Im 18. Jahrhundert verfolgten Carl von Linné und Georges-Louis de Buffon unabhängig das Ziel, alles Leben auf der Erde zu klassifizieren. Während Linné Ordnung suchte, sah Buffon das Leben als dynamisch an. Beide scheiterten an der Artenvielfalt, veränderten jedoch unser wissenschaftliches Verständnis der Natur nachhaltig. Jason Roberts erzählt diese faszinierende Geschichte.
Jason Roberts Book order (chronological)
This author explores the boundaries of human experience, crafting narratives that challenge our perceptions of the world and ourselves. His work is marked by a profound interest in how individuals find meaning and connection within the often unpredictable and uncharted terrains of life. Through a keen observational style and literary craftsmanship, he draws readers into journeys that are as much outward as they are inward, revealing universal themes of resilience, discovery, and the fluid nature of reality. His writing offers a unique perspective on what it truly means to see and comprehend the world around us.
PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • An extraordinary account of scientific rivalry and obsession in the quest to survey life on Earth. This engaging and thought-provoking narrative focuses on the theatrical politics and troubling science that shape our understanding of life. WINNER OF THE PEN/E.O. WILSON LITERARY SCIENCE WRITING AWARD • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR. In the eighteenth century, two contemporaries—Carl Linnaeus, a pious Swedish doctor, and Georges-Louis de Buffon, an aristocratic French polymath—dedicated their lives to identifying all life on Earth. Linnaeus believed in tidy, static categories, while Buffon saw life as a dynamic swirl of complexities. Both men underestimated the vastness of biodiversity, yet their contrasting views on nature and humanity emerged through their efforts. Linnaeus introduced concepts like mammal and Homo sapiens but denied species change and promoted racist pseudoscience. In contrast, Buffon laid the groundwork for evolution and genetics, warned of climate change, and opposed prejudice. Their conflicting worldviews continued to influence biology long after their deaths, as successors vied for dominance in the field. Jason Roberts weaves a sweeping narrative exploring the intertwined lives and legacies of Linnaeus and Buffon, as well as the groundbreaking adventures of their followers, tracing a journey of insight and discovery that spans three centuries.
The Politics of Ballot Design
- 166 pages
- 6 hours of reading
Engstrom and Roberts show how politicians use ballot design to influence voting and elections. This book is of interest to the broad community of scholars who study elections and to general readers interested in how democratic elections work in the United States.
A Sense of the World
- 416 pages
- 15 hours of reading
When Lieutenant James Holman sailed to Russia in 1822, intent on crossing Siberia on his way to circumnavigate the globe, the authorities of the Tsar arrested him on suspicion of espionage. Their scepticism was understandable: James Holman was blind. This book is a blend of travel, biography and history.
Lonely Planet Language Survival Kit: South-East Asia Phrasebook
- 380 pages
- 14 hours of reading
Essential words and phrases in Burmese, Khmer, Lao, Malay & Indonesian, Pilipino, Thai and Vietnamese.