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Darwin's Sacred Cause: Race, Slavery and the Quest for Human Origins by James Moore, Adrian Desmond
maxpearl's review against another edition
4.0
It was really interesting to read this. I've been very familiar with the scientific side of Darwin's work, but not the historical side. This book lays out (in great detail) the conditions and contexts into which Darwin was born, and how he became so dedicated to the anti-slavery cause.
And, it's a good reminder that science isn't carried out by "objective observers" - science is carried out by human beings, with opinions and points of view. The work isn't invalidated by it, but enriched by it. (The validation, of course, comes later with other scientists with different ideas and opinions finding the same thing.)
Anyway, if Darwin, or evolutionary biology is an interest of yours, this is a worthy read. I really enjoyed it.
And, it's a good reminder that science isn't carried out by "objective observers" - science is carried out by human beings, with opinions and points of view. The work isn't invalidated by it, but enriched by it. (The validation, of course, comes later with other scientists with different ideas and opinions finding the same thing.)
Anyway, if Darwin, or evolutionary biology is an interest of yours, this is a worthy read. I really enjoyed it.
alldebooks's review against another edition
5.0
This incredibly detailed book sheds light on the physical, mental and emotional toll
Darwin's theories had on him. It explores his committement to the abolition of slavery and the drive this gave him to prove without doubt, the origin of all races came from a common ancestor.
At times, I found myself frustrated at Darwin's hesitation to publish his theories of evolution but this book shows the struggles and battles he was up against. The sheer horror of such acute racism and elitism in the majority of Caucasians was utterly repellent. There are some real gutsy characters in here many of them, women, the Wedgewood sisters, Martineau, really fighting for the abolition movement.
This book is an amazing achievement, chronicling the thought processes and ideas (fleeting or otherwise) that led Darwin to his conclusions of the Origins of the Species. Outstanding.
Darwin's theories had on him. It explores his committement to the abolition of slavery and the drive this gave him to prove without doubt, the origin of all races came from a common ancestor.
At times, I found myself frustrated at Darwin's hesitation to publish his theories of evolution but this book shows the struggles and battles he was up against. The sheer horror of such acute racism and elitism in the majority of Caucasians was utterly repellent. There are some real gutsy characters in here many of them, women, the Wedgewood sisters, Martineau, really fighting for the abolition movement.
This book is an amazing achievement, chronicling the thought processes and ideas (fleeting or otherwise) that led Darwin to his conclusions of the Origins of the Species. Outstanding.
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