Summary: After Charles Darwin's voyage around the world, he formulated his theory of the evolution of species. At this time the concept of evolution greatly contradicted biblical chronology of the universe and humans. This is a story about how Darwin's relationship with Emma evolved over time and how they came to get married while Darwin hid his personal beliefs, and how they eventually come to a compromise.
Citation: Heiligman, D. (2009). Charles and Emma: The Darwins' leap of faith. New York: Henry Holt and Co.
Impression: Darwin's journey to find peace and happiness with his wife, Emma, is a great lesson for all of us to learn from. This book teaches readers about how they can overcome and live with one another despite different beliefs, ideologies, and opinion. It gives great insight into another side of Darwin's personal life as well as show how difficult but rewarding relationships can be in our lives.
Review:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews)
This rich, insightful portrait of Charles and Emma Darwin's marriage explores a dimension of the naturalist's life that has heretofore been largely ignored. Emma was devoutly religious whileCharles's agnosticism increased as he delved deeper into his studies of natural history, but they did not let this difference come between them. While unable to agree with Charles's theory that essentially eliminated God from the process of creation, Emma remained open-minded and supportive, even reading drafts of The Origin of Species and suggesting improvements. Using excerpts from correspondence, diaries and journals, Heiligman portrays a relationship grounded in mutual respect. The narrative conveys a vivid sense of what life was like in Victorian England, particularly the high infant mortality rate that marred the Darwins' happiness and the challenges Charles faced in deciding to publish his controversial theory. While this book does not serve as an introduction to Darwin's life and ideas, readers wanting to know more will discover two brilliant thinkers whose marital dialectic will provide rich fodder for discussions of science and faith.
This rich, insightful portrait of Charles and Emma Darwin's marriage explores a dimension of the naturalist's life that has heretofore been largely ignored. Emma was devoutly religious whileCharles's agnosticism increased as he delved deeper into his studies of natural history, but they did not let this difference come between them. While unable to agree with Charles's theory that essentially eliminated God from the process of creation, Emma remained open-minded and supportive, even reading drafts of The Origin of Species and suggesting improvements. Using excerpts from correspondence, diaries and journals, Heiligman portrays a relationship grounded in mutual respect. The narrative conveys a vivid sense of what life was like in Victorian England, particularly the high infant mortality rate that marred the Darwins' happiness and the challenges Charles faced in deciding to publish his controversial theory. While this book does not serve as an introduction to Darwin's life and ideas, readers wanting to know more will discover two brilliant thinkers whose marital dialectic will provide rich fodder for discussions of science and faith.
(2008, December 15). [Review of the book Charles and Emma: The Darwins' leap of faith by D. Heiligman]. Kirkus Reviews, 76(24).
LeeAnne Kendall (Library Media Connection)
This well-written, readable book explores the life of the controversial scientist and the effect his marriage to his cousin Emma Wedgewood had on his life and work. The author used letters, diaries, and notebooks written by the couple as well as documents and memoirs of their relatives and friends to masterfully weave together the development of a major scientific theory with a story of true love. We are also given vivid insight into what life was like in Victorian England where illness and death were a fact of everyday life. Three of their 10 children died before the age of 10. Black and white photographs and a family tree enhance the text. This work is a thought-provoking account of history, science, religion, and romance which will be enjoyed not only by students but by readers of many ages.
This well-written, readable book explores the life of the controversial scientist and the effect his marriage to his cousin Emma Wedgewood had on his life and work. The author used letters, diaries, and notebooks written by the couple as well as documents and memoirs of their relatives and friends to masterfully weave together the development of a major scientific theory with a story of true love. We are also given vivid insight into what life was like in Victorian England where illness and death were a fact of everyday life. Three of their 10 children died before the age of 10. Black and white photographs and a family tree enhance the text. This work is a thought-provoking account of history, science, religion, and romance which will be enjoyed not only by students but by readers of many ages.
Kendall, L. (2009, August). [Review of the book Charles and Emma: The Darwins' leap of faith by D. Heiligman]. Library Media Connection. Retrieved from http://www.librarymediaconnection.com/
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