Synopses & Reviews
<div><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS ??'">One might make a case for saying that Darwin's life was dogged by bad luck. His mother died when he was seven; he was sent to a school at which he ‘learnt little'; he left medical school after two years, unqualified. Two of his children died in infancy. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span><br/><p class=MsoPlainText><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS ??'">On the other hand one could argue that he had a privileged and fortunate life - perhaps the more common view. Patrick H. Armstrong contends that although Darwin came to the right conclusions, he did not actually follow the right path in getting there. While his science was sometimes flawed, he had the distinct knack of good instinct. Armstrong presents a fresh view of Darwin's life and methods. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div>>
Synopsis
Just how far did Charles Darwin's luck -- both good and bad -- affect his life and scientific discoveries?
Synopsis
One might make a case for saying that Darwin's life was dogged by bad luck. His mother died when he was seven; he was sent to a school at which he 'learnt little'; he left medical school after two years, unqualified. Two of his children died in infancy.
On the other hand one could argue that he had a privileged and fortunate life - perhaps the more common view. Patrick H. Armstrong contends that although Darwin came to the right conclusions, he did not actually follow the right path in getting there. While his science was sometimes flawed, he had the distinct knack of good instinct. Armstrong presents a fresh view of Darwin's life and methods.
Synopsis
<div><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS ??'">One might make a case for saying that Darwin's life was dogged by bad luck. His mother died when he was seven; he was sent to a school at which he ‘learnt little'; he left medical school after two years, unqualified. Two of his children died in infancy. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span><br/><p class=MsoPlainText><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS ??'">On the other hand one could argue that he had a privileged and fortunate life - perhaps the more common view. Patrick H. Armstrong contends that although Darwin came to the right conclusions, he did not actually follow the right path in getting there. While his science was sometimes flawed, he had the distinct knack of good instinct. Armstrong presents a fresh view of Darwin's life and methods. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div>>
Table of Contents
List of illustrationsAcknowledgementsBibliographical note1. Introduction2. Charles Darwin's origins3. To lose one parent is a misfortune: childhood and adolescence4. Cambridge: it's who you know as much as what you know5. The offer and its acceptance6. Sailor's luck7. Scientific development aboard HMS
Beagle: seeing thiongs in the right order8. Darwin's women9. From London's 'dirt, noise, vice and misery' to an extraordinarily rural quiet village'10. The down and up of family life11. The dawning of dangerous ideas12. The origin of the Origin13. Afterwards14. Last things15. Good luck or bad luck?Index