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Enchanted by Daphne: The Life of an Evolutionary Naturalist
The extraordinary life story of the celebrated naturalist who transformed our understanding of evolution
Enchanted by Daphne is legendary ecologist Peter Grant’s personal account of his remarkable life and career. In this revelatory book, Grant takes readers from his childhood in World War II–era Britain to his ongoing research today in the Galápagos archipelago, vividly describing what it's like to do fieldwork in one of the most magnificent yet inhospitable places on Earth. This is also the story of two brilliant and courageous biologists raising a family together while balancing the demands of professional lives that would take them to the far corners of the globe.
In 1973, Grant and his wife, Rosemary, embarked on a journey that would fundamentally change how we think about evolution. Over the next four decades, they visited the Galápagos every year to observe Darwin’s famous finches on the remote, uninhabited island of Daphne Major. Documenting how eighteen species have diversified from a single ancestral species, they demonstrated that we could actually see and measure evolution in a natural setting. Grant recounts the blind alleys and breathtaking triumphs of this historic research as he and Rosemary followed in Darwin’s footsteps―and ushered in a new era in ecology.
A wonderfully absorbing portrait of a life in science, Enchanted by Daphne is an unforgettable chronicle of the travels and discoveries of one of the world’s most influential naturalists.
Enchanted by Daphne is legendary ecologist Peter Grant’s personal account of his remarkable life and career. In this revelatory book, Grant takes readers from his childhood in World War II–era Britain to his ongoing research today in the Galápagos archipelago, vividly describing what it's like to do fieldwork in one of the most magnificent yet inhospitable places on Earth. This is also the story of two brilliant and courageous biologists raising a family together while balancing the demands of professional lives that would take them to the far corners of the globe.
In 1973, Grant and his wife, Rosemary, embarked on a journey that would fundamentally change how we think about evolution. Over the next four decades, they visited the Galápagos every year to observe Darwin’s famous finches on the remote, uninhabited island of Daphne Major. Documenting how eighteen species have diversified from a single ancestral species, they demonstrated that we could actually see and measure evolution in a natural setting. Grant recounts the blind alleys and breathtaking triumphs of this historic research as he and Rosemary followed in Darwin’s footsteps―and ushered in a new era in ecology.
A wonderfully absorbing portrait of a life in science, Enchanted by Daphne is an unforgettable chronicle of the travels and discoveries of one of the world’s most influential naturalists.
346 pages, Hardcover
Published May 23, 2023
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July 26, 2023This book is the autobiography of esteemed ecologist and evolutionary biologist Peter Grant, it seems to be a rather mellow account devoid of any particular narrative or thematic arcs, rather it is a blow-by-blow diaristic record of where he went, what he saw, what trips he did, on any given year.
May 14, 2025
Peter R. Grant has written an enjoyable autobiography of a life that spans decades of change and advancement. Esteemed as a leading evolutionary biologist in our day, Grant documents his early years in England, his education, and ultimate scientific pursuits.
His writing is straightforward and moves quickly touching upon events quickly and sometimes lingering on details. He summarizes his scientific research but does not go into it heavily. He details his fieldwork experiences, but you don't feel like you are suffering through the weeks and months on remote Galapagos islands.
The book sometimes reads like a travelogue, which reflects the life Grant has lived, traveling the world as a scientist. The later chapters document awards after award he and his wife received, which were deserving, but I do not feel the book illustrates the impact his research had on biology. Scientists familiar with his work will appreciate it, but Grant doesn't emphasize how important his research program on Daphne was and still is for biology. Thus, some may feel he is boasting in the final chapters.
Grant keeps the narrative realistic highlighting the role of his wife, children, and colleagues in both his professional and personal life. A delightful book to read. I personally enjoyed the earlier years and his education. Being familiar with his research and having had the opportunity to meet him personally I was quite familiar with his research and its impact. A great book for young scientists, especially those interested in field research.
His writing is straightforward and moves quickly touching upon events quickly and sometimes lingering on details. He summarizes his scientific research but does not go into it heavily. He details his fieldwork experiences, but you don't feel like you are suffering through the weeks and months on remote Galapagos islands.
The book sometimes reads like a travelogue, which reflects the life Grant has lived, traveling the world as a scientist. The later chapters document awards after award he and his wife received, which were deserving, but I do not feel the book illustrates the impact his research had on biology. Scientists familiar with his work will appreciate it, but Grant doesn't emphasize how important his research program on Daphne was and still is for biology. Thus, some may feel he is boasting in the final chapters.
Grant keeps the narrative realistic highlighting the role of his wife, children, and colleagues in both his professional and personal life. A delightful book to read. I personally enjoyed the earlier years and his education. Being familiar with his research and having had the opportunity to meet him personally I was quite familiar with his research and its impact. A great book for young scientists, especially those interested in field research.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews