the invention of nature the adventures of alexander von humboldt

Alexander von Humboldt really did invent the way we see nature. The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf is a biography of Alexander von Humboldt, a Prussian naturalist born in 1769. He wanted to know and understand everything and his way of thinking was so far ahead of his time that it's only coming into its own now. Humboldt predicted human-induced climate change as early as 1800, and The Invention of Nature traces his ideas as they go on to revolutionize and shape science, conservation, nature writing, politics, art and the theory of evolution. Taking us on a fantastic voyage in his footsteps - racing across anthrax-infected Russia or mapping tropical rivers alive with crocodiles - Andrea Wulf shows why his life and ideas remain so important today.

He simply was, as one contemporary put it, 'the greatest man since the Deluge'. Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was an intrepid explorer and the most famous scientist of his age. Napoleon was jealous of him Simon Bolivar's revolution was fuelled by his ideas Darwin set sail on the Beagle because of Humboldt and Jules Verne's Captain Nemo owned all his many books. The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldts New World (USA). London : John Murray (Hodder & Stoughton), 2015. His colourful adventures read like something out of a Boy's Own story: Humboldt explored deep into the rainforest, climbed the world's highest volcanoes and inspired princes and presidents, scientists and poets alike. The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World (USA). There are towns, rivers, mountain ranges, the ocean current that runs along the South American coast, there's a penguin, a giant squid - even the Mare Humboldtianum on the moon.

The great lost scientist - more things are named after him than anyone else. WINNER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY SCIENCE BOOK PRIZE 2016

The invention of nature the adventures of alexander von humboldt