Kerry Walters 2008-10-12

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

First, it's quite important to note this: neither the catalogue description attached to this item nor many of the readers' reviews actually speak to the Very Interesting People series volume on Darwin. Instead, they refer to Janet Browne's magisterial (two volume) biography of Darwin. Confusing.

Second, the actual short VIP biography of Darwin co-written by Adrian Desmond, James Moore, and Janet Browne, is a judiciously compact overview of his life and work--although it's SO compact that it tends to be a Sergeant Friday-like "just the facts, ma'am" exercise. The authors run through Darwin's early years, his Beagle adventures, his return to England, gradual invalidism, marriage, Downe House, the writing of the Origin, and his subsequent work. None of it is new or unexpected, but an especially nice feature is the way in which the authors demonstrate that Darwin's post-Origin writing, varied as it seems on the surface, all labors to continue the Origin thesis by documenting gradual change (earthworms working the earth), variability (his work on orchids), adaptability (plant fertilization), and commonalities across species (emotions). For the casual explorer of Darwin's accomplishments, this tying-together is very helpful.

Readers who find themselves wanting to know more about Darwin's life, times, and work can do no better than use this little book as a stepping stone to the Origin of Species itself (perhaps an abridged version) and Janet Browne's huge and fascinating biography.

Monica Ruiz 2008-02-13

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

interesting biography of the life of Charles Darwin...great insights on his childhood and early experiences.

B00KW0RM 2007-05-13

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

I actually first checked this book out from my university's library and liked it so much that I went ahead and bought it for my personal library. Browne explores Darwin's life in the text in an extremely compelling and easily comprehendable manner. While I don't believe Charles Darwin: Voyaging is explicit and detailed enough to negate the need for true Darwin enthusiasts to discover Darwin for themselves through reading his autobiography, collected correspondence, and great scientific works (The Origins of Species, Descent of Man etc...) I do think the text accomplishes what it was meant to do--give those curious about Darwin's life and works the basic overview they need before pursuing the topic in more depth.

Calochortus 2007-01-30

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Exceptional book, if in doubt, buy it. I knew it would be great after reading so many positive reviews, for some years, and was not disappointed. Unlike some overly detailed biographies, every word seems worthwhile here, from that first glorious sentence to the last. Here is the great adventure story of all time, biology-wise. All I can do is add my two cents worth to what is said elsewhere, don't miss this one.

Hector Hugo Parra Riffo 2005-08-15

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

Un libro estupendo. Erudito ,informado , ameno y riguroso.¿Que mas podemos pedirle a Janet Browne?