and sympathetic study of Charles Darwin. It shows the social difficulties that surrounded the concept of evolution.
B. Themes:
1. This book is directed primarily to a British audience (slang terms like “crackhanded” meaning awkward are used though out). The reason is to attempt to bring new interest in Darwin among the British public. In Britain Darwinism has had no controversy from the church. In America controversy has existed since Scopes. Thus, if it was a sympathetic attempt written for an American audience it would focus on Darwin’s rational thought. But, a sympathetic attempt written for a British audience focuses on arousing interest.
2. Darwin begins in politics and ends in religion. It begins with the anarchy of the “red evolutionists” denouncing the aristocratic, priestly class. Yet, it ends with Darwin’s burial in Westmenister Abbey. One of the tasks of this book is to explain how someone holding radical views in 1839 could come to be buried in Westmenister Abbey.
3. The “Devil’s Chaplain” is the central metaphor of the book. This was a term Darwin used in a letter. Darwin feared that he might become a similar outcast from society, an infidel.
4. The scientific conclusions coincide with the majority of Darwin scholars.
5. The theme of Darwin’s ill-health occurs throughout the book. (And adorns the subtitle of the American cover--the life of a tormented evolutionist)
C. Structure
1. A thin treatment of Erasmus Darwin.
2. A lengthy examination of Charles Darwin’s student days at Cambridge and Edinburgh.
3. An almost novelesque account of Darwin’s voyage.
4. The post-Beagle years and a discussion of Charles moving in the Erasmus’s circle of friends.
5. Darwin’s escape from Chartist London in 1842.
6. The death of his daughter in 1851 and its possible connection with his declining religious views.
7. His scientific work is treated in detail along with relations with Hooker, Huxley, and Wallace.
8. The post-Origin years examine the scientific community

[Sharon A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Beautifully written, impeccably referenced. One of the best biographies I've ever read. It provides deep and important insight into Darwin, his family, and his world at the very dawn of scientific culture. Essential reading for any scientist, science enthusiast, or historian.

[John Isles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume, in more than 800 pages including the notes and index, introduces a kaleidoscope of characters who interacted with the great evolutionist, and tells us much more about the details of his life than of his scientific work, for which there are many other sources, including of course his own writings. We're not told how the two authors, Adrian Desmond and James Moore, shared the work between them, but the result is a seamless portrayal of Darwin and his times.

[Juny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro debería figurar sin duda entre las mejores biografías jamás escritas.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's unreal how fantastic this biography is. A good biography should give a clear portrait of the person and in addition fully colour in the background so you feel you have unintentionally learnt about the world this person inhabits along the way. Darwin does this in spades. The man is fully coloured in with depth and detail and the background is there enough to make you feel you understand the context fully without ever feeling like the authors drifted off the point.
The standard by which I will judge all other biographies

[Chris Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent detailed and well-written biography.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid read and one that I had to complete with several breaks for some light relief over about three months.
Having read some of Darwin’s own writings such as ‘On the Origin of Species’ the writings on variation and natural selection, The Voyage of the Beagle, as well as several books by others commenting on and coloring in his love of plants, botany, geology etc, this book was a comparative black and white study of Darwin himself and his journey through life. I was surprised by how much of a struggle he had with debilitating illness, how he was driven in his goal of promulgating his theories and incredibly detailed observations from his experiments. The effort required in producing his volumes of work obviously contributed to his persistent ill health, but he was driven by his inner desire to enlighten humanity.
He had the luxury of being able to live on his inheritances, never having to do ‘regular’ work for a living, but he was also a prudent and canny investor who, like his father, made shrewd investment decisions increasing his overall wealth considerably over his lifetime. The support of his devoted wife Emma was essential to his success as a scientist and as a family man, as were the collaborative efforts of his adult children in his later years.
His friendships with Joseph Hooker and T H Huxley were also important in terms of support and encouragement as well as his several mentors at Cambridge and the years after the Beagle voyage.
As with other detailed biographies I have read, I would have found an appendix with a list of ‘dramatis personae’ very helpful in this book where a vast number of characters appear, disappear, and then reappear in later chapters and a quick reference list would have helped considerably to smooth progress through the book.
An enjoyable yet challenging read although rather harrowing through the last few chapters. I now feel that I want to try and put some natural color back into my image and perception of Darwin, I think I will go to his writings on orchids, climbing plants, carnivorous plants and reread the ‘Origin’ for that. And there is always the voluminous ‘Descent of Man’ for more hard observations and controversial theories.

[Barry Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darwin by Adrian Desmond and James Moore is the biography of the author of ‘On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life”, Charles Darwin. Mr Darwin spent 20 years developing his theory after 5 years travelling the world in the Beagle he spent the next twenty years researching and gathering evidence whilst authoring several books and scientific papers. The “Origin” was a ground-breaking piece of work that took a serious toll on Darwins’ health as it fundamentally changed his moral and religious beliefs. He personified what a scientist should be (willing to prove a truth that he initially did not believe due to hiss religious upbringing). The book quickly covers his younger life and then goes into minute detail including context of what was happing in the world at the time.
This biography is also very well written and keeps the reader wanting to read the next chapter to understand the man and his fanatical drive to learn, research and communicate. He did this right up to a couple of days before his death which came relatively quickly with no loss of his great intellect.
This is the best biography I have ever read, it provides in depth information so that you really feel that there is very little more you could find out with speaking to the great man his self. If you are looking for more information about Charles Darwin or just looking for a great biography you could do a lot worse than reading this book. Absolutely recommended.

[Simon Spiegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough biography of Darwin which places him and the development of his concept of evolution and natural selection in the wider political and social contexts. In 19th century England the question of the origin of species was not just one which interested scientists but which had broad social and political implications. The basic argument is that Darwin was leaning toward an evolutionary approach very early on but hesitated to publish it because of his own upbringing and social position. He was well aware whom his findings would shock and what sensibilities he would hurt.

While the book as a whole can be recommended whole-heartedly, it is probably a bit too long and tends to be repetitive. The authors repeat their central point a bit too often.

Also there is a very strong emphasis on a Malthusian understanding of Darwin, of natural selection as constant battle among species and individuals. To my understanding, this is only half the story. Time and again, Darwin points out that when he speaks of "struggle" this does often not mean actual battle, but should be understood as a metaphor, and that cooperation among animals is also of great importance.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best biographies I’ve ever read, close to, if not the equal of, Manchester’s first two volumes on Churchill. And whereas Churchill spent his time dodging bullets in Cuba, embarrassing national heroes in his reporting, and saving Western Civilization, Darwin, other than the time spent in his youth exploring Britain’s geology and travelling the world on the Beagle, spent his time corresponding, experimenting, theorizing, and being sick, leaving his home only occasionally. Yet this biography is amazingly gripping, despite being primarily an intellectual history. In his own way, Darwin was every bit as original and courageous as Churchill. Darwin certainly belongs in the pantheon of the all-time great thinkers and scientists, and this very readable book brings to life this amazing man.

[Dana Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very important book, from Darwin's contribution to the knowledge of evolution and how important it was in his day. Darwin, and others who advanced our understanding of evolution absolutely rescued Western Civilization from Medieval mysticism and magic. This is by far the biggest takeaway from the book.
Even in Darwin's day, those who did not subscribed to the Church of England's Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion could not hold a job in any branch of English government, nor in the two church run universities, Cambridge or Oxford. "Non-subscribers" or "Dissenters" as they were called, found evolution and the advancing sciences as allies in their struggle. In the twenty-first century, we still have the human origin story tainted with biblical dogma, yet it is receding into the background year-by-year, decade-by-decade.

[Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a very detailed book. It devoted a lot of pages to describe the political background of England. It set the scene for Darwin' family background, his political circle and his worries. This is very helpful in appreciating Darwin's outstanding scientific knowledge and ability to think independently.

In the second half of the book, Darwin's evolution and natural selection theories became mature. The author could have written more coherent stories explaining how Darwin organized his thought. Instead the book failed to focus on Darwin but scattered the chapters with other scholars view. The lack of focus is disappointing as most reader would like to this.

[Steve Kimmins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit of a hero of mine. At least in terms of his dedication to the scientific method. He was just so thorough. He really didn't want to dethrone the religious outlook on creation but he just didn't have any choice in his own mind. He had to follow the evidence.
This book outlines his journey in life comprehensively, from being a bit of a waster at college, through to the lucky opportunity to sail on the Beagle and then, with the good fortune of money, a life of experimentation in his garden, and communication widely with experts in biology. All leading to his big book!

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When someone challenged me that Darwin was pro slavery this book allowed me to verify he was very much anti slavery, pg 120 debate with Captain Fitzroy, Darwin “It was evil” and the only solution was emancipation. Or on page 329 Darwin says,”It makes my blood boil.”
The book is very much a biography of the man rather than a commentary about his theories, although obviously they are covered. As such I feel it has no axe to grind, researched from original sources, so allows the reader to understand the man, his family and friends.

[John Vanderslice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a superb study of the scientist, his life, his work, his friends, and the political/social/scientific environment with which he was surrounded. Interesting to see how sometimes Darwin stubbornly defied that environment whereas in certain ways and times he reflected and reinforced it. It's an illuminating read. If I had any small criticism it would be that I wish Desmond could carry out a more minute review of the evidence that Darwin presents in On the Origin of Species and The Descent of Man.

[Martijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een zeer gedetailleerd werk over het leven van Darwin. Praktisch ieder ontmoeting, etentje, gedachte en ontdekking van Darwin staat in dit boek. Het is daarom ook erg groot. Deze combi heeft ervoor gezorgd dat ik er bijna 4 jaar over gedaan heb.

De eerste 200 pagina's zijn eventjes taai, maar daarna (rond de tijd van het schrijven van The Origin of Species en de gevolgen daarvan) leest het als een trein.

Ik zou het denk ik niet nog een keer lezen omdat het zo groot is.

[Alex Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily readable tome, portraying Darwin as a sort of listless figure whose life was either enveloped in tragedy or anticipating it. And yet, he revolutionized human knowledge despite all this, and in some part, maybe because of it.

[Reenah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing biography.

[Anja Orehek · Rating 1 out of 5]

https://aniaorehek.wixsite.com/otherw...

[Eddy George Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah for some reason I think that Darwin is the most badass character ever!
I mean look at that old dude being stone cold looking, dang!
:D
Ok sorry, the book is actually worth a read :D Go buy...

[Tom D'Hauwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zware, doch interessante kost!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed and well written biography on Darwin.

[Iami Menotu]

A detailed account of the life and times of a hardworking scientist