The Reluctant Mr. Darwin
An Intimate Portrait of Charles Darwin and the Making of His Theory of Evolution
“Brilliantly and powerfully re-creates the 19th century naturalist’s intellectual and spiritual journey.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review
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.
“A concise, tightly focused, engaging, and informative biography that . . . provides a satisfying portrait of this controversial man.” —Library Journal
“With clarity, brevity, and quick, colorful anecdotes, [Quammen] sketches a compelling story.” —Christian Science Monitor