The Invention of Nature - The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt, the Lost Hero of Science: Costa & Royal Society Prize Winner (Paperback)

Reviews

"My review" by wilhelm R. - 28 March 2021

Pure pleasure!

"My review" by Tanya K. - 27 June 2018

The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf is not a complete or in-depth biography, but rather a journey to discover the forgotten life (and far reaching influence) of Alexander von Humboldt, the visionary Prussian naturalist and explorer whose ideas changed the way we perceive the natural world, and in the process created modern environmentalism. In this book, Wulf traces the threads that connect us to this extraordinary man, showing how Humboldt influenced many of the greatest artists, thinkers and scientists of his day. However, today he is almost forgotten outside academia (due to politics and changing fashions), despite his ideas still shaping out thinking. Ecologists, environmentalists and nature writers rely on Humboldt's vision, although most do so unknowingly. It is the author's stated objective to "rediscover Humboldt, and to restore him to his rightful place in the pantheon of nature and science" and to "understand why we think as we do today about the natural world". In my opinion, Andrea Wulf successfully shows the many fundamental ways in which Humboldt created our understanding of the natural world, and she champions a renewed interest in this vital and lost player in environmental history and science. Alexander von Humboldt was one of the founders of modern biology and ecology, and had a direct effect on scientists and political leaders. Wulf examines how Humboldt’s writings inspired other naturalists, politicians and poets such as Charles Darwin, Wordsworth, Simón Bolívar, Thomas Jefferson, Goethe, John Muir and Thoreau. The author successfully integrates Humboldt's life and activities into the political and social scene so we can get a picture of how important Humboldt was, and still is. Many people considered him the most famous scientist of his age. I found the chapters that describe Humboldt's expeditions to be fascinating - filled with hazards, wild animals, pests, injuries, epidemics, new discoveries and ideas. The chapters that discuss his busy social and work life were also interesting. However, I wish the author had spend more page space on his expeditions and discoveries, and less on the biographies of the people he influenced, especially the last few chapters which were somewhat long-winded. What I found rather refreshing was the lack of author speculation and interjection of her own theories - the narrative sticks to what is known. The author also manages to convey Humboldt's enthusiasm and energy so that the reader feels breathless just reading about all his activities. This biographical search for the invention of nature and the man who "invented" it, provides a great deal of food for thought, woven around the life of a great (and overly energetic) scientist. This was an enjoyable and informative reading experience. NOTE: This book includes three clear, easy to read maps that were particularly useful in following Humboldt's Journeys, and a large number of black and white, as well as colour illustrations were also included in the book. In addition, the author included an extensive section of notes, sources and bibliography, an index and a note on Humboldt's publications