Review of
The Invention of Nature Alexander von Humboldt’s New
World By Andrea Wulf,
Instaread summary
Alexander von Humboldt was a dedicated
scientist and naturalist that found more value in his scientific research than
in politics or heritage. Born into wealth and privilege in conservative
Prussia, von Humboldt traveled the world conducting naturalist explorations.
What is powerful about this summary is the
emphasis on the historical and social context within which von Humboldt lived.
As a child of privilege he was expected to act the part, yet he was profoundly
moved by what he saw in the treatment of slaves and was strongly opposed to the
practice. That was a rare attitude in the last years of the eighteenth century
and the early years of the nineteenth.
Alexander von Humboldt also was not an ardent
Prussian nationalist, he thought nothing of visiting other countries and
corresponding with fellow scientists, even when there were hostilities between
the nations. Also, von Humboldt was also very forward looking in his views
towards women, he actively encouraged women to attend and participate in his
scientific seminars.
This summary also mentions the many
significant people of many backgrounds that von Humboldt interacted with. Scientist
such as Charles Darwin, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Thomas Jefferson and Simon
Bolivar are just some of the people that von Humboldt encountered and engaged
in mutually beneficial relationships with.
Alexander von Humboldt was a person far ahead
of his time, in a world where nature was to be exploited, he looked ahead to
the need for conservation. He was a first class scientist that understood the
social cost of slavery and was a proponent of many aspects of gender equality,
something that few men would even consider. This summary captures much of the
essence of his life and convinces the reader that von Humboldt helped set the
foundation for a great deal of transformation in the way humans looked at and
understood their planet.
This book was made
available for free for review purpose
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