This gentle self-portrait provides a unique insight into the beliefs and principles of the moral man whose theories on evolution shook the foundations of traditional religion and whose legacy courts both controversy and the accolade of being part of scientific orthodoxy in equal measure to this day.
The Autobiography of Charles Darwin [with Biographical In...
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
About the Author
Charles Robert Darwin (1809 - 1882) is known for his theory of evolution by natural selection. Born in Shrewsbury to a sophisticated English family, he attended the University of Edinburgh and the University of Cambridge. In 1831, Darwin took a voyage aboard the English survey ship HMS Beagle as a naturalist on a scientific expedition. Darwin is most famous for hisOn the Origin of Species (1859). He also published The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871).
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Luc Pierson
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The lay-out (small pocket size) is a little gem to have and hold in your hand, it is nice to have it in your jacket available anytime to wander mentally into the exceptional personality of Mr. Darwin and his very 'personal feelings'. The content of the book is above critizism of course !!, i.e. the strikingly emotional and sensitive words of the master-genius himself on his life in good and bad times, with additional descriptions and comments by his son, esp. on life at home with 'dad' !
But be warned, as far as content is concerned, this is an edited version by his son which is not the uncensurized version of Darwin's autobiography...
For that you have to buy the book of Nora Barlow where all 'contested' paragraphs (censured out in Victorian times)are included. However no books or letters on or by Charles Darwin should be overlooked, if presented in such a beautiful handy lay-out...!
But be warned, as far as content is concerned, this is an edited version by his son which is not the uncensurized version of Darwin's autobiography...
For that you have to buy the book of Nora Barlow where all 'contested' paragraphs (censured out in Victorian times)are included. However no books or letters on or by Charles Darwin should be overlooked, if presented in such a beautiful handy lay-out...!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An interesting insight into Darwin - a pity that his son removed the 'family' bits before he published it - it would have made it more interesting but that, I suppose, has been covered by others in biographys.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.8 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Overview of Darwin's Life
12 April 2007
By Joy Jean
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Darwin's Autobiography serves as a good overview of his life and the major events that happened to him. While the actual autobiography itself is very short and lacks details, its a good starting point for someone wanting to learn more about Darwin. In this edition edited by his son Francis Darwin leaves out some passages about Darwin's family and married life, something one could argue as particularly telling or interesting information; if this bugs you, buy the later edition.
One of the most interesting sections to me was Darwin's description of his boyhood and young adult years. It's comical to hear this scientist describe his obsession with the pastime of shooting things and his mediocre performance in school. A few things signal Darwin's observational powers or scientific inclination, such as his collection of beetles, but for the most part, he seems an ordinary young person.
Also, the book continually references scientists and intellectuals of the time which Darwin comments on. Some of these people were close to Darwin, others he just mentions. Now knowing these people can be somewhat frustrating to the reading, as I can attest to. The book is very much written and directed at his children, who would be familiar with this social context.
Even with these minor faults, Darwin does give insight into his own mind, something I'm sure anyone who's reading a book about Darwin is looking for. The introspection comes at the end of the book. Darwin speaks of his own reasoning capacities and ability to notice things which easily escape the observations of other men.
This book is short and a I recommend it as a good place to start for getting a handle on the major events of Darwin's life and hearing Darwin's own perspective.
One of the most interesting sections to me was Darwin's description of his boyhood and young adult years. It's comical to hear this scientist describe his obsession with the pastime of shooting things and his mediocre performance in school. A few things signal Darwin's observational powers or scientific inclination, such as his collection of beetles, but for the most part, he seems an ordinary young person.
Also, the book continually references scientists and intellectuals of the time which Darwin comments on. Some of these people were close to Darwin, others he just mentions. Now knowing these people can be somewhat frustrating to the reading, as I can attest to. The book is very much written and directed at his children, who would be familiar with this social context.
Even with these minor faults, Darwin does give insight into his own mind, something I'm sure anyone who's reading a book about Darwin is looking for. The introspection comes at the end of the book. Darwin speaks of his own reasoning capacities and ability to notice things which easily escape the observations of other men.
This book is short and a I recommend it as a good place to start for getting a handle on the major events of Darwin's life and hearing Darwin's own perspective.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Darwin's Autobiography edited and supplemented by his son Francis
23 Aug 2008
By CK
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This reprint of Francis Darwin's edition of the Autobiography is not the full version, but is fascinating nonetheless. Francis omitted some passages in deference to his mother, Darwin's widow Emma, who marked passages that she did not want published. (Interested readers can go to Nora Barlow's 20th century edition of the Autobiography for the full text). Francis Darwin's reminiscences of his father's working habits and "everyday life" (chapter 4) are wonderful. Chapters 5-18 are largely chronologically arranged extracts from Darwin's letters with Francis's commentary.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
a fun read
11 April 2007
By firebird12637
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This book is definitely a really fun read for someone with some leisure time and an interest in Darwin. It's important to not take this book too seriously (perhaps) because Darwin doesn't really take it that seriously himself. The autobiography tells us a lot about Charles Darwin the man and the way that he felt about certain issues but it barely scratches the surface: he has a great sense of humor (like when he talks about his original plans for being in the clergy) and sometimes he talks about his own life seriously (like his regret for not reading more poetry), but when you come down to it, the book is sort of written in a really mechanical manner. He doesn't really share with us any of his deepest desires or secrets (nor do we really expect him to).
Overall this autobiography is pretty fun to read and it's probably a good springboard from which we can then go and read his Origin of Species or Voyage of the Beagle.
Overall this autobiography is pretty fun to read and it's probably a good springboard from which we can then go and read his Origin of Species or Voyage of the Beagle.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 4 reviews
3.8 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
