© Columbia University Press
The Heretic in Darwin’s Court: The Life of Alfred Russel Wallace
Paper, 648 pages, 19 illus
ISBN: 978-0-231-13011-0
$36.00
/ £25.00
June, 2004
Cloth, 648 pages, 19 illus
ISBN: 978-0-231-13010-3
$85.00
/ £58.50
"Slotten does a very good job of contextualizing this critical moment in the history of biology within the life and times of Wallace. . . . Slotten's enjoyable exposition provides insight into the scientific process and the role of class structure in Victorian England." — Publishers Weekly
"Slotten's text recounts [Wallace's] life in great detail, giving as much emphasis to his early life and later years as to his time as a collector and naturalist. If a library can support only one book, Slotten's provides the richness of the complete life." — Library Journal
"Slotten's new life study illuminates an unpredictable genius who cut a wide swath in Victorian culture. . . . But Slotten surpasses earlier biographers in detailing the complex personal relationship between the two biologists." — Booklist, starred review
"Slotten's meticulously researched biography explores Wallace's scientifically 'heretical' interests in a bunch of late Victorian 'isms,' that range from socialism to spiritualism and extraterrestrial life." — Douglas Palmer, New Scientist
"...quite accessible to general audiences..." — Michele Fabricant, Science Books & Films
"That sympathy, Slotten's predilection for quirky detials, and his talent for imaginative investigation often make Wallace and his world spring to life." — Menno Schilthuizen, Natural History
"This is a good, old-fashioned, beautifully written biography, devoid of pretension and with both a wonderful eye for detail and an impressive command of history and fact." — Oren Solomon Harman, American Scientist
"fine picks for modern college-level collections." — Bookwatch
"Slotten's book is the most detailed study of its kind published to date and provides a vivid account of Wallace's rich 90-year life." — George Beccaloni, Nature
"This biography revives the remarkable work of this world explorer and naturalist." — Stanford
"Slotten's book is a pleasure to read and provides a well-researched and detailed account...It is highly recommended reading." — D. Futuyma, Evolution
"A highly readable and entertaining account of the life, travels, and thought of one of the nineteenth century's most eccentric and insightful scientists." — Northeastern Naturalist
"Excellent job of profiling the man's life. " — Charles H. Smith, European Molecular Biology and Organization
"Well-crafted biography...highly recommended." — Choice
"Six full biographies of Wallace have been published since 2000...and this latest is the most complete." — Charles H. Smith, Journal of the History of Biology
"The 20 chapters in Slotten's book brilliantly explore the different facets of Wallace." — Allen Keast, Quarterly Review of Biology
"Keen eye and easy style" — David A. Feller, Bulletin of the Pacific Circle
"Slotten's biography... offers a balanced and thorough account of Wallace's long and varied career." — Jane R. Camerini, Reports of the National Center for Science Education