Naturalist by Edward O. Wilson | 1994 | Island Press | Paperback $ 39.00
In Naturalist, Wilson describes for the first time both his growth as a scientist and the evolution of the science he has helped define. He traces the trajectory of his life — from a childhood spent exploring the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida to life as a tenured professor at Harvard — detailing how his youthful fascination with nature blossomed into a lifelong calling.
As the narrative of his life unfolds, the reader is treated to an inside look at the origin and development of ideas that guide today’s biological research. Theories that are now widely accepted in the scientific world were once untested hypotheses emerging from one man’s broad-gauged studies. The story of Edward O. Wilson’s life provides fascinating insights into the making of a scientist and a valuable look at some of the most thought-provoking ideas of our time.
We’ve had a copy of this one on our shelves for years. It’s considered a must-read in the science nonfiction genre. Somehow I never got around to reading it until this year.
The book has two main themes; the first part is an account of the author’s childhood experiences and early years of the study of biology, while the second part is a discussion of his professional work and a behind-the-scenes look at a specific period of scientific academia more generally.
I don’t mind admitting that I found the first part of the memoir more charming than the latter. That said, the author did offer some really interesting insight into the early years of the seismic split between modern molecular-level vs. classic naturalist approaches to the study of biology (and the attending shift in both academic attention and research funding).
Wilson’s tale is engaging, even thought-provoking at points. I’d recommend it to readers who want to learn more about the history of biology as a science since the mid-20th century, but it will also be a great choice for anyone with even a passing interest in the natural sciences — or anyone who just enjoys a good memoir in general.
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Publication information: Wilson, Edward O. Naturalist. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2019. Paperback.
Source: Personal library.
Disclaimer: I am not compensated, monetarily or otherwise, for reviews of books or other products.
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