Title: Darwin’s Ghosts: The Secret History of Evolution
Author: Rebecca Stott
First published January 1, 2012
396 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781400069378 (ISBN10: 1400069378)
Rating: 3.75
Overview
Darwin’s Ghosts: The Secret History of Evolution by Rebecca Stott is a captivating journey through the origins of the theory of evolution. The book takes readers from Aristotle’s musings on the shores of Lesbos to the daring naturalists of the Jardin de Plantes during the Napoleonic wars.
Stott argues that the idea of evolution was not discovered single-handedly, but rather, it is a concept that emerged over many centuries, advanced by daring individuals across the globe who had the courage to challenge a system that presumed everything was created perfectly by God. With each chapter focusing on an early evolutionary thinker, Darwin’s Ghosts tells the story of a diverse group of individuals who felt compelled to understand where we came from despite the very real dangers of challenging the status quo.
Through these tales, Stott presents a groundbreaking new theory of an idea that has changed our very understanding of who we are. Darwin’s Ghosts is an extraordinary book that will enrich our understanding of how the struggle to think new thoughts is shared across time and space and among people.
About the Author
Born in Cambridge in 1964, Rebecca Stott grew up in a thriving Plymouth Brethren community in Brighton. Following her passion for literature and art history, she attended York University, where she earned her degree.
Despite raising her son, Jacob, who was born in 1984, Stott went on to obtain both an MA and PhD.
Stott’s academic success led her to write several books on Victorian literature and culture, as well as two non-fiction works, including a captivating biography of Charles Darwin and a cultural exploration of the oyster. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Stott now works as a Professor of English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia.
In addition to her professional achievements, Stott is a proud mother of three children: Jacob, Hannah, and Kezia. Since 1993, she has called Cambridge her home and has even produced several radio programs for Radio Four.
Stott’s debut novel, Ghostwalk, was published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson in the UK and is the first book to launch the fiction list of Spiegel and Grau – a new division of Random House – in the US. The novel is also being translated into 12 different languages, including Russian and Chinese.
Currently, Stott is hard at work writing her next novel, The Coral Thief.
Editoral Review
Rebecca Stott’s Darwin’s Ghosts: The Secret History of Evolution is a captivating and thought-provoking work of nonfiction that explores the lesser-known figures who contributed to the development of the theory of evolution. Stott, a British writer and historian, expertly weaves together the stories of these unsung heroes to create a rich tapestry of ideas and discoveries that ultimately led to Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking work, On the Origin of Species.
The book is part biography, part history, and part scientific exploration, making it a unique and engaging read. Stott’s writing style is accessible and engaging, making complex scientific concepts easy to understand while also bringing to life the historical and cultural context in which these ideas were born.
She expertly balances the personal stories of the scientists with the larger societal and intellectual forces at play during their time, painting a vivid picture of the struggles and triumphs that led to the development of one of the most influential scientific theories of all time.
The book covers a diverse range of figures, from the ancient Greek philosopher Anaximander to the 19th-century biologist Alfred Russel Wallace, and each chapter is devoted to a different scientist and their contribution to the theory of evolution. Stott’s research is meticulous, and her attention to detail is impressive, bringing to light many lesser-known figures who played a crucial role in shaping the theory of evolution.
One of the book’s strengths is the way in which Stott ties the historical and scientific events of the past to contemporary issues and debates. She highlights the importance of understanding the history of science in order to fully appreciate the complexity of scientific theories and the way they have been used and misused in society.
She also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions of scientists who have been excluded from the historical record due to their gender, race, or nationality.
If there is one weakness to the book, it is perhaps that it can be a bit dense at times, particularly for readers who are not well-versed in scientific terminology. However, Stott’s clear and engaging writing style largely compensates for this.
Overall, Darwin’s Ghosts is a fascinating and illuminating read that sheds light on the history of science and the many figures who played a role in shaping one of the most important scientific theories of all time. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of science, the theory of evolution, or the social and cultural forces at play in the development of scientific ideas.
Rating: 4.5/5
