Alexander von Humboldt: Ansichten der Natur (Illustriert) (German Edition)

Similar authors to follow

---

On first reading, I made the mistake of taking Wulf's book primarily as a biography of Alexander von Humbolt: It is that and a good one , but foremost it is an argument for a new understanding of nature. I should have paid more attention to the first part of the book's title: Wulf is making the case that a proper understanding not simply appreciation of nature includes, perhaps requires, a passionate enthusiasm for nature, as well.

Follow the Author

She shows Humbolt as the embodiment of that new understanding -- romantic and poetic, as well as scientific. She then traces his influence in subsequent scientists, including Darwin, but even more in Thoreau, Marsh, Haeckel and Muir partly in their science, but particularly in their embrace of his enthusiasm.

Navigationsmenü

On the whole, Wulf succeeds on both counts, and her book is both a pleasure to read and a genuine contribution to our history of thinking about nature. But the tension in her purposes does require some concessions.

www.farmersmarketmusic.com: Ansichten der Natur (German Edition) eBook: Alexander von Humboldt: Kindle Store

Wulf deserves applause for her effort to restore Humbolt to his rightful place "in the pantheon of nature and science. It is unfortunate, and curious, that his fame has been largely eclipsed in the last century.

Partly, this is a matter of accessibility: Not only was he remarkably prolific, but much of the work is simply unavailable to English-language readers. Some recent popular books have helped, e. Wulf's remedy is the best contemporary biography of Humbolt, and that alone would make this book worth reading. Her particular service, however, is in providing an excellent summary of his principle ideas and new way of thinking about nature. From this foundation, she proceeds to make a strong case for his influence on subsequent generations of scientists and nature writers.

Because Wulf is focused on Humbolt as the progenitor of a new "invented" way of thinking about nature, a more comprehensive, and perhaps more complex, examination of the man gives way to the theme of influence on successors. This is not a defect in the book: It is a choice by the author to focus on the theme of a more subjective and impassioned understanding of nature, as embodied by Humbolt and then his successors.

But it does mean that a more purely biographical "life" of Humbolt remains to be written. Wulf's shifting focus from the man to the theme creates some tension.

At times, Wulf works so hard at restoring a deserved luster to Humbolt and his ideas that she may go too far. One might get the impression not only that all his ideas were original, but that much if not most of subsequent nature science was derivative of Humbolt, from Darwin's thinking on evolution to contemporary climate science. Indeed, many of Humbolt's astute observations can find an echo is contemporary nature science.

But many of his ideas regarding geology, species and the complex interaction in nature were "in the air" and under discussion at the time. In addition to some genuinely original concepts e. No small thing that!

Moreover, Humbolt certainly was an inspiration to many subsequent but equally original scientists -- my own first inklings of Humbolt's influence came from reading Darwin's account of being inspired by Humbolt's South American explorations. In short, Humbolt not only made major substantive contributions to science, but his remarkable travels and passion for nature inspired many then and since.

But how much contemporary science derives from his work, and why his contribution is nowadays less appreciated, is a larger and still open question.

This points to an additional caveat: In making the case not only for Humbolt's historical influence but contemporary relevance, Wulf sometimes leaves the impression that we are listening to her pronounce on contemporary issues, e. As noted, Wulf is making an unapologetic case for a subjective understanding and appreciation of nature. When Wulf relates the tale of an occasion when John Muir "jumping around and singing to 'glory in it all" derides a hiking companion for evidently too "cool" an appreciation of nature, she leaves no doubt where her sympathies lie.

Item Preview

Fair enough, so long as one recognizes that this stance occasionally colors her treatment of Humbolt, as well as his successors. Since I suspect that most prospective readers are like me inclined to sympathize, this is unlikely to be a problem for most. A final, non-trivial recommendation: In addition to being strong on substance, Wulf writes a very nice and expressive style, highly readable and nearly always interesting.

This is a needed and well-done biography. As to Wulf's broader argument about the legitimacy and importance of including subjectivity and passion in our scientific understanding of nature, she makes a strong case and needless to say makes it passionately. I re-wrote this review significantly upon reflecting on some thoughtful comments and responses by other readers -- thanks!

You do not currently have access to this article. You could not be signed in.

Productbeschrijving

Sign In Forgot password? Don't have an account? American Historical Association members Sign in via society site. Sign in via your Institution Sign in. Purchase Subscription prices and ordering Short-term Access To purchase short term access, please sign in to your Oxford Academic account above. This article is also available for rental through DeepDyve. Email alerts New issue alert.

Receive exclusive offers and updates from Oxford Academic. Related articles in Web of Science Google Scholar. Citing articles via Web of Science 4. The Holocaust as Paradigm? A Nation under Arms, —; Citizens and Soldiers.

Entrepreneurial Evangelicals in Depression and War.

• Your Health is Your Choice
• Kansas City Lightning: The Rise and Times of Charlie Parker
• Sustaining and Accelerating Pro-Poor Growth in Africa
• Kokoro no Katachi --- The Image of the Heart
• Daddy Fixes Everything
• Energy for a Warming World: A Plan to Hasten the Demise of Fossil Fuels (Green Energy and Technology)