Seems to tie together not only science, but history too. Fascinating

I rarely read biographies & I normally find C18 European history very dull. But this book has awakened my interest. Most amazing fact about Humbolt (in my opinion): the huge number of gigantic ally famous people he met, indeed was acquainted with. A real science adventure story. But then ... Humbolt himself gets into a slightly shambling old age, & so does this book. There's a long tail, with mini-biographies of some of the main people influenced by Humbolt. That's still interesting but ... Well, less so.

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7 people found this helpful

I learned a lot

Very intersting book, well researched. I did not know much about von Humboldt and bought this to listen to in the car with my husband. He knew more than me (he's a scientist) but the book kept him enthralled too. Well written, wel read, what more can you ask?

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Investment of nature

Excellent true story, informative, interesting and compelling. I have enjoyed listening to it twice over. Surprisingly ahead of his time and already aware of the damage humanity causes

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Absolutely fascinating - a book for today.

If you could sum up The Invention of Nature in three words, what would they be?

Pertinent ecological history

What other book might you compare The Invention of Nature to, and why?

None

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Oh dear - this is where the criticism comes in, on what is otherwise an excellent book.
Firstly the positive - the narrator is very clear in his diction, which is good.
I don't like American accents generally, but they are not a problem for me normally. But the narrator has some really strange pronunciations, which I am sure are not "standard" American English. "Himalya" for the Himalaya is bad enough, but with a common word like "Parisian" I was driven to distraction.
Also there was not really sufficient feeling in the narrator's work - he was just narrating.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The early chapters, when Humbolt was carrying out his explorations of South America, were by far the most interesting - it was fascinating to hear that issues such as climate change were being considered two hundred years ago, when many of today's politicians remain unconvinced.

Any additional comments?

I would certainly recommend this. I am not of a scientific bent, but I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would have enjoyed it more with a better chosen narrator.

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5 people found this helpful

Excellent and a revelation

What made the experience of listening to The Invention of Nature the most enjoyable?

Wonderfully read and so inspiring about someone who was so famous in his time but is relatively unknown now.

What did you like best about this story?

Humboldt is such an inspiring and energetic person with such passion for our world.

What does David Drummond bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Wonderfully read - so easy and pleasant to listen to. He added such life to the story without imposing his own personality.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes - a real empathy with Humboldt and what he stood for.

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Full qnd insightful

Expansive and detailed review of Humbolt, his life and inspirational influence. A learned and useful vook as well as engaging and emotional at times.

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The most fascinating biography I've read so far!

I knew about Humboldt, the last "universal genius" since my childhood in Germany and always wanted to know more about him. That is now done and much more than that.

Andrea Wulf doesn't limit himself to a very intelligent and insightful narrative of Humboldt's life and work, but goes way beyond: he shines a bright light on people that have been influenced by the master, one, two and even three generations further along.

Brilliant!

I'm a tad less enthusiastic about David Drummond's performance. I don't care much for his voice (but that's no fault of his, just my taste) and got quite irritated by some words he mispronounces. Hi-mal-ea instead of Himalaya being just one recurring example.

All in all, a book I'll be listening to again in a year or two, a rare phenomenon for me.

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7 people found this helpful

A man of his time

This is a long book with a slightly annoying accent till you get used to it. However the story needs to be told. Humbolt was an amazing observer of nature who first identified erosion by tree felling and agriculture and influenced the likes of Darwin and President Franklyn and set out our thinking of plant habitats today. He deserves more recognition that he currently holds in the UK and USA.

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a magnificent biography

Alexander von Humbolt was a colourful character who is today underappreciated. His life and work was inspirational and his polymath approach to science and nature was influential. This is a stor6 brilliantly told by a studious author. Highly recommend

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Explorers mind will love this book

Andrea Wulf brings great historical research to the present/reader in the most interesting way. Like traveling back in time and feeling totally in the present at the same time. Makes me want to read Humboldt too.

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