caitlin_89's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great little book to aid my quest to learn a bit about Charles Darwin.
Darwin's actual autobiography is pretty short and makes up only half of the volume. Not a riveting autobiography, but his rambles were pleasant enough, and there were a couple amusing anecdotes. I enjoyed it.
The remaining half is mostly devoted to letters and articles about some controversy between Darwin and Butler which I had absolutely no interest in, and the rest are a couple of Darwin's personal notes, which was my favorite part.
Darwin's actual autobiography is pretty short and makes up only half of the volume. Not a riveting autobiography, but his rambles were pleasant enough, and there were a couple amusing anecdotes. I enjoyed it.
The remaining half is mostly devoted to letters and articles about some controversy between Darwin and Butler which I had absolutely no interest in, and the rest are a couple of Darwin's personal notes, which was my favorite part.
rachelol's review against another edition
3.0
Read for history class.
It was nice to read about Charles Darwin's life, but much of the autobiography was repetitive and boring.
It was nice to read about Charles Darwin's life, but much of the autobiography was repetitive and boring.
milandeep's review against another edition
4.0
I found Darwin's writing to be quite engaging. This autobiography was written by Darwin exclusively for his children and grand-children and was published posthumously. He writes his life's story with brevity but it gives a good sense of his life. Darwin's ability to self-reflect is one of the factors that lead to his profound insights on natural selection. His power of observation and critical analysis changed the course of science and how people looked at the world. Reading this short book is a great way to know his personal perspectives and motivations on science, evolution, geography, his friends, family and slavery, and the things he missed. "If I had to live my life again I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week."
This is a book where the appendices also make for a very good reading. This was the second Darwin biography that I have read. Now I need to get my hands on Janet Browne's two-part biography.
This is a book where the appendices also make for a very good reading. This was the second Darwin biography that I have read. Now I need to get my hands on Janet Browne's two-part biography.
mveldeivendran's review against another edition
3.0
It's one of the most successful autobiographies ever written as it satisfies the core purpose of getting inside the author's head and his thoughts very clearly! I would highly recommend it to science lovers and geeks.
suchkristenwow's review against another edition
2.0
I expected more detail of course on the Beagle expedition. There were a few fun little tidbits in here, but I was a bit disappointed.
readingintothevoid's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't COMPLETELY finished it, but I have finished the part of the book which is actually written by Charles Darwin and it was excellent. I think if anyone is endeavoring to read any of Darwins' other, more heavy works they should first read at least the autobiography section of this book. I find it really helps to get to know Darwin to be able to read his writing with better understanding.
And anyone interested in going into the field of naturalism or biology/botany/zoology I would GREATLY recommend this read. He gives a lot of advice on what he thinks made him so prolific in his field.
And anyone interested in going into the field of naturalism or biology/botany/zoology I would GREATLY recommend this read. He gives a lot of advice on what he thinks made him so prolific in his field.
miseamhain's review against another edition
3.0
Pleasant short read that I imagine is greatly appreciated by Darwin's children and grandchildren.
silverthane's review against another edition
3.0
Charles Darwin was an amazing man, his scientific theories changed history forever and the importance of his works to the modern world can hardly be exagerated.
However, as with his 'Journey of the Beagle' and 'Origin of Spieces' I find his writing style very dry and difficult to read.
The portions of the book in which he talks about his family, childhood experiences and friends are very interesting and give the reader an excellent idea of his early life. Sadly the latter chapters of the book slip into details of his scientific publications which I really found boring and a poor ending to the book in general. If you are a fan of Darwin it is definately worth a read.
However, as with his 'Journey of the Beagle' and 'Origin of Spieces' I find his writing style very dry and difficult to read.
The portions of the book in which he talks about his family, childhood experiences and friends are very interesting and give the reader an excellent idea of his early life. Sadly the latter chapters of the book slip into details of his scientific publications which I really found boring and a poor ending to the book in general. If you are a fan of Darwin it is definately worth a read.
rosenectur's review against another edition
1.0
This was the book I challenged my professor on. I proposed that this book picked along with the existentialist work The Brothers Karamazov where chosen particularly to make the two of us who were Christians in the class uncomfortable. I accused him of trying to convert us. He argued that he picked them because they were important books to understanding history and philosophy (and because he had never read either.) He urged me to read this autobiography saying that I may be surprised by what I find in it. I was not surprised, and it did nothing to change my mind about Darwin or Evolution. Darwin is nothing more than an eccentric gentleman's scientist. He had family money, and probably married for more money and disregarded the fact that he was trampling on the religion his wife held dear. It was a waste of my time to read this book, esp. since most of the others in the class did not come prepared to discuss it.