Charles Darwin: A Reference Guide to His Life and Works

by J. David Archibald

Overview

Charles Darwin: A Reference Guide to His Life and Works summarizes the life of Charles Darwin who is best known for his theory of evolution. He was a naturalist, a geologist, and a biologist and is one of the most influential figures in history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538111635
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/15/2018
Series:	Significant Figures in World History Series
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

J. David Archibald is an emeritus professor of biology, teaching at Yale University and San Diego State University. He led over 30 paleontological expeditions in the U. S. and central Asia. He is the author of almost 200 articles and author or co-editor of eight books, the most recent in 2017 Origins of Darwin's Evolution: Solving the Species Puzzle Through Time and Place.

Editorial Reviews

Highly Recommended: Charles Darwin: though this is a name most people recognize, most know little about the man himself. One of the first entries in Rowman & Littlefield’s new "Significant Figures in World History" series, this slim volume provides a wealth of detail. Paleobiologist Archibald (San Diego State) is the author of Origins of Darwin’s Revolution (CH, Jul'18, 55-4011) and Aristotle’s Ladder, Darwin’s Tree (CH, Mar'15, 52-3638), among other works. His subject matter expertise is evident as he outlines Darwin’s life and research in several ways. A 20-page chronology encapsulates every year of Darwin’s adult life; 126 pages of brief encyclopedia entries summarize significant people, publications, concepts, and more; a 38-page bibliography inventories Darwin’s writing as well as major works about Darwin and his research; an 18-page index provides additional access points. This year marks the 210th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 160th anniversary of the publication of the landmark On the Origin of Species. This accessible reference guide is likely to appeal to readers who want to learn more about Darwin and his significant contributions to our ever-evolving understanding of the world around us.

Choice Reviews

This book is one of the first volumes in a new series by the publisher: Significant Figures in World History, which also includes Robert E. Lee and Leonardo da Vinci. In addition to the 122-page alphabetical list of entries, there is a detailed 22-page chronology of Darwin’s life, with as many as 36 items listed for a single year, as well as a 40-page bibliography which focuses on Darwin’s publications (books and articles), and reviews of his books. It also includes dozens of secondary sources, both books and journal articles, examining many aspects of his life and work. The bibliography will lead interested readers to texts which explore many of his contributions to science and his importance in the last century and a half. A dozen photos are also included. Useful features of this volume, particularly for readers less familiar with Darwin’s life, are the introduction and a system of cross-references linking entries throughout the text. The entries include biographies of colleagues and family members, many Darwin publications, residences of the Darwin family, and aspects of the science surrounding evolution. This is clearly a fine introduction to an important scientist, thinker and author of the 19th century. Libraries with readers interested in science should consider it as a starting point for the life and work of an important figure.—Mark Schumacher

American Reference Books Annual

Highly Recommended: Charles Darwin: though this is a name most people recognize, most know little about the man himself. One of the first entries in Rowman & Littlefield’s new "Significant Figures in World History" series, this slim volume provides a wealth of detail. Paleobiologist Archibald (San Diego State) is the author of Origins of Darwin’s Revolution (CH, Jul'18, 55-4011) and Aristotle’s Ladder, Darwin’s Tree (CH, Mar'15, 52-3638), among other works. His subject matter expertise is evident as he outlines Darwin’s life and research in several ways. A 20-page chronology encapsulates every year of Darwin’s adult life; 126 pages of brief encyclopedia entries summarize significant people, publications, concepts, and more; a 38-page bibliography inventories Darwin’s writing as well as major works about Darwin and his research; an 18-page index provides additional access points. This year marks the 210th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 160th anniversary of the publication of the landmark On the Origin of Species. This accessible reference guide is likely to appeal to readers who want to learn more about Darwin and his significant contributions to our ever-evolving understanding of the world around us.

Choice

Highly Recommended: Charles Darwin: though this is a name most people recognize, most know little about the man himself. One of the first entries in Rowman & Littlefield’s new "Significant Figures in World History" series, this slim volume provides a wealth of detail. Paleobiologist Archibald (San Diego State) is the author of Origins of Darwin’s Revolution (CH, Jul'18, 55-4011) and Aristotle’s Ladder, Darwin’s Tree (CH, Mar'15, 52-3638), among other works. His subject matter expertise is evident as he outlines Darwin’s life and research in several ways. A 20-page chronology encapsulates every year of Darwin’s adult life; 126 pages of brief encyclopedia entries summarize significant people, publications, concepts, and more; a 38-page bibliography inventories Darwin’s writing as well as major works about Darwin and his research; an 18-page index provides additional access points. This year marks the 210th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 160th anniversary of the publication of the landmark On the Origin of Species. This accessible reference guide is likely to appeal to readers who want to learn more about Darwin and his significant contributions to our ever-evolving understanding of the world around us.

CHOICE