An illuminating, nuanced account of the parallel discovery of a theory still deemed controversial by some.
An in-depth look at the seminal contributions of Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913)—often solely attributed to Charles Darwin (1809-1882)—that led “to revolutionary new understandings of earth history and of the life upon earth in the mid- to late nineteenth century.”
This book is a follow-up by Costa (Biology/Western Carolina Univ.; The Other Insect Societies, 2006 etc.) to On the Organic Law of Change: A Fascimile Edition and Annotated Transcription of Alfred Russel Wallace's Species Notebook of 1855-1859 (2013), which he edited and annotated. The author convincingly navigates potentially treacherous terrain, setting the record straight on Wallace's great achievement, which independently foreshadowed Darwin's On the Origin of the Species without in any way diminishing Darwin's “insights and accomplishments.” Costa provides an account of Wallace's scientific career leading up to his discovery and thereafter. Wallace first established himself as a naturalist, collecting specimens in Brazil and Southeast Asia and authoring books on his travels. Younger than Darwin by more than a decade, Wallace was familiar with Darwin’s earlier writings. In 1858, unaware that Darwin was writing his magnum opus, Wallace sent him a review copy of a paper he hoped to see published. Entitled On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely from the Original Type, it revealed the mechanism of natural selection in evolution. Darwin had been slow to reveal his own discovery of the theory, fearing the opprobrium he knew would follow publication. Now, to his distress, he was in danger of being scooped. At the suggestion of friends, a hitherto unpublished preliminary paper by Darwin was presented to a meeting of the Linnean Society together with Wallace's paper, establishing their joint priority and launching a fruitful future scientific collaboration.
An illuminating, nuanced account of the parallel discovery of a theory still deemed controversial by some.Pub Date: June 2, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-674-72969-8
Page Count: 292
Publisher: Harvard Univ.
Review Posted Online: May 5, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An intriguing meditation on the nature of the universe and our attempts to understand it that should appeal to both...
Italian theoretical physicist Rovelli (General Relativity: The Most Beautiful of Theories, 2015, etc.) shares his thoughts on the broader scientific and philosophical implications of the great revolution that has taken place over the past century.
These seven lessons, which first appeared as articles in the Sunday supplement of the Italian newspaper Sole 24 Ore, are addressed to readers with little knowledge of physics. In less than 100 pages, the author, who teaches physics in both France and the United States, cogently covers the great accomplishments of the past and the open questions still baffling physicists today. In the first lesson, he focuses on Einstein's theory of general relativity. He describes Einstein's recognition that gravity "is not diffused through space [but] is that space itself" as "a stroke of pure genius." In the second lesson, Rovelli deals with the puzzling features of quantum physics that challenge our picture of reality. In the remaining sections, the author introduces the constant fluctuations of atoms, the granular nature of space, and more. "It is hardly surprising that there are more things in heaven and earth, dear reader, than have been dreamed of in our philosophy—or in our physics,” he writes. Rovelli also discusses the issues raised in loop quantum gravity, a theory that he co-developed. These issues lead to his extraordinary claim that the passage of time is not fundamental but rather derived from the granular nature of space. The author suggests that there have been two separate pathways throughout human history: mythology and the accumulation of knowledge through observation. He believes that scientists today share the same curiosity about nature exhibited by early man.
An intriguing meditation on the nature of the universe and our attempts to understand it that should appeal to both scientists and general readers.Pub Date: March 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-399-18441-3
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Riverhead
Review Posted Online: Dec. 7, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
The Johnstown Flood was one of the greatest natural disasters of all time (actually manmade, since it was precipitated by a wealthy country club dam which had long been the source of justified misgivings). This then is a routine rundown of the catastrophe of May 31st, 1889, the biggest news story since Lincoln's murder in which thousands died. The most interesting incidental: a baby floated unharmed in its cradle for eighty miles.... Perhaps of local interest-but it lacks the Lord-ly touch.
Pub Date: March 18, 1968
ISBN: 0671207148
Page Count: 312
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1968
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