Charles Darwin: And the Evolution Revolution (Oxford Portraits in Science) - Hardcover

Stefoff, Rebecca

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195089960 ISBN 13: 9780195089967

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1996

Synopsis

On the Origin of Species, published in 1858, transformed our view of the world and made Charles Darwin one of the most controversial figures in science. This biography begins much earlier with his long search for a profession, his five-year voyage around the world on the Beagle, and the decades-long intellectual journey he made in his study and garden. But it is for his theory about the origin of man and natural selection that he is remembered. His book threw the scientific community into a heated debate that continues today, and has made evolutionary biology one of the liveliest areas of science. This new biography looks at the person behind the controversy whose earth- shaking discoveries and ideas remain as exciting and interesting as today's headlines.

Oxford Profiles in Science is an on-going series of scientific biographies for young adults. Written by top scholars and writers, each biography examines the personality of its subject as well as the thought process leading to his or her discoveries. These illustrated biographies combine accessible technical information with compelling personal stories to portray the scientists whose work has shaped our understanding of the natural world.

About this title

About the Author

Rebecca Stefoff has written more than 50 books for young adults, specializing in geography and biography. She earned her PhD at the University of Pennsylvania and lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

Grade 7 Up?This portrait of a scientist "whose work has shaped our understanding of the natural world" is not only an excellent biography but also a fine introduction to evolutionary biology. Information on Darwin's childhood and education shows how his early passion for natural history provided background for the meticulous observations he made during his 5-year-long voyage on the HMS Beagle, the formulation of his theory of evolution, and the 20 years of additional research that he undertook before publishing On the Origin of Species in 1859. Stefoff gives the main points of Darwin's theory of "descent with modification" and effectively quotes the scientist's writings to communicate how his theory was influenced by the work of others and his desire to amass supportive data in anticipation of every possible objection. The author deals with the opposition that Darwin encountered on religious grounds and from fellow scientists in a particularly insightful fashion. She considers the path to general acceptance of the man's theory as part of science and common thought and addresses the on-going controversy surrounding Darwinism today. Well-captioned black-and-white archival photographs, reproductions, and drawings; a chronology, and two-or-three-page sidebars all extend the text. The impressive list for further reading includes titles by Darwin, books on his life and work, and on Darwinism and evolution. A well-written, thoroughly engaging biography.?Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Stefoff told part of Darwin's story in Scientific Explorers (1992); here she expands a chapter into a lucid, lively, systematic account of his two great journeys--one physical, one intellectual--and the modern course of the controversy he sparked. Temperamentally unsuited for either medicine or the clergy, young Darwin was still casting about for direction in life when he wangled a berth on the Beagle; five years later, he returned, of course, with crates of specimens, volumes of observations, and some disturbing ideas about nature that would occupy him for the next half-century. Noting that Darwin was not a lone genius, but part of a scientific community a-froth with new ideas and discoveries, Stefoff carefully traces the antecedents to his theory of natural selection, and describes its refinement, both in his hands, and in those of his successors, up to Stephen Jay Gould's concept of ``punctuated equilibrium.'' The storm of opposition gets due notice, too, from Tennyson's In Memoriam through the Scopes Trial to today's Creation Science (its arguments are delivered, however, without conviction or detail). This is a first-rate portrait of the man, public and private, as well as his circle and his scientific legacy, not as charming as Piero Ventura's Darwin, Nature Reinterpreted (1995, not reviewed) but thoughtful and authoritative. (b&w illustrations, glossary, bibliography, index) (Biography. 11+) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 9^-12. Budding evolutionary biologists will welcome this thoroughly researched biography, which emphasizes Darwin's tremendous influence in scientific, social, and political spheres. Sidebars offer concise, helpful summaries of important concepts, such as extinction and Mendelian genetics. An exception is the sidebar, "What Is a Species?" which does not reflect the complexity of the current definition of the term and demands more references than are given. Extensive photos of Darwin and his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as reproductions of public notices and cartoons, are handsome additions to the nicely laid-out text. There are no footnotes, but the solid bibliography cites many academic works and some children's biographies. The book will have limited appeal, though it offers generally thorough, clear explanations of Darwin's scientific theories and sheds light on his personality. Debbie Carton

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0195089960
• ISBN 13: 9780195089967
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 128