The Invention Of Nature

Beskrivelse

Alexander von Humboldt was a pioneering scientist whose name is linked to countless natural landmarks and species. His adventurous life and groundbreaking ideas continue to influence science and culture today.

The fascinating story of Alexander von Humboldt, a visionary who shaped our understanding of nature and inspired generations.

Winner of both the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2016 and the Costa Biography Award 2015, this book takes you on an extraordinary journey through the life of Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), often regarded as the greatest scientist you've probably never heard of.

More things bear his name than anyone else: from towns and rivers to mountain ranges and ocean currents, even a penguin, a giant squid, and a lunar mare. Humboldt's thrilling exploits read like a classic adventure tale-he ventured deep into rainforests, scaled the highest volcanoes on Earth, and inspired a wide range of influential figures including princes, presidents, poets, and scientists.

His impact was vast: Napoleon envied him, Simon Bolivar’s revolution drew on his ideas, Darwin’s voyage on the Beagle was motivated by Humboldt’s work, and Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo owned all his books. A contemporary once called him "the greatest man since the Deluge."

Following Humboldt’s footsteps, Andrea Wulf recounts daring moments such as racing across anthrax-ridden Russia and mapping crocodile-filled tropical rivers. The book reveals why his insights remain vital, highlighting how Humboldt anticipated human-caused climate change as early as 1800.

The Invention of Nature tracks how his visionary thinking revolutionized science, conservation, nature writing, politics, art, and evolutionary theory. Humboldt’s insatiable curiosity and forward-thinking approach truly invented the modern way we perceive nature.

Yderligere information