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The Invention of Nature: The Adventures of Alexander Von Humboldt, the Lost Hero of Science

by Andrea Wulf
The Invention of Nature: The Adventures of Alexander Von Humboldt, the Lost Hero of Science
The Invention of Nature: The Adventures of Alexander Von Humboldt, the Lost Hero of Science

Epic scientific adventure; Humboldt's legacy revealed.

If you're drawn to stories of forgotten heroes who have shaped our understanding of the world, you'll find "The Invention of Nature" compelling. Andrea Wulf revives Alexander Von Humboldt's extraordinary legacy, showing how his prescient ideas created a foundation for modern environmentalism. She takes you on a journey through jungles and across mountains, illustrating how one man's insatiable curiosity and passion for nature influenced great minds and helped us view our world as an interconnected whole.

  • Royal Society Science Book Prize (2016)
  • Costa Book Award for Biography (2015)
  • Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science and Technology (2015)
  • Andrew Carnegie Medal Nominee for Nonfiction (Shortlist) (2016)
  • Kirkus Prize Nominee for Nonfiction (Finalist) (2015)
  • Dingle Prize for History of Science (2017)
  • Cundill History Prize Nominee for Finalist (2016)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

The Invention of Nature: The Adventures of Alexander Von Humboldt, the Lost Hero of Science

by Andrea Wulf
ISBN: 9781848549005
Authors: Andrea Wulf
Publisher: John Murray
Date of Publication: 2016-03-24
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: Nature, Biographies & Memoirs, Travel, Science, History
Related Topics: Biology, Natural History, Environment, Travel, Biography, Nature, History, Nature, Biology
Goodreads rating: 4.32
(rated by 27193 readers)

Description

Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was the most famous scientist of his age, a visionary German naturalist and polymath whose discoveries forever changed the way we understand the natural world. Among his most revolutionary ideas was a radical conception of nature as a complex and interconnected global force that does not exist for the use of humankind alone. In North America, Humboldt’s name still graces towns, counties, parks, bays, lakes, mountains, and a river. And yet the man has been all but forgotten. In this illuminating biography, Andrea Wulf brings Humboldt’s extraordinary life back into focus: his prediction of human-induced climate change; his daring expeditions to the highest peaks of South America and to the anthrax-infected steppes of Siberia; his relationships with iconic figures, including Simón Bolívar and Thomas Jefferson; and the lasting influence of his writings on Darwin, Wordsworth, Goethe, Muir, Thoreau, and many others. Brilliantly researched and stunningly written, The Invention of Nature reveals the myriad ways in which Humboldt’s ideas form the foundation of modern environmentalism—and reminds us why they are as prescient and vital as ever.
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

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*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

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Epic scientific adventure; Humboldt's legacy revealed.

If you're drawn to stories of forgotten heroes who have shaped our understanding of the world, you'll find "The Invention of Nature" compelling. Andrea Wulf revives Alexander Von Humboldt's extraordinary legacy, showing how his prescient ideas created a foundation for modern environmentalism. She takes you on a journey through jungles and across mountains, illustrating how one man's insatiable curiosity and passion for nature influenced great minds and helped us view our world as an interconnected whole.

  • Royal Society Science Book Prize (2016)
  • Costa Book Award for Biography (2015)
  • Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science and Technology (2015)
  • Andrew Carnegie Medal Nominee for Nonfiction (Shortlist) (2016)
  • Kirkus Prize Nominee for Nonfiction (Finalist) (2015)
  • Dingle Prize for History of Science (2017)
  • Cundill History Prize Nominee for Finalist (2016)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.