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The Autobiography of Charles Darwin
- Narrated by: Greg Wagland
- Length: 2 hrs and 29 mins
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Publisher's Summary
This work, unsurprisingly, offers invaluable insights into the life and times of Charles Darwin, his personality and the formative influences that made him what he was, for here we have his own words and ‘voice’ at the close of a prodigiously productive career. He tells of his childhood, his student days at Edinburgh and Cambridge, his love of beetles, shooting and geology and of his grandfather, Josiah Wedgwood. He talks at some length about his meetings with the great scientific men of the age, his attitudes to his critics, to religion and of his theories of evolution. He also discusses his scientific methods and the background to the publication of many of his works including ‘The Origin of Species’ and ‘The Descent of Man’, and how he came to join ‘The Beagle’ as naturalist. This is an indispensable work for any student of Darwin, of evolution and conceivably, creationism. It is undoubtedly the autobiography of a great man.Greg Wagland reads The Autobiography of Charles Darwin for Magpie Audio. Note: This is the version authorized and edited by his son, Francis. Francis Darwin and Charles’ wife Emma censored and excised some passages, in part to limit references made to his home life.
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What listeners say about The Autobiography of Charles Darwin
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Performance
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- Terry Yancey
- 05-23-17
Darwin about himself
Much maligned by religious people, Mr. Darwin deserves the courtesy of awareness. Agreeing or disagreeing with his theories seems shallow if one doesn't know something of the man himself.
The biggest drawback for listening to this book came from the way the reader dealt with the parenthetical insertions from F. D. Nevertheless, the insertions often provide interesting back fill.
Though a proponent of Intelligent Design, I appreciate this glimpse into the humanity and diligence of Mr. Darwin's life and work. TLY
1 person found this helpful
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- Chris Grooms
- 10-01-12
Excellent and important for understanding the man.
What made the experience of listening to The Autobiography of Charles Darwin the most enjoyable?
The up beat tone to the author's writing style was the best.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Darwin himself
Have you listened to any of Greg Wagland’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
no
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
good positive reactions
Any additional comments?
c
1 person found this helpful
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- Budd T.
- 09-29-12
Fantastic Book
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Highly recommended, easy read/enjoyable to listen to, gives an outstanding first hand account of Darwin's life.
1 person found this helpful
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- Kamran Bigdely
- 09-01-21
helps understanding Darwin's personality.
I wish his son did nor removed the family-related parts from the book. although the book did not have a coherent story but it was an interesting read.
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- Peter
- 08-10-22
Fascinating to hear Darwin's own account
Perfectly narrated account of how Darwin became one of the Great men of history. Excellent...
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- Carla Ribeiro Oleiro
- 04-18-19
Interesting
Interesting to know how Darwin thought during his days and that his children accomplished to publish his memoirs. It's not a book well written but have some curious cases.
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- Anonymous User
- 08-16-20
Excellent
I thoroughly enjoyed this reading of Charles Darwin's autobiography. The only flaw was in the handling of notes through the book, though fortunately they do not appear too often.
1 person found this helpful
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- Narrated by: Corrie James
- Length: 16 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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Charlotte Brontë's life contained all the drama and tragedy of the great Gothic novels it inspired. Like Jane Eyre, she was raised motherless on remote Yorkshire moors and sent away to a brutally strict boarding school at a young age. Charlotte grew up and watched helplessly as, one by one, her five beloved siblings sickened and died; by the end of her short life, she was the only child of the Brontë clan remaining.
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Clear-Eyed Bio of Literature's Most Elusive Figure
- By wally on 09-02-16
By: Claire Harman
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The Club
- Johnson, Boswell, and the Friends Who Shaped an Age
- By: Leo Damrosch
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 15 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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In 1763, the painter Joshua Reynolds proposed to his friend Samuel Johnson that they invite a few friends to join them every Friday at the Turk's Head Tavern in London to dine, drink, and talk until midnight. Eventually, the group came to include among its members Edmund Burke, Adam Smith, Edward Gibbon, and James Boswell. It was known simply as "the Club". In this captivating audiobook, Leo Damrosch brings alive a brilliant, competitive, and eccentric cast of characters.
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Wonderful survey
- By Tad Davis on 05-10-19
By: Leo Damrosch
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The Prince and the Pauper
- By: Mark Twain
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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They look alike, but they live in very different worlds. Tom Canty, impoverished and abused by his father, is fascinated with royalty. Edward Tudor, heir to the throne of England, is kind and generous but wants to run free and play in the river - just once. How insubstantial their differences truly are becomes clear when a chance encounter leads to an exchange of clothing - and roles. The pauper finds himself caught up in the pomp and folly of the royal court, and the prince wanders horror-stricken through the lower strata of English society.
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Wonderful author, terrific narrator, splendid book
- By Rahni on 10-01-17
By: Mark Twain
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The Way of All Flesh
- By: Samuel Butler
- Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
- Length: 15 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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This brilliant satirical novel, tracing the life and loves of Ernest Pontifex, has continued in popularity since its original publication in 1903. Every generation finds in The Way of All Flesh a reaffirmation of youth's rightful struggle against the tyranny of harsh parents and its admirable will for freedom of personal expression.
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classic satire- would make Jon Stewart laugh
- By Connie on 06-04-08
By: Samuel Butler
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The Confessions
- By: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
- Length: 30 hrs
- Unabridged
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Dr. Johnson may have been correct in saying that “Rousseau was a very bad man,” but none can argue that his ideas are among the most influential in all of world history. It was Rousseau, the father of the romantic movement, who was responsible for introducing at least two modern day thoughts that pervade academia. The Confessions is Rousseau’s landmark autobiography. Both brilliant and flawed, it is nonetheless beautifully written and remains one of the most moving human documents in all of literature.
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Extraordinary in its ordinariness...
- By Varni-Maree on 08-28-12
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The Consolations of Philosophy
- By: Alain de Botton
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Alain de Botton has performed a stunning feat: He has transformed arcane philosophy into something accessible and entertaining, useful and kind. Drawing on the work of six of the world's most brilliant thinkers, de Botton has arranged a panoply of wisdom to guide us through our most common problems.
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Cheering, empathic, helpful
- By Austin on 11-11-09
By: Alain de Botton
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How to Live on 24 Hours a Day
- By: Arnold Bennett
- Narrated by: Eric Brooks
- Length: 1 hr and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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This classic personal time-management book, originally published in 1908, has inspired generations of men and women to live deliberate lives. Not just another collection of timesaving tips, this book is more of a challenge to leave behind mundane everyday concerns, focus on pursuing one's true desires, and live the fullest possible life. Reflection, concentration, and study techniques make it easier to accomplish more truly rewarding undertakings than anyone ever dreamed possible.
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Well written, well read.
- By Lauren on 02-21-12
By: Arnold Bennett
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Emerson
- The Mind on Fire
- By: Robert D. Richardson
- Narrated by: Michael McConnohie
- Length: 26 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of the most important figures in the history of American thought, religion, and literature. The vitality of his writings and the unsettling power of his example continue to influence us more than a hundred years after his death. Now Robert D. Richardson Jr. brings to life an Emerson very different from the old stereotype of the passionless Sage of Concord.
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Finally!
- By Douglas on 08-15-14