Understanding Charles Darwin

‘Erik Peterson’s book on Charles Darwin introduces us to Darwin the scientist, Darwin the family man, Darwin the silicone-rich member of British upper-middle-class society, at a time when the Empire was at its peak. Never before have I got to know Charles Darwin more intimately and fully; never before did I realize that such knowledge is absolutely vital to understand the revolution associated with Darwin’s name. Highly recommended.’ Michael Ruse, University of Guelph, Ontario, and Florida State University ‘Erik Peterson has given us a fresh, deeply informed, and engaging portrait of Darwin and his revolutionary scientific achievements. Peterson also succeeds admirably in placing Darwin in historical context, both within British society and among his gentlemanly scientific peers. At the same time, this eminently readable account dispels a series of myths and misunderstandings about Darwin’s thinking and influence. Of special interest is Peterson’s masterful account of Alfred Russel Wallace’s independent discovery of the theory of natural selection, together with the various ways that Darwin and Wallace differed in their evolutionary thinking. Altogether, a captivating and richly informative read.’ Frank J. Sulloway, University of California, Berkeley ‘This well-written volume unpacks a host of misunderstandings about Darwin. In attacking the pedestal that many twentieth-century biologists erected, Peterson provides a more balanced view of Darwin while also highlighting commonly overlooked contributions from others. The Captain of the Beagle, Robert FitzRoy, has been portrayed as a Bible-thumping creationist arguing against Darwin’s revolutionary insight, but Peterson re-emphasizes how FitzRoy helped stimulate adaptive explanations. The ornithologist John Gould, if he is mentioned at all, is termed Darwin’s bird identifier, but Peterson points out that it was Gould, not Darwin, who focused on the significance of the Galapagos beaks. And Peterson’s own detailed research on the history of eugenics makes him the perfect foil for the myth that the Holocaust grew out of Darwin’s theory. If you want to see Darwin, warts and all, this book takes you there.’ Jim Bindon, The University of Alabama ‘In this delightful book, Erik Peterson explodes numerous fairytales about Darwin's life and influence. Amongst these is the fiction that Darwin was a solitary genius. Peterson's corrective is a story alive with numerous people, many of them now forgotten, who played diverse roles in making Darwin the man he was. Peterson's prose sparkles; it is conversational and engaging.’ Elliott Sober, University of Wisconsin–Madison ‘This crisp account of Darwin, warts and all, shows him finding his distinctive voice among earlier evolutionists, including his grandfather Erasmus, standing his ground between friends who would pull him toward creationism and others who would push him toward atheism, and after his death recruited to this day for a host of dubious causes. Built on thorough knowledge of the extensive archival material and current scholarship, Understanding Charles Darwin will be an eye-opener for students and scholars alike.’ David Depew, University of Iowa ‘What do we really know about Charles Darwin, the man? In this engaging account, Peterson uncovers the true story behind one of history’s most iconic and mythologized scientists. Understanding Charles Darwin dismantles several misunderstandings lodged into our collective consciousness, resulting from what Peterson terms ‘the Darwin industry.’’ Iris Clever, University of Chicago