Darwin's Armada: Four Voyagers to the Southern Oceans and Their Battle for the Theory of Evolution

By: Iain Mccalman

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Synopsis: Proving that good science (and good history) will make for a good story, McCalman (History, University of Sydney) presents a distinctive version of the beginnings of evolutionary biology during the 19th century. Weaving together the stories of naturalists Charles Darwin, Joseph Hooker, Thomas Huxley, and Alfred Wallace, the author shows how these men's scientific discoveries laid the groundwork for the theory of evolution, and how the support of Hooker, Huxley, and Wallace--the "armada" of the book's title--was essential to Darwin's efforts to persuade the scientific community that the theory of evolution was sound science. The book is especially good at showing how each scientist's ideas on evolution developed as a result of their field work, and how their similar field experiences in the Southern Hemisphere helped make them scientific allies. McCalman's engaging prose is complemented by 16 pages of illustrations, many of which are not the "usual suspects" found in books on Darwin or evolution. About as rip-roaring a science history as a reader could want, McCalman's book will have broad appeal. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc. , Portland, OR (booknews. com)