This work, unsurprisingly, offers invaluable insights into the life and times of Charles Darwin, his personality and the formative influences that made him what he was, for here we have his own words and 'voice' at the close of a prodigiously productive career. He tells of his childhood, his student days at Edinburgh and Cambridge, his love of beetles, shooting and geology and of his grandfather, Josiah Wedgwood. He talks at some length about his meetings with the great scientific men of the age, his attitudes to his critics, to religion and of his theories of evolution. He also discusses his scientific methods and the background to the publication of many of his works including 'The Origin of Species' and 'The Descent of Man', and how he came to join 'The Beagle' as naturalist. This is an indispensable work for any student of Darwin, of evolution and conceivably, creationism. It is undoubtedly the autobiography of a great man.Greg Wagland reads The Autobiography of Charles Darwin for Magpie Audio. Note: This is the version authorized and edited by his son, Francis. Francis Darwin and Charles' wife Emma censored and excised some passages, in part to limit references made to his home life.
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"One of my very favorite autobiographies. Not only is it a fascinating study of a fascinating man, but it opens larger questions about what is success, what brings about fame, and how much control a discover has over the direction his discoveries take the world. " — Mary (5 out of 5 stars)
"One of my very favorite autobiographies. Not only is it a fascinating study of a fascinating man, but it opens larger questions about what is success, what brings about fame, and how much control a discover has over the direction his discoveries take the world. "
" Beautifully moving - humble, honest, funny (sometimes unintentionally) - his thoughts on the (non)existence of God as well as his deep commitment to science are beautiful, sincere, searching... "
" What's to say? I'm trying to ease into reading Origin of Species, so I'm finding out a bit about the man. He's quite witty, and the autobio is mercifully short. "
" Small, but proficient in covering the major events in Charles Darwin's life "
" As honest a look at a man's life one can expect. And an interesting look at the development of genius. "
" I was hoping for more insights into his life and thoughts, but this autobiography had more to do about his writing and publications.I did enjoy learning that he loved shooting and would practice his shooting techniques rather than do his homework. "
" So brief, but so fascinating. It's great to read of Darwin's life in his own words. At times sad, and at others, quite funny! Highly recommended, if only for Darwin's description of how mad he was about beetles. "
Charles Darwin (1809–1882) was an English naturalist and the first evolutionary biologist, best known for his controversial and groundbreaking The Origin of Species. He introduced the concept of natural selection, marking a new epoch in the scientific world. The importance of his work was well recognized by his contemporaries; he was elected to the Royal Society and the French Academy of Sciences and was also honored by burial in Westminster Abbey after he died.
Greg Wagland is an actor, audiobook narrator, and voice artist. His audiobook credits include classics, fiction, history, poetry, biography, nonfiction, science fiction, as well as young adult and children’s fiction.
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