The reluctant Mr. Darwin

Description

"Charles Darwin was by nature a homebody, a breeder of pigeons, a close student of barnacles--in short, a cautious and deeply shy man. Yet he found himself burdened with a profoundly radical insight. This elusive character, whose theories have had such a revolutionizing impact on our understanding of nature, remains as misapprehended as his most wondrous, frightening idea: "natural selection," the primary mechanism of evolution. In this concise and powerful biography, David Quammen captures the complex development of Darwin's thoughts, showing the celebrated natural scientist in all his apprehensions, doubts, and brilliance."--Publisher's website. Traces the twenty-one-year period between Charles Darwin's original idea about natural selection and the publication of "On the Origin of Species," in an account that offers insight into his experiences as a cautious naturalist.

Subjects

Genres

• Biography

Series Statement

• Great discoveries

Other Editions

• The reluctant Mr. Darwin: an intimate portrait of Charles Darwin and the making of his theory of evolutionAtlas Books/Norton2006-01-01
• The Reluctant Mr. DarwinAudio CDThe Audio Partners2006-07-28
• The Reluctant Mr. DarwinW. W. Norton2006-07-31
• The Reluctant Mr. DarwinAudio CDBBC Audiobooks2006-08-01
• Reluctant Mr. DarwinNorton & Company, Incorporated, W. W.2007-01-01
• The Reluctant Mr. DarwinW. W. Norton2007-07-30