The Invention of Nature

Synopsis

WINNER OF THE 2015 COSTA BIOGRAPHY AWARD

WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2016

'A thrilling adventure story' Bill Bryson

'Dazzling' Literary Review

'Brilliant' Sunday Express

'Extraordinary and gripping' New Scientist

'A superb biography' The Economist

'An exhilarating armchair voyage' GILES MILTON, Mail on Sunday

Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) is the great lost scientist - more things are named after him than anyone else. There are towns, rivers, mountain ranges, the ocean current that runs along the South American coast, there's a penguin, a giant squid - even the Mare Humboldtianum on the moon.

His colourful adventures read like something out of a Boy's Own story: Humboldt explored deep into the rainforest, climbed the world's highest volcanoes and inspired princes and presidents, scientists and poets alike. Napoleon was jealous of him; Simon Bolìvar's revolution was fuelled by his ideas; Darwin set sail on the Beagle because of Humboldt; and Jules Verne's Captain Nemo owned all his many books. He simply was, as one contemporary put it, 'the greatest man since the Deluge'.

Taking us on a fantastic voyage in his footsteps - racing across anthrax-infected Russia or mapping tropical rivers alive with crocodiles - Andrea Wulf shows why his life and ideas remain so important today. Humboldt predicted human-induced climate change as early as 1800, and The Invention of Nature traces his ideas as they go on to revolutionize and shape science, conservation, nature writing, politics, art and the theory of evolution. He wanted to know and understand everything and his way of thinking was so far ahead of his time that it's only coming into its own now. Alexander von Humboldt really did invent the way we see nature.

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Summary

Chapter 1: The Linnaean Revolution

Summary:

This chapter traces the origins of modern taxonomy to the work of Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century. Linnaeus's system of binomial nomenclature and hierarchical classification established a foundation for organizing and describing the natural world.

Example:

Linnaeus classified the common daisy as *Bellis perennis*, its genus and species names, respectively. This standardized naming system allowed scientists to communicate about species across languages.

Chapter 2: "Nature" in the Eighteenth Century

Summary:

The concept of "nature" evolved from a focus on practical uses in the 16th century to a more systematic and scientific approach in the 18th century. Enlightenment thinkers emphasized the importance of observation and experimentation to understand nature's laws.

Example:

Naturalists like Buffon and Pallas conducted extensive fieldwork and observations, contributing to a growing knowledge of animal behavior, anatomy, and geographic distribution.

Chapter 3: The Discovery of Invisibility

Summary:

This chapter discusses the scientific discovery of invisible microorganisms in the 19th century. Leeuwenhoek's microscope and Pasteur's germ theory revolutionized understanding of the role of microorganisms in health, disease, and decomposition.

Example:

The discovery that bacteria caused diseases like cholera led to the development of vaccines and public health measures to prevent infections.

Chapter 4: The Geography of Wildness

Summary:

Explorers and naturalists of the 19th century ventured into remote and unexplored regions, discovering new species and ecosystems. This era marked the rise of conservation movements aimed at preserving natural habitats.

Example:

John Muir's advocacy for the preservation of Yosemite Valley and the establishment of national parks laid the foundation for modern conservation efforts.

Chapter 5: The Invention of Extinction

Summary:

The 19th century also witnessed a growing awareness of the extinction of species. Cuvier's work on fossils demonstrated that animals could become extinct, challenging the idea of a fixed and unchanging natural world.

Example:

The extinction of the passenger pigeon in the early 20th century highlighted the consequences of unchecked hunting and habitat destruction.

Chapter 6: Mapping the Human Genome

Summary:

This chapter explores the advent of genetic science in the 20th century. The Human Genome Project mapped the sequence of human DNA, leading to new insights into human evolution, disease susceptibility, and potential medical treatments.

Example:

The identification of genes associated with inherited diseases has improved diagnosis, treatment, and genetic counseling.

Chapter 7: The Trouble with Wilderness

Summary:

The rise of environmentalism in the 20th century has led to debates about the role of humans in nature. Some argue for the preservation of "untouched" wilderness, while others emphasize the interconnectedness of human and natural systems.

Example:

The controversy surrounding the construction of dams in the Grand Canyon highlights the tension between economic development and environmental conservation.