Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year"
"Outstanding. . . . A superb biographical rehabilitation of an indispensable natural scientist." * Kirkus Review starred review *
"[Costa] gives naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace the biography he deserves in this definitive account. . . . Comprehensive and revelatory, this is a first-rate take on an overlooked figure in scientific history." * Publishers Weekly *
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Radical by Nature uncovers fresh details about a remarkable, idiosyncratic scientist and social activist, showing how humans’ understanding of the world was fundamentally altered by his ideas." * Foreword Reviews, starred review *
"Alfred Russel Wallace was perhaps the most famed naturalist of the Victorian age. . . . James T Costa’s hefty, in-depth account draws on letters, notebooks and journals to mark Wallace’s revolutionary life and achievements, on the 200th anniversary of his birth." * BBC Wildlife *
"An expansive and insightful biography. . . . [Costa] offers a fine introduction to Wallace’s life and work for the uninitiated—and a revelatory portrait for those of us who thought we already knew him."
---Jennie Erin Smith, Wall Street Journal"Alfred Russel Wallace, the codiscoverer of evolution by natural selection so often overshadowed by Charles Darwin, gets his star turn in this richly textured biography. . . . Deep research grounds the book, but Costa's prose is nevertheless breezy and informal, driving an often-exciting narrative." * Choice Reviews *
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[Radical by Nature] is well-documented using Wallace’s own publications. . . . Costa’s biography helps us to see that Wallace was not, in fact, a case of split personality: he was engaged in a lifelong effort to find a moral agenda underlying the activities of nature and the forces that drive human interactions.
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---Peter Bowler, Current Biology"Costa’s stated aim of writing an updated biography has been more than realised; this book is a triumph! I tremendously enjoyed
Radical by Nature and was very impressed with the depth of its scholarship. Next to an intimate portrait of this most fascinating scholar, Costa provides much detail on a critical period of scientific development and the social context in which it unfolded."
---Leon Vlieger, The Inquisitive Biologist"A must-read not only for biogeographers, evolutionary biologists and historians of science, but also for anyone who is interested in modern history and the origins of current societies during colonial times. Alfred Russel Wallace deserves many more homages, but this loving tribute from James Costa is a major step towards putting him into the place he deserves in history."
---Joaquín Hortal, Nature Ecology & Evolution"[
Radical by Nature] earns its place alongside other Wallace biographies. . . . It is both a competent biography of an incredible scientist while also being a compelling narrative. . . . A new take on the life and accomplishments of Alfred Russel Wallace."
---Jeremy B. Stout, Quarterly Review of Biology
