Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - De ce peștii nu există

About a third of the way through this book, having googled David Starr Jordan, I was ready to finish this, as a hate reader if need be. Jordan was, without question, a horrible man. The atrocities he inflicted upon the world with his promotion of eugenics outweigh any good he may have done as a scientist by multiple orders of magnitude. Seeing Lulu Miller's hero worship of the man was off-putting, the more I learned of him. However, I ended up really enjoying this book as I read on, as Miller explores her own life alongside Jordan's, she brings along the reader. We learn of the atrocities he's committedin the same order she did while conducting the research for this book. It's still hard to have the hero worship of the young Jordan, with his love of stars and rescy jokes, when faced with the knowledge of his role in the American Eugenics movement.

Jordan's hands-on malicious acts, like his touring endorsement of eugenics and the possible murder by poison of his benefactor are completely bonkers. I am constantly amazed that people Revere him, while simultaneously understanding, as I, too have been in awe of the young man he once was.

This book breaks down every facet of Jordan, from his political, religious, and social beliefs; to his family life, addressing each idiosyncrasy with data driven research.

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ecidnac's review against another edition

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informative mysterious slow-paced

3.5

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callant's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

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pipn_t's review against another edition

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medium-paced

3.0

This was an alright book that I despised deeply when it became clear it was a biography and not a science book. I guess it’s a good example of why you shouldn’t read books based on a cool title. Did not enjoy nor come to care about the man being biographies at all. The title subject of the book was tacked on at the end. Didn’t appreciate that the author was trying to convert me to her nihilistic worldview, if I’m using the right word. Content warning for extended discussion of eugenics.

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lily1304's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.0

The earnest-to-funny ratio was too high and i think she was trying really hard to be poetic

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adk183's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

Intriguing weaving of memoir, natural science, biography and philosophy. Off-beat and thought provoking.

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emburs's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.0

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