reviews
Feb 17, 2010
Oldesq
rated it: 
Randal Keynes is a descendant of Darwin and obviously proud of his great-great-grandfather but that emotion gets in the way of the tale. Reading this book is like looking through a construction site fence where the reader gets glimpses of parts without a unified whole. Keynes cannot decide if he is writing a well-researched biography, an apology, or a set piece of the Victorian Age. Adding to the problem is his constant return to the "hook" for the book- that being the death of Darw
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Jan 06, 2010
Mary
rated it: 
This account of Charles Darwin's work and family life was written by his great grandson. It is an interesting look at how Darwin came to develop the theory of evolution. I especially was interested in how his conclusion that humans evolved out of natural processes from lower animals--and how that affected his notion of God.
The book also tells a great deal about family life in the 1800's. Darwin married his first cousin and they had 10 children. Two died as infants. They were r More...
The book also tells a great deal about family life in the 1800's. Darwin married his first cousin and they had 10 children. Two died as infants. They were r More...
Feb 24, 2010
Ferox
rated it: 
Not how to say this without sounding a bit mean, but... Annie Darwin wasn't really that interesting, just an ordinary child who died young. Using her life as a springboard for exploring the life of her famous father is one thing; describing her own childhood in great detail seems slightly pointless. No detail is too small for Randal Keynes - but is there any need to list, for instance, the words of nursery rhymes this very average child might have sung? And can Keynes justify his assertion that
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Mar 18, 2010
Roberto
rated it:
Enjoying it when it stays on topic (that is the topic that intrigues me) regarding Darwin's conflict with his religion and relationship with his daughter. But having to skim a lot of pages that deal with day to day life of independently wealthy people at the end of the 1800s. It's all well-written and these pages could be of interest to others, it's just distracting to me.
Aug 02, 2011
this is a beautiful, moving book if you'd like to learn more about charles darwin
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