Just how far did Charles Darwin's luck - both good and bad - affect his life and scientific discoveries? This book investigates a school of thought that although Darwin came to the right conclusions, he did not actually follow the right path in getting there.
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.
"The book has a quite wonderful cover and numerous illustrations -- many of them photographs taken by the geographer author." - Church Times. 15 May 2009.
