The Invention of Nature – Reading Update: Part 5

I am a little sad.

This was a fascinating book, and I loved the chapter that described the last years in Humboldt’s life and the political changes that he was surrounded by, even tho for Humboldt the novelty of revolution had worn off because he had seen and been in the midst of so many of them.

As for the remaining chapters on Perkins, Haeckel, and John Muir, I am in two minds: We did not really need them to understand Humboldt and his times. But, they do illustrate – again – the far-reaching impact Humboldt and his work have had on a future generation that would lead to the birth of environmentalism.

I appreciate the link that Wulf creates between the extraordinary Humboldt and the subsequent discussions that are still current affairs more than I criticise Wulf for meandering a little in the last three chapters

What a book! What a guy!