Click for full-size.
Darwin: portrait of a genius / Paul Johnson
by Johnson, Paul (1928-)
- Used
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Galway, Ireland
2 Copies Available from This Seller
(You can add more at checkout.)
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York: Viking, 2012. 1st edition. Hardcover. Fine cloth copy in an equally fine dust-wrapper. Particularly and surprisingly well-preserved; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Literally as new. Physical description: 164 pages; 24 cm. Contents; A heritage of genius, and its shadow -- Education and self-education of a scientist -- The loss of God -- The making of a masterpiece -- Among the apes and angels -- How the great botanist missed an opportunity -- Evils of social Darwinism -- Triumph and reversal of natural selection. Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary; Darwin's revolutionary career is the perfect vehicle for historian Paul Johnson. Marked by the insightful observation, spectacular wit, and highly readable prose for which Johnson is so well regarded, Darwin brings the gentleman-scientist and his times brilliantly into focus. From Darwin's birth into great fortune to his voyage aboard the Beagle, to the long-delayed publication of his masterpiece, Johnson delves into what made this Victorian gentleman into a visionary scientist and into the tragic flaws that later led Darwin to support the burgeoning eugenics movement. Subjects; Darwin, Charles 1809-1882. Naturalists - England - Biography. Biological Evolution - history. Scientists - History.
Synopsis
A “riveting” ( The Wall Street Journal ) biography of one of the most influential and controversial scientists in Western history Acclaimed historian and biographer Paul Johnson turns his keen eye on Charles Darwin, the towering figure whose work continues to spur scientific debate. With his publication of On the Origin of Species , Darwin forever changed our concept of the world. While Johnson praises Darwin’s extraordinary skills as a natural scientist and his monumental achievements, he does not sidestep Darwin’s tragic failures as an anthropologist. Johnson argues that by applying his theory of natural selection to humans, Darwin provided a platform for the burgeoning eugenics movement. Lay readers and academics alike will enjoy this concise and unflinching exploration of Charles Darwin, a genius whose discoveries—even the flawed ones—add significant dimension to our understanding of his mind, the era in which he lived, and his everlasting impact on our world.
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- MW Books Ltd.
(IE)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 236385
- Title
- Darwin: portrait of a genius / Paul Johnson
- Author
- Johnson, Paul (1928-)
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 2
- Edition
- 1st edition
- Publisher
- New York: Viking
- Date Published
- 2012
Terms of Sale
MW Books Ltd.
Returns accepted within 10 days of receipt if you are unsatisfied with either our description of, or the book itself.
About the Seller
MW Books Ltd.
Biblio member since 2005
Galway
About MW Books Ltd.
MW Books is an academic and antiquarian bookshop with a large stock in core areas such as Early Travel & Exploration, Nineteenth Century Literature, Early Political Economy, Labour and Social History, and Asian and Colonial History. Please don't hesitate to contact us with your questions or comments regarding any item listed.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Tight
- Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
Frequently asked questions
This Book’s Categories
Collecting One Book
Instead of collecting by series, author, publisher...why not just one title? Learn more about collecting variations and editions of one book.
How to tell if a signature is genuine
Author's signatures can undoubtedly increase the value of a rare book or first edition. The more scarce the book is, the more an autograph adds to its value. But how to tell if the signature is real? Find out how you can avoid common pitfalls in identifying an author's signature.
