Despite some reiteration, her book is readable, thoughtful and widely researched, and informed by german sources richer than the english canon. The invention of nature book halifax public libraries. Humboldts books, diaries and letters reveal a visionary, a thinker far ahead of his time. More things have been named after him than anyone who.
A portrait of the german naturalist reveals his ongoing influence on humanitys relationship with the natural world today, discussing such topics as his views on climate change, conservation, and nature as a resource for all life. Her book fulfills her aim to restore humboldt to his place in the pantheon of nature and science, revealing his approach as a key source for our modern. The invention of nature is a book of ideas, which repays careful reading a most inspiring book the times astonishing new book sumptuous, finely written andrea wulfs book is a paragon of research, thoughtfulness, considerable humor and fine writing. His restless life was packed with adventure and discovery, whether he was climbing the highest volcanoes in the. Their father died when they were young, and their mother was emotionally detached from her sons. Everyone wants power and everyone is in a constant duplicitous game to gain more power at the expense of others, according to greene, a screenwriter and former editor at esquire elffers, a book packager, designed the volume, with its attractive marginalia. Apr 04, 2016 the invention of nature is a book of ideas, which repays careful reading.
The invention of nature book multnomah county library. Oct 22, 2015 although little known today humboldt created our view of nature and ecology. The invention of nature is a book of ideas, which repays careful reading a most inspiring book the times riveting biography of a brilliant but forgotten pioneer of natural science. The invention of nature book west vancouver memorial. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the invention of nature. The invention of nature by andrea wulf penguin random house. The invention of nature book the seattle public library. The intuitive yet systematising genius, courage and charm of humboldt also make this a most inspiring book the times andrea wulfs superb biography is a reevaluation of a great lost scientist whose thinking strongly affected the way we now conceptualise nature. As andrea wulf remarks in her arresting the invention of nature.
The invention of nature is a big, magnificent, adventurous book so vividly written and daringly researcheda geographical pilgrimage and an intellectual epic. Nothing, not even the tiniest organism, was looked at on its own. A portrait of the lesserknown german naturalist reveals his ongoing influence on humanitys relationship with the natural world today, discussing such topics as his views on climate change. He still intended to travel to lima, even though captain baudin wouldnt be there.
His restless life was packed with adventure and discovery, whether he was climbing the highest. This book, the invention of nature, is an extraordinary work of scholarship and writing. The story of one of the most profound polymaths youve probably never heard of. It deserves a special place on the bookshelf of any nature lover. With brilliant, surprising, and thoughtprovoking connections to simon bolivar, charles darwin, william herschel, charles lyell, walt whitman, edgar allen poe, henry david. The invention of nature, by andrea wulf the new york times. He revolutionized the way we view the natural world by making connections and framing nature as a unified whole. In times of global climate change this book could not be more relevant as it raises awareness through the fascinating and compelling story of avh. Five months after his arrival, humboldt finally left quito on 9 june 1802. Never just a simple collector or adventurer, he poured out his ideas in lectures, conversations, and books that made him the public face of science during his era. The invention of nature is an impressive work of scholarship and a labor of love by the author, editors, and publishers.
On one level, the invention of nature is a rollicking adventure story. Discover humboldts amazing perspective on our relationship to the world and find out how his ecological discoveries and observations are just as relevant and profound today as they were in the nineteenth century. Humboldt county in california, humboldt current off the coast of chile and. Here is a quick description and cover image of book the invention of nature. The invention of nature by andrea wulf, 2015 edition, in english first american edition.
His influence led to the creation of national parks and concern for the environment, he inspired others, and lived a full and fascinating life and this book relates the tale in very engaging way. Sep 27, 2015 as andrea wulf remarks in her arresting the invention of nature. Sep 08, 2015 the authors have created a sort of anti book of virtues in this encyclopedic compendium of the ways and means of power. Sep 15, 2015 the invention of nature is a big, magnificent, adventurous book so vividly written and daringly researcheda geographical pilgrimage and an intellectual epic. Humboldt was a prussian explorer, writer, geographer, and naturalist born in 1769. With brilliant, surprising, and thoughtprovoking connections to simon bolivar, charles darwin, william herschel, charles lyell, walt whitman, edgar allen poe, henry david thoreau. Alexander and wilhelm received exacting educations. This is the invention of nature by sea blue media on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. With this brilliantly researched and compellingly written book. Author andrea wulf discusses her book the invention of. In north america, his name still graces four counties, thirteen towns, a river, parks, bays, lakes, and mountains. Humboldt was the most interdisciplinary of scientists and is the forgotten father of environmentalism. Now andrea wulf brings the man and his achievements back into focus. He invented isotherms the lines of temperature and.
972 177 936 548 250 30 859 859 433 952 897 142 510 1527 105 1051 750 154 137 1245 1205 1264 578 951 1469 690 581 1368 1192 234 1314