hellojoie's review against another edition
4.0
I'm sad to say that on my first trip through a History of Psychology course, I wasn't super interested in Darwin. A little older and a little wiser when I took a similar grad school course, that all changed. I was assigned a presentation on Darwin's early life through his voyage on the Beagle, which led me to reading some snippets of his own writing. His writing was charming, often full of wit, and sometimes deeply moving (his letter on the death of his daughter Annie is particularly touching). Soon enough I found myself ordering this fully restored edition (edited by his granddaughter). I read a decent chunk in 2016 before life got in the way, and I've just devoured the rest of it in 2 days.
Perhaps it's my own ignorance, but Darwin's autobiography didn't read at all like I would expect something from a 19th century man of science would read. Perhaps this is because his autobiography was initially written for his family, but the tone is conversational, detailed without being boring, and full of humor. This edition includes passages previously removed by his family, including his then-controversial thoughts on religion (well, maybe now-controversial too in some circles). I lost a bit of steam in the appendices when passages detailing a semi-feud between Samuel Butler* and Darwin seemed to go on a bit longer than needed, but the original letters from Darwin's friends and families - full of their advice to him on dealing with a bully - were completely enchanting. I did not expect to laugh out loud multiple times at letters from the 1880s today, but hey, there you have it.
You can actually read this whole she-bang through Darwin Online, but it was well worth the money to own my own copy. Given how much my attitude toward Darwin changed in just 5 years, I'd love to reread this again in the future and see how my perspective has changed again.
* Edit 7/9/2017: In my first review I accidentally wrote Samuel Barber instead of Samuel Butler. To clarify, Darwin did not feud with one of the most important American music composers who lived a century after Darwin.
Perhaps it's my own ignorance, but Darwin's autobiography didn't read at all like I would expect something from a 19th century man of science would read. Perhaps this is because his autobiography was initially written for his family, but the tone is conversational, detailed without being boring, and full of humor. This edition includes passages previously removed by his family, including his then-controversial thoughts on religion (well, maybe now-controversial too in some circles). I lost a bit of steam in the appendices when passages detailing a semi-feud between Samuel Butler* and Darwin seemed to go on a bit longer than needed, but the original letters from Darwin's friends and families - full of their advice to him on dealing with a bully - were completely enchanting. I did not expect to laugh out loud multiple times at letters from the 1880s today, but hey, there you have it.
You can actually read this whole she-bang through Darwin Online, but it was well worth the money to own my own copy. Given how much my attitude toward Darwin changed in just 5 years, I'd love to reread this again in the future and see how my perspective has changed again.
* Edit 7/9/2017: In my first review I accidentally wrote Samuel Barber instead of Samuel Butler. To clarify, Darwin did not feud with one of the most important American music composers who lived a century after Darwin.
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.