"The Invention of Nature. Alexander von Humboldt's New World" (published in 26 countries)
New York Times Bestseller
Number 2 Spiegel Bestseller (Germany)
10 Best Books of 2015, New York Times
Winner of Royal Society Science Book Prize 2016
Winner of Costa Biography Award 2015
Winner of Acqui Storia Award 2017 (Italy)
Winner of the Inaugural James Wright Award for Nature Writing (Kenyon Review & Nature Conservancy) 2016
Winner of LA Times Book Prize 2016 (Science & Technology)
Cundill Prize in Historical Literature Recognition of Excellence Award 2016
Winner of Bayerischer Buchpreis 2016 (Germany)
Finalist Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction & Nonfiction 2o16
Finalist Kirkus Prize 2015
Winner of Dingle Prize British Society for the History of Science 2017
Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award (SONWA) - Notable Books
Shortlisted ‘Books Are My Bags Readers Award’ shortlist (The Booksellers Association)
Shortlist IBW Book Award (Adult Category)
The QI Book of the Year Award 2016
Winner Sarah Chapman Francis Medal for outstanding literary achievement 2017, Garden Club of Americ
Ness Award 2016, Royal Geographical Society
Shortlisted for the 2017 Smart Book Awards (Jagiellonian University & Euclid Foundation), Poland
Winner China Nature Book Award 2018, China
Winner Le Priz du doyen Jean de Feytaud 2018, Académie nationale des sciences, belles-lettres et arts de Bordeaux, France
Winner Lichtenberg-Medal, Academy of Sciences Göttingen 2019
Literary Hub: 20 Best Works of Nonfiction of the Decade
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"The Invention of Nature" reveals the extraordinary life of the visionary German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) and how he created the way we understand nature today. Though almost forgotten today, his name lingers everywhere from the Humboldt Current to the Humboldt penguin. Humboldt was an intrepid explorer and the most famous scientist of his age. His restless life was packed with adventure and discovery, whether climbing the highest volcanoes in the world, paddling down the Orinoco or racing through anthrax–infested Siberia. Perceiving nature as an interconnected global force, Humboldt discovered similarities between climate zones across the world and predicted human-induced climate change. He turned scientific observation into poetic narrative, and his writings inspired naturalists and poets such as Darwin, Wordsworth and Goethe but also politicians such as Jefferson. Wulf also argues that it was Humboldt’s influence that led John Muir to his ideas of preservation and that shaped Thoreau’s ‘Walden’. Wulf traces Humboldt’s influences through the great minds he inspired in revolution, evolution, ecology, conservation, art and literature. In The Invention of Nature Wulf brings this lost hero to science and the forgotten father of environmentalism back to life.
Humboldt was, after all, as one contemporary said, ‘the greatest man since the Deluge’.
Best Books of 2015/2016
“Wulf does much to revive our appreciation of this ecological visionary through her lively, impressively researched account of his travels and exploits, reminding us of the lasting influence of his primary insight: that the Earth is a single, interconnected organism, one that can be catastrophically damaged by our own destructive actions.” – New York Times Sunday Book Review, 10 Best Books of 2015
“Part biography, part vicarious travelogue, part history-of-ideas … lyrically and compellingly”– The Atlantic
“This is an absolutely stupendous biography.” – A.N. Wilson, Evening Standard
“Like Humboldt himself, The Invention of Nature, is scholarly but extremely good fun” - The Times
"Evocative descriptions of his expeditions … delightful stories … Wulf’s stories of wilderness adventure and academic exchange flow easily, and her affection for von Humboldt is contagious." —Publishers Weekly
“Read Andrea Wulf’s gripping biography and you will be wowed by him too. If Humboldt doesn’t win prizes I’ll eat my party hat.” – New Scientist
“Superb biography … His extensive travels mean his biography is also an adventure story, and Wulf combines scrapes and the science to great effect.” – Independent
‘The most complete portrait of one of the world’s most complete naturalists” – Mark Cocker, The Spectator
"A riveting read in its entirety, bringing back to life the remarkable man who gave shape to life as we know it” - Brain Pickings
Best Science Books of 2015 - The Telegraph
Best Biographies of 2015 - The Economist
Best Books of 2015 – Non Fiction - Kirkus
Best Biographies of 2015 - Daily Beast
What Books Should You Buy As Gifts? - Washington Post
Best Books of the Year - The Australian
“Engaging and accomplished biography makes us see Humboldt as one of the great scientist–adventurers” - Sunday Times
“The accomplished historian delivers an inspired biography of the German polymath, explorer, prescient proto-environmentalist and discoverer of climate zones” – Nature
“If you read only one book this year, this is that one book” – Forbes
"It remains my book of the year in practically every nonfiction category – science, nature, biography, history", Bill Bryson, Guardian
Advance quotes and reviews:
“No other book shapes our current view of the scientist as Andrea Wulf’s Invention of Nature” – Die ZEIT
“In an energetic, original and masterly book, Andrea Wulf not only shows the greatness of the man, but the enduring power of his ideas … Wulf writes about complicated topics with lucidity and vitality. The Invention of Nature is a book of ideas, which repays careful reading … a most inspiring book’ – The Times
“Astonishing new book … sumptuous, finely written … Andrea Wulf's book is a paragon of research, thoughtfulness, considerable humor and fine writing. Her accomplishment in explaining this remarkable man to us is to be congratulated.” – Huffington Post
“Riveting biography of a brilliant but forgotten pioneer of natural science ... enthusiastic and gripping" – The Guardian
‘The Invention of Nature brings Humboldt vividly back to life … This marvellous book restores Humboldt to the pantheon of great thinkers who changed our understanding of the world.’ - The Sydney Morning Herald
“Unusually colourful and engaging account” – Sunday Telegraph
“Exhilarating reading … Andrea Wulf’s enjoyable new book tackles Alexander von Humboldt. …The Invention of Nature – a superior celebration of an adorable figure.” – Simon Winder, The Guardian
‘Wulf’s biography is a magnificent work of resurrection, beautifully researched, elegantly written, a thrilling intellectual odyssey’ – Sunday Times
“In a superb biography, Andrea Wulf makes an inspired case for Alexander von Humboldt to be considered the greatest scientist of the 19th century." - Economist"
'Masterly biography', Must Read, Daily Mail
“A pleasure to read … excellent … Buckle up and prepare yourself for Andrea Wulf's hugely enjoyable voyage of discovery … rip-roaring yarn … vivid prose … fine book.” The Ecologist
“A fulsome tour of Humboldt and those he influenced … I have much enjoyed my eco-tour through the plant world in her company … Wulf does fine justice to his astonishing energy and wonderfully restless mind” – Robin Lane–Fox, Financial Times
“On one level, her book is a rollicking adventure story … Yet it is also a fascinating history of ideas … Wulf’s marvellous book.” – Sarah Darwin, Financial Times
“Luminously written biography … On the evidence of this wonderful book, however, [Humboldt] should be hastily added to every school syllabus in the land” – The Scotsman
“The real achievement of this wonderful biography is that it is as much a rattling good read as it is an explicit attempt to revive Humboldt’s reputation" – Mark Cocker, New Statesman
'Magnificent biography' - BBC Earth
“Andrea Wulf has brilliantly resurrected the gifted naturalist and geographer who was once (bar Napoleon) the most famous man in Europe…This magnificent biography has it all … this is an exceptional biography of an extraordinary man. Wulf deserves our congratulations” – Spectator
“A riveting new biography … a masterly and wholly absorbing piece of biography … in this richly documented, brilliantly contextualized and thoroughly engrossing account of his fascinating life, Andrea Wulf has resurrected him triumphantly” – Resurgence & Ecologist
‘With a rare ability to distill complicated ideas into graceful, pithy prose and a knack for timing: the genesis of our view of the planet has never been so relevant” – Christian Science Monitor
"Fine new biography ... her account is full of vivid renditions of his feats" - London Review of Books.
“Andrea Wulf has written a masterly biography of Humboldt that is likely to become definite, if not final … a thoughtful and well–rounded portrait …a long overdue biography” – Archives of Natural History
‘Compelling account … this passionate, intelligent, and enjoyable book makes a compelling case for the enduring importance of Humboldt’s ideas’ – EarthLines
“Excellent biography … Reading The Invention of Nature left me with a sense of satisfaction. It’s not often that a book introduces you to a fascinating character so little understood, yet so influential in creating today’s view of the world” – The Pharos
‘Fascinating book’ – South China Morning Post
‘The Invention of Nature is everything a biography should be: grounded in scholarship, elegantly composed, telling a life’s story in the context of the subject’s era and through his accomplishments… [it] is one of 2015’s finest books on science’ – Shepherd Express (Milwaukee)
"Andrea Wulf’s The Invention of Nature is a dazzling account of Humboldt’s restless search for scientific, emotional and aesthetic satisfaction. Unapologetically in awe of her subject and intent on restoring Humboldt’s reputation, she brings his ideas to the foreground – their emergence, spread and evolution after his death." - Literary Review
“Thrilling new biography. … Wulf’s book is as much a history of those ideas as it is of the man. The man may be lost but his ideas have never been more alive … In our Anthropocene age Humboldt’s theories read like prophecy. More important, they offer wisdom about the way forward. It is impossible to read The Invention of Nature without contracting Humboldt fever. Wulf makes Humboldtians of us all. … At times The Invention of Nature reads like pulp explorer fiction … She has gone to near-Humboldtian lengths to research her book” – New York Review of Books
“Engrossing biography of Humboldt … Andrea Wulf magnificently recreates Humboldt’s dazzling, complex personality and the scope of his writing … Her book fulfills her aim to restore Humboldt to his place “in the pantheon of nature and science,” revealing his approach as a key source for our modern understanding of the natural world.” — Wall Street Journal
“Engaging account” – Times Literary Supplement
"Brilliant biography' - Express
“Stimulating biography … elegantly captures a cosmopolitan who straddled the Enlightenment and Romanticism” – Country Life
“Masterful … superb biography” – Public Books
“This ambitious book restores Humboldt to his rightful place in the pantheon of scientific history” – The Lady
"Magnificent biography ... Wulf does him full justice, bringing his extraordinary and colourful life to a new generation. Based on enormous research, it is the first real biography of this great figure in English ... I can't recommend it highly enough' - Morning Star
“Wonderful book … Andrea Wulf is your nonpareil guide” – Buffalo News
“Accomplished … Wulf’s writing is fluid, direct and perceptive” – Wichita Eagle
"Wulf, a historian with an invaluable environmental perspective, presents with zest and eloquence the full story of Humboldt’s adventurous life and extraordinary achievements ... Humboldt, Wulf convincingly argues in this enthralling, elucidating biography, was a genuine visionary, whose insights we need now more than ever." - Booklist
“Wulf … is as enthusiastic as her subject … vivid and exciting … Wulf’s pulsating account brings this dazzling figure back into a dazzling, much-deserved focus” – Boston Globe
'Wonderful book ... beautiful ... [Wulf] is your nonpareil guide' - NBC2 News
“This book sets out to restore Humboldt to his rightful place in the pantheon of natural scientists. In the process, Wulf does a great deal more. This meticulously researched work – part biography, part cabinet of curiosities – takes us on an exhilarating armchair voyage through some of the world’s least hospitable regions, from the steaming Amazon basin to the ice-fringed peaks of Kazakhstan.” – Mail on Sunday
“As Andrea Wulf remarks in her arresting The Invention of Nature … her book is readable, thoughtful and widely researched, and informed by German sources richer than the English canon. It is the first formal biography for many years and may go some way to returning this strange genius to the public” – New York Times Book Review
‘[The book] could not be better timed … She is at her best in her vivid and exciting chapters describing Humboldt’s epic travels … Wulf’s account brings this dazzling figure back into a much-deserved focus’ – The National
"The gist of my praise is simple. Wulf recognized not only a good story but also an important one. She has written a fascinating book about a fascinating man whose work influences our thinking even though his name is no longer widely remembered … Wulf’s book is about a long-dead great man but also about ourselves." — Dallas Morning News
"Gripping study …Wulf has delved deep into her hero’s life and travelled widely to feel nature as he felt it. No one who reads this brilliant book is likely to forget Humboldt.: — New Scientist
“Wulf’s often-vivid re-creation … a reminder of what a glorious writer Humboldt was … Among the many delights are the quotations taken directly from Humboldt’s letters … Wulf properly seeks to reclaim him as the progenitor of modern climate science, as the first to realize the interconnectedness of nature.” – The Weekly Standard
'Coruscating account' — Nature
"Exuberant, delightful new book" — Open Letters Monthly. An Arts and Literature Review
"Engrossing biography ... Wulf successfully combines a biography with an intoxicating history of his times" — starred review, Kirkus Reviews
“Andrea Wulf is a writer of rare sensibilities and passionate fascinations. I always trust her to take me on unforgettable journeys through amazing histories of botanical exploration and scientific unfolding. Her work is wonderful, her language sublime, her intelligence unflagging.” —Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of The Signature of All Things and Eat, Pray, Love
"This is a truly wonderful book. Andrea Wulf has told the tale with such brio, such understanding, such depth. The physical journeyings, all around South America when it was virtually terra incognita, are as exciting as the journeys of Humboldt’s mind into astronomy, literature, philosophy and every known branch of science. This is one of the most exciting intellectual biographies I have ever read, up there with Lewes’s Goethe and Ray Monk’s Wittgenstein. Hoorah, hoorah!! —AN Wilson, author of The Victorians and Victoria: A Life
"The Invention of Nature is a big, magnificent, adventurous book – so vividly written and daringly researched – a geographical pilgrimage and an intellectual epic! With brilliant, surprising, and thought-provoking connections to Simón Bolívar, Charles Darwin, William Herschel, Charles Lyell, Walt Whitman, Edgar Allen Poe, Henry David Thoreau, George Perkins Marsh… The book is a major achievement.” —Richard Holmes, author of The Age of Wonder and Coleridge
"Andrea Wulf’s marvellous book should go a long way towards putting this captivating eighteenth century German scientist, traveller and opinion-shaper back at the heart of the way we look at the world which Humboldt helped to interpret, and whose environmental problems he predicted. She has captured the excitement and intimacy of his experiences within the pages of this irresistible and consistently absorbing life of a man whose discoveries have shaped the way we see.” —Miranda Seymour, author of ‘Noble Endeavours: A History of England and Germany’
"Evocative descriptions of his expeditions … delightful stories … Wulf’s stories of wilderness adventure and academic exchange flow easily, and her affection for von Humboldt is contagious." —Publishers Weekly
"After reading her marvelous book it’s clear that we’d all benefit from a greater familiarity with his [Humboldt's] accomplishments as well as his way of perceiving the world. Ecological thinking—or the act of examining how parts interact as a whole—irks those of a reductionist bent, just as it smacks of antagonism to capital, however mild such antagonism may ultimately be. Wulf likely recognizes this, or maybe she simply has good timing. Either way, her more-than-complete account implies as much about our current moment as it reveals about Humboldt’s.” - Publishers Weekly
“This is a big book about a big subject, written with scholarship and enthusiasm … A book that may help restore his well- deserved reputation as the father of environmentalism … the phrase ‘lost hero of science’ in the subtitle of her book is no exaggeration” – Irish Examiner
‘Andrea Wulf’s biography of Alexander von Humboldt, The Invention of Nature, [is] full of revelations as well as gorgeous prose’, Michael Pollan, New York Times, July 2021
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