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Summary: a social history of scientist's life
Review: If you are interested in Darwin's personal life, by all means read this book. If you are more interested in Darwin's ideas, then I wouldn't bother with this book as there are many others. John Bowlby has a curious writing style that reminds me of a very well written clinical case study. There is a lot of "... which I will discuss in Chapter 25" and "I have stated above that ...". He is also fond of somewhat heavy-handed foreshadowing: " ... a decision which, in the future, he was likely to regret." End of chapter.Once one gets used to this very straightforward style this becomes a very good book. Chapter by chapter Bowlby lays out the facts of Darwin's life and then interprets them from a psychiatrist's point of view. He examines the social milieu in which Darwin was raised, the physical and emotional symptoms that he exhibited and expressed in writing and explains why Darwin was such a reclusive, sickly man. He convincingly rejects the 'tropical disease' explanation in favor of an anxiety disorder. The book is well illustrated with helpful maps that show you the geography of Darwin's childhood and of the Beagle's voyage and portraits of Darwin at various ages and of his relatives and colleagues. This is one of those biographies during the course of which you begin to get to know and empathize with the subject. In Darwin's case this is not a difficult sell. He seems to have been a genuinely good guy in all respects. You feel gratified to know that the person who shook the foundations of Western thought was not a jerk. Rather, he felt pretty terrible about it, but all the same felt required to tell the truth as he saw it, regardless of the consequences to his state of mind, which were considerable. We see that Darwin was pretty much the opposite of emotionally prepared to deliver a scientifically sound theory of evolution to the world and yet he did. That his intellectual discipline and fervor conquered his emotional demons seems so quinessentially ... well ... human and you can't help but be proud of him.
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Summary: Darwin the hypochondriac
Review: Most biographies are geared towards illustrating the life of a famous figure for the purpose of presenting or revisiting the accomplishments. This biography, however, does not give the central focus to the writings and finds of Charles Darwin; the thesis deals more with Darwin being a possible hypochondriac. The preface and appendix discuss recent research regarding Darwin's being an invalid during parts of his life. Some research deals with a disease that he may have picked up in South America while on the voyage of the HMS Beagle; some research says that Darwin was merely obsessed with being sick and therefore created a self-fulfilling prophecy. This brings us to the text. Although Darwin's life is shown to us, as well as some additional information on family and colleagues, the life is covered in regards to his worst periods of sickness. By plotting this out for us, Bowlby shows us that many of these periods are preceded by deaths of family members close to Darwin and by fierce scrutiny of his discoveries and writings. Another idea is the family's way of dealing with intense emotion. Rather than express this emotion by crying or mourning, it was internalized. This internalization led to depression, which led to sickness. This biography is written less as a narrative of Darwin's life, but more as a proof for the author's thoughts on Darwin's sickness. As a result, there are many points where the author becomes more noticeable. This is still an intriguing book, and I would recommend reading it.
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Summary: Darwin the hypochondriac
Review: Most biographies are geared towards illustrating the life of a famous figure for the purpose of presenting or revisiting the accomplishments. This biography, however, does not give the central focus to the writings and finds of Charles Darwin; the thesis deals more with Darwin being a possible hypochondriac. The preface and appendix discuss recent research regarding Darwin's being an invalid during parts of his life. Some research deals with a disease that he may have picked up in South America while on the voyage of the HMS Beagle; some research says that Darwin was merely obsessed with being sick and therefore created a self-fulfilling prophecy. This brings us to the text. Although Darwin's life is shown to us, as well as some additional information on family and colleagues, the life is covered in regards to his worst periods of sickness. By plotting this out for us, Bowlby shows us that many of these periods are preceded by deaths of family members close to Darwin and by fierce scrutiny of his discoveries and writings. Another idea is the family's way of dealing with intense emotion. Rather than express this emotion by crying or mourning, it was internalized. This internalization led to depression, which led to sickness. This biography is written less as a narrative of Darwin's life, but more as a proof for the author's thoughts on Darwin's sickness. As a result, there are many points where the author becomes more noticeable. This is still an intriguing book, and I would recommend reading it.
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Summary: Probably the best recent single volume Darwin Biography
Review: My title probably says it all, but I will elaborate. I still think that janet Browne has made the best START to a biography, I just wish she would finish by giving us Vol. 2! In the meantime we have Bowlby and that isn't half bad. Full of interesting background material and written with a lively pace A NEW LIFE manages to steer through some of the perils of "psychohistory" that have damaged other authors and gives us an interesting and at times provocative look at Darwin and Darwin's time. Well worth the read.
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Summary: Probably the best recent single volume Darwin Biography
Review: My title probably says it all, but I will elaborate. I still think that janet Browne has made the best START to a biography, I just wish she would finish by giving us Vol. 2! In the meantime we have Bowlby and that isn't half bad. Full of interesting background material and written with a lively pace A NEW LIFE manages to steer through some of the perils of "psychohistory" that have damaged other authors and gives us an interesting and at times provocative look at Darwin and Darwin's time. Well worth the read.
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Summary: Evolution unknowingly affected Darwin's behavior.Masterfully
Review: The life and times of Darwin are masterfully brought to our attention by child emotional development expert and pioneer John Bowlby. Darwin's biography and upbringing are masterfully revealed and how they relate to his lifelong behavior, health, choices, and decisions in life. A most interesting aspect of this book is how evolution unknowingly affected Darwin's behavior as he himself is formulating and writing his famous theories on evolution. Because of the voluminous and extremely revealing written personal and professional correspondence by Darwin and his acquaintances a very good record of his health can be deduced from it. A must for those interested in more details on Darwin's life and how evolution affected the emotions and behavior of the main founder of evolution himself; and written by child emotional development pioneer Bowlby. It is a very detailed and well written book. For a complete definitive traditional biography of Darwin you may want to go to a plethora of other books available on the subject.
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Summary: WELL WORTH THE READ
Review: This biography gives a new slant to the study of Darwin. It is by no means a new slant, but the author has certainly presented it in a much better fashion, more through, than any previous biographicals on Darwin. The author's style is easy and interesting. I Would highly recommend the additon of this one to your collection. Well worth the read. Hope we get to see more from this author.
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Summary: More of a man than just an evolutionist.
Review: This is a marvelous story about a complicated man who faced great trials in life yet accomplished great things. Instead of the tired evolutionists arguments, this book tells of the childhood, the courtship, the struggles with physical health and the great family accomplishments of Charles Darwin, without skipping the intellectual genius of his mind and his scientific achievements. Enthralling.
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