Charles Darwin: The Naturalist Who Started a Scientific Revolution

by Cyril Aydon

Engaging and accessible, historically accurate and admirably lucid in its scientific exposition, Cyril Aydon's life of the man who fathered the theory of evolution examines Darwin's personal quests and illuminates his revolutionary achievements. It begins with one of the most overlooked factors in the great man's success—he was rich, and could thus devote himself to the pursuits that established him as one of the undisputed giants in the field of natural history. He made major contributions to geology, he virtually invented ecology, and he changed forever our view of the place held in the natural order by Homo sapiens. Darwin was also a devoted father and husband, and Aydon's biography never loses sight of the man and the family that stood behind him throughout his career, especially when it erupted in the epochal controversy accompanying publication of The Origin of Species. That career included Darwin's expeditionary voyage aboard the Beagle, a viscerally thrilling and intellectually exciting adventure that is vividly recounted here. In addition, pages of photographs and an extended postscript consider the far-reaching influence of Darwin, following intellectual thought through two centuries of evolutionary speculation and scientific discovery.

Genres: Biography, Evolution, Nonfiction, Science, History

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2002

About the author

Cyril Aydon is a full-time writer. His previous works include A Brief Guide to Charles Darwin and Scientific Curiosities. He lives in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a certain magic that occurs when the unbridled enthusiasm of a writer meets the unbridled enthusiasm of a reader. It is lightning in a bottle.

Cyril Aydon's style is so thoroughly enlightening and readable that even the roaming troll herd of evangelicals who didn't bother reading it at all, gave it TWO stars ~ twice their normal allowance for anything with "Darwin" or "Evolution" in the title.

Whether your interest in Charles Darwin is scientific or historical, obsessive or causal, reverent or dismissive, you should read this book. 5 stars.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love biographies and this is one of the most engaging examples to date. A wonderful detailed account of the life of Charles Darwin, released with the 150th anniversary of the Theory of Evolution. Brilliant man, excellent description of his life.

[Russell James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb biography, well researched and always involving, with great insights into Darwin, his family and his circle. Good on Darwin's books too, and gives a fair run to his opponents.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent short introduction to Darwin's life and work, clear and readable. Aydon takes pains to refute some of the myths that cling to the great man, and sets him in the context of his times very well. I should have liked more of a flavour of Darwin's obviously engaging and likeable personality, but one cannot expect too much of a short work with a lot of ground to cover. I did like the emphasis on Darwin's lack of intellectual snobbery, though; he valued knowledge from wherever it came. He ranged widely in seeking information, when most of his contemporaries sought only the opinions of their peers.

[Kyagoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read biographies, but Darwin is a personal hero of mine, and I enjoyed reading about his life and work ethic.

[Christine Holcroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Never knew much about Darwin’s life other than his studies. Written in an extremely readable way.

[Argyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty superficial account that compresses some really significant periods of Darwin's early life into a few short paragraphs. The author does a decent job with the middle and late parts of Darwin's career but choose a different biography for insight into Darwin's experience of the voyage of the Beagle, his intellectual development and psychology.