Charles Darwin: (Critical Lives)

In 1859 Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species. In this bedrock of biology books Darwin carved a new origin-story for all life: evolution rather than creation. In his new biography J. David Archibald describes and analyses Darwin’s prodigious body of work, as well as his equally productive home life – he lived with his wife and seven children in the hectic environs of Down House, south of London. There among his family and friends Darwin continued to experiment and write many more books on orchids, sex, emotions, and earthworms until his death in 1882, when he was honoured with burial at Westminster Abbey. This is a fresh, up-to-date account of the life and work of a most remarkable man.

About the Author :
J. David Archibald taught at Yale University and is emeritus professor of biology, San Diego State University. He is the author or co-editor of many books including Charles Darwin: A Reference Guide to His Life and Works (2018).

Review :
This concise biography of Charles Darwin narrates the major events in the great naturalist's life . . . Archibald focuses on Darwin's strenuous effort as he worked on his evolution book and the influential role Alfred Russel Wallace played in prompting Darwin to publish his ideas on the subject. Archibald also discusses Darwin's health problems, such as heart palpitations, nervous exhaustion, and digestive difficulties without indulging in speculation about possible psychological causes of these afflictions as some authors have done . . . The text is well documented and includes excellent illustrations . . . Highly recommended. In addition to the many aspects of Darwin's life and work, Archibald also describes the challenges he faced, professionally and personally, and their historical context. Brimming with detail and relevant asides, the book still addresses all key areas. It is well illustrated using many contemporary images . . . As an accessible introduction to Darwin, even for those with some prior knowledge, this is a welcome addition to the bookshelf. Charles Darwin confronted the supposed exceptionalism of modern humans and their fabricated hierarchy in a universe supposedly designed by God. This is how biologist J. David Archibald begins his study of Darwin, which ably focuses on the build-up, publication, reception, and aftermath of On the Origin of Species . . . Archibald knowledgeably handles many personal and professional aspects of Darwin’s life. One might ask why . . . we need another biography of Darwin. Historical figures deserve new interpretations, and Archibald’s coverage of Darwin is intelligent, competent, and engaging . . . Archibald’s book on Darwin, skillfully narrated and full of useful information, is a worthy addition to student courses and research or personal libraries. J. David Archibald’s Charles Darwin is a marvelous alternative for anyone seeking a concise, accurate, and readable guide to the life and works of the great naturalist . . . Archibald’s choice of what topics to address is judicious, his transitions are effectively managed, and his sense of pacing and emphasis is excellent. He consistently presents both the historical and the scientific issues concisely and clearly. Archibald summarizes the most substantive challenges to Darwin’s theory, including the age of the Earth, laws of inheritance, and evidence of transitions in the fossil record. In each case he offers a concise summary then looks into the future for the nature and consequences of the resolution. He also gives excellent summaries of all of Darwin’s post-Origin research efforts and books . . . Archibald’s contribution is to make Darwin’s life and ideas more accessible to a general audience. A readable overview on the life of Charles Darwin. The book is a fast read because it is very well written, crystal clear style, and with a rich buffet of new interesting angles of insight about the scientist we all know – I mean, we all think we know . . . Archibald has done an excellent job. I recommend the book to Darwin aficionados, aficionadas, students, scientists and Darwin scholars, i.e. to everyone interested in evolutionary biology and one hundred years of science history – and who is not. This is a powerful and authoritative guide to the complex and often misrepresented life and work of Charles Darwin. J. David Archibald has mastered the sources and takes his readers on an extraordinary journey.