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The Heretic in Darwin’s Court: The Life of Alfred Russel Wallace

Ross A. Slotten

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Dec 26, 2011 Steve Van Slyke rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history, kindle, science

Right from the beginning you know you are in for a treat because the author writes so smoothly and vividly that you almost don't care what he's saying, but the story is fascinating as well.

After weaving through the tumultuous events that shaped young Wallace's life, we find ourselves on a great journey to Brazil to collect specimens. The conditions that he faced, the people he met, and the places he visited were all interesting and in many cases horrifying. The conclusion of this adventure is so Right from the beginning you know you are in for a treat because the author writes so smoothly and vividly that you almost don't care what he's saying, but the story is fascinating as well.

After weaving through the tumultuous events that shaped young Wallace's life, we find ourselves on a great journey to Brazil to collect specimens. The conditions that he faced, the people he met, and the places he visited were all interesting and in many cases horrifying. The conclusion of this adventure is so incredible that if it were fiction the author would be accused of going over the top.

Then we come to the amazing coincidence in time of the introduction to the world of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection by two men, not only of vastly different class and education, but also of physical separation—Darwin in England—Wallace in Malaysia, and method—Darwin experimenting in his lab for years, Wallace collecting specimens in island jungles and arriving at the theory in a burst of sudden inspiration.

But was Darwin stymied and only able to complete his theory when he received a manuscript from Wallace, in other words, did Darwin steal from Wallace? The author clearly states the arguments on both sides and I believe comes to a reasonable conclusion. The exchange of correspondence between Wallace and Darwin during this critical time (and throughout their lives) is amazing and speaks well of the integrity, honesty and humility of both. That two such men could elaborate a virtually identical theory independently only adds to its strength. Once Darwin published the Origin of Species, Wallace stepped aside, gave all credit to Darwin and went on to pursue other interests, most notably his discovery of an invisible line that separates diverse groups of fauna in Malaysia and New Guinea-Australia, the so-called Wallace Line, although he continued to defend natural selection whenever it was attacked.

In the second half of the book (and Wallace's life) he suddenly veers off the path of his illustrious career in zoology, entomology and biogeography into the bizarre world of spiritualism with its seances and mediums, somewhat tarnishing his reputation as a serious scientist. It seemed to me that Wallace became impatient when science could not answer all the big questions, such as the orgin and fate of human consciousness, and so he substituted his own answers without the benefit of the rigorous scientific method that he, and particularly Darwin, would normally have applied.

Given all the illnesses that plagued him during his tropical excursions and throughout the rest of his life, it is astounding that he not only lived to the age of ninety, but that he remained as engaged in his correspondence and studies as he had always been right up until the day of his passing.

All in all an amazing book about an amazing man. In his day they referred to it as the Darwin-Wallace Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. It would be fitting if that title were resurrected. ...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Erica marked it as to-read

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