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Darwin: The Life of a Tormented Evolutionist by Adrian Desmond — book cover

Darwin: The Life of a Tormented Evolutionist

by Adrian Desmond, James Moore
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Overview

"Unquestionably the finest [biography] ever written about Darwin. . . . Darwin has now become, and properly, the quintessentially socially embedded scientist. Desmond and Moore are brilliant in their pursuit of this truly unifying theme."—Stephen Jay Gould

Hailed as the definitive biography, this monumental work explains the character and paradoxes of Charles Darwin and opens up the full panorama of Victorian science, theology, and mores. The authors bring to life Darwin's reckless student days in Cambridge, his epic five-year voyage on the Beagle, and his grueling struggle to develop his theory of evolution.

Adrian Desmond and James Moore's gripping narrative reveals the great personal cost to Darwin of pursuing inflammatory truths—telling the whole story of how he came to his epoch-making conclusions.

In lively and accessible style, the authors tell how Darwin came to his world-changing conclusions and how he kept his thoughts secret for twenty years. Hailed as the definitive biography, this book explains Darwin's paradox and offers a window on Victorian science, theology, and mores. Contains a wealth of new information and 90 photographs.

Synopsis

"Unquestionably the finest [biography] ever written about Darwin. . . . Darwin has now become, and properly, the quintessentially socially embedded scientist. Desmond and Moore are brilliant in their pursuit of this truly unifying theme."—Stephen Jay Gould

About the Author, Adrian Desmond

James Moore is a reader in history of science and technology at the Open University.

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Editorials

Stephen Jay Gould

“Unquestionably the finest [biography] ever written about Darwin. . . . Darwin has now become, and properly, the quintessentially socially embedded scientist. Desmond and Moore are brilliant in their pursuit of this truly unifying theme.”

Everett Menselson

“At last, a biography to match the man. . . . Darwin, his family, his colleagues, and his milieu come alive in this book. . . . Superbly written.”

Anthony Burgess - Observer

“A book that makes such an astounding physical as well as cerebral impact is a very rare commodity indeed.”

Roy Porter - Sunday Times

“A riveting tour de force that meets the need for a new biography on the grand scale. . . . Rarely have the dynamic relations between a scientist's life and his theories been so fully, so forcefully recounted.”

William Bynum - New Scientist

“Pick is up and you are hooked, by the racy writing, the memorable turns of phrase, the historical insights and the sheer bravado of their performance.”

Observer

A book that makes such an astounding physical as well as cerebral impact is a very rare commodity indeed.— Anthony Burgess

Sunday Times

A riveting tour de force that meets the need for a new biography on the grand scale. . . . Rarely have the dynamic relations between a scientist's life and his theories been so fully, so forcefully recounted.— Roy Porter

New Scientist

Pick is up and you are hooked, by the racy writing, the memorable turns of phrase, the historical insights and the sheer bravado of their performance.— William Bynum

Book Details

Published
June 1, 1994
Publisher
Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Pages
886
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780393311501

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