Evolution's Workshop: God & Science on the Galápagos Islands

by Edward J. Larson

More than any other place on Earth, the Galapagos Islands are the workshop of evolution. Isolated and desolate, they were largely overlooked by early explorers until Charles Darwin arrived there in the 1830s. It was Darwin who recognized that Galapagos' isolation and desolation were advantages: the paucity of species and lack of outside influences made the workings of natural selection crystal clear. Since then, every important advance and controversy in evolutionary thinking has had its reflection on the Galapagos. In every sense-intellectually, institutionally, and culturally-the history of science on these islands is a history of the way evolutionary science was done for the past 150 years. Evolution's Workshop tells the story of Darwin's explorations there; the fabulous Gilded Age expeditions, run from rich men's gigantic yachts, that featured rough-and-ready science during the day and black-tie dinners every night; the struggle for control of research on the Galapagos; the current efforts by "creation scientists" to use the Galapagos to undercut evolutionary teaching; and many other compelling stories.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Evolution, History, Natural History, Biology, Religion

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 1965

About the author

Edward J. Larson is the author of many acclaimed works in American history, including the Pulitzer Prize–winning history of the Scopes Trial, Summer for the Gods. He is University Professor of History and Hugh and Hazel Darling Chair in Law at Pepperdine University, and lives with his family near Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has received an unjustified bad rap by people who read it for the wrong reasons. Potential readers should know: this is not a book to read before your upcoming Galapagos cruise (there are books written for that purpose), it talks extensively about evolution and its interplay with Creationism and this is not only for hardcore Darwin fans who have visited the islands.

This book reviews in detail all of the visitors to the islands, their purposes and the impact they left either on the islands or in print since the 1500’s. Several threads run parallel to each other. First, the destruction carried out by every single visitor, some plundering in classic style and some collecting as many species as possible before they disappeared for good. Second, a dichotomy in which many visitors were repelled by the enchanted and barren islands, and at the same time their overabundance of fascinating animals and plants previously unknown to man. And lastly, the inspiration the islands provided to scientists interested in the origin of species and with them the dogged creationists who need more meaning than a purely material world can provide.

Each expedition to the islands is narrated in relation to at least one of these threads. After reading this, I am amazed at humanity’s shortsighted destructive nature and simultaneously at its tenacity in pursuit of preserving the magic these islands represent for the rest of the world. The fact that 97% of the landmass on the islands is currently a national park surrounded by an extensive marine reserve in a cash-strapped country that would open the park to greater human development in a heartbeat amazes me and restores my faith in humanity.

This is excellent science writing. I highly recommend this book for readers who want to understand how humans are capable of doing the right thing against all odds.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

read at the beach, wish I remembered it! Re-read in 2021 in preparation for a Galapagos trip. The book is now 20 years old, so I'm sure some things have changed. Still, the early explorations are still relevant today.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overall history of the Galapagos, but I would have liked more geological science of the island development.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic companion for a trip to the Galapagos detailing the human history on the islands and the role of the archipelago in influencing our society’s view of nature, evolution, religion and science.

[Christopher Villacorta-lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring read about the incredible Galapagos islands. Edward captures the various ways people through out time and place viewed those islands. Whether it was whalers, pirates or amateur scientists, these islands left an impression of its natural wonders , both cruel and beautiful. These unassuming and marvelous islands, as told by Edward, will leave an impression on their readers. An impression that hopefully will create a greater urge to protect this wild space and find a balance with the people who call those islands home.

[Bill Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to fathom how Larson could have packed so much documented information into such a readable book. There are 64 pages of end notes, in small print. The story of the Galapagos is fascinating, but depressing when contemplating the present destruction of the environment by humans.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is thoughtfully conceived and expertly written and serves as a good companion for travelers to the Galápagos islands and students of the history of science alike--which applies to me right now! Having read several books about the isolated islands, this one highlights best the well known authors who have visited and written about the Galápagos.
European explorers who came across the islands in the 16th century had a less exalted view of the rugged volcanic archipelago, noting on their maps and in their logs that they had seen a bit of hell on earth; even as late as the 19th century, Herman Melville would call the islands “evilly enchanted ground.” Those who landed on the islands, as Charles Darwin would do on the voyage of HMS Beagle, encountered odd, novel species that turned the notion of the great chain of being on its head. Some scientists preferred to ignore the giant tortoises and candle-like cacti of the place, which did not neatly fit into the prevailing natural history of the time. Others, like Darwin, were intrigued by the evolutionary patterns that emerged, whereby species exhibited perceptible differences from island to island, suggesting that geographical separation had some influence on the course of nature. Darwin’s findings, and those of the generations of scientists who followed him, would undermine special-creationist accounts of how life came to be. Their arguments changed the face of science—and also of the islands, which gave up hundreds of thousands of specimens of birds, reptiles, and plants to collectors from museums all over the world. Amazing that there is anything left to see today, but there is.
This is an absorbing study of the role of the South American island chain in shaping evolutionary theory.

[john lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was on Road Scholar's list of books. It started well but then was bogged down by the historical listing of all the people who had gone to islands. I skimmed parts. However, the book is good in that it gives the history of the men and women who studied the birds, animals and fauna of the islands. It is also the story of evolution, bringing in the folks who believe and those that don't.

There are other books and some magazine articles look up at the library. There is a lot more info to gather before the trip!

Of course, the real problem for the Galapagos is man. Between the early whalers (Herman Melville!) and the US Navy in WWII, the place has been decimated. I'm not sure we will be seeing the 100s of seal lions and other animals everywhere. When man first showed up all the animals were indifferent to them, so of course, the men killed them!

Larson is a solid writer.

[qivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in awe at Larson's ability to intertwine so much information and so many quotations into a cohesive and entertaining story.

This book (at least in my opinion) is incredibly well-researched and leaves nothing to be desired with regard to the Galapagos Islands that it focuses on. I'm quite interested in evolution, neo-Darwinism, and the debate between science and religion so I found this book completely enthralling. I honestly have no complaints whatsoever and would suggest this book to anyone with even a minor interest in the material it discusses.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is sort of a history of the interaction of man and the Galapagos. The focus is mostly on the men of science--apparently women don't study evolution or biology. There is bit about how the Islands were used in WWII and not enough to the challenges of Ecuadorians who have moved there or how tourism has changed the islands. I was expecting to read about the development of evolutionary principles, which are there in couple of places. I haven't read "Summer for the Gods"--Larson's Pulitzer Prize winner. I'm not sure I will after reading this.

[Tom Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to get ready for a visit to the Galápagos. It has helped me to appreciate the islands more when I arrive. Anyone who is interested in science should read this book.

[Melissa Eisenstat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing look to how the Galapagos were ignored/discovered/exploited/preserved. It is part science, part sociology, part anthropology as it explains not only the theory of evolution, but also why various people believed or didn't believe in the power of science. European conquest of the Americas, westward migration in the US, and the effects of economics and war on the Galapagos are all woven into this fascinating book. The part about the voyages of the robber barons in the early 1900's read more like a list of America's wealthy, which I found less interesting. But overall - fantastic!

[Marge Rudman · Rating 4 out of 5]

For another reader, this might have been 5 stars. The writer lays out the history and conflicting ideas around the concept of evolution bringing us up to date. Also, inevitably the history of the Galápagos Islands themselves and the development of the ecology movement in the region. It's a very informative read which I undertook before an impending trip to the region. However, I simply became over saturated with it all and skimmed the last bit disgracefully fast.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually not a bad book covering some of the general history of the archipelago and more of the scientific history. I was disappointed because the title is misleading. There was actually very little discussed about creationism and much discussed about evolution. I expected a more balanced treatment based on the subtitle.

[Mark Benedict · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't disagree with your places to live and work, Edward, and I get the idea of telling story from the view of a landform-- novel, but I hardly felt it was compelling-- maybe it's just not my genre, but developing the significance/controversy of the ideas versus list of visitors would be more helpful/ engaging to me.

[John Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers the history of exporation and scientific and collecting expeditions to the Galapagos. Will appeal to hord core Darwin fans or those who have visited the islands. The detail of all the collecting expeditions is too much at times.

[Julie]

Finished this just in time for arrival in the Galapagos! It is a brain challenge (compared to my usual fiction) but well worth reading for Galapagos past to present as well as evolution theory/history.

[Ballroom Dancer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Pulitzer Prize winning academic historian shares his research on Darwin, evolution and the Galapagos. A must read for those interested in the topics or traveling to the Islands.

[Morgan Bruyneel · Rating 4 out of 5]

een perfect diepzinnig en toch niet te zwaar boek voor iedereen met interesse in natuur-en wetenschapshistorie