Natural History Biography Eternal Quest Adams 1969 Darwin Audubon Huxley VG

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Natural History Biography Eternal Quest Adams 1969 Darwin Audubon Huxley VG. Charles Darwin & Alfred Wallace: The champions of evolution. Eternal Quest is a sweeping narrative that traces the dramatic history of natural science. Alexander Adams moves beyond dry dates and facts to explore the personalities, the conflicts, and the brilliant insights that changed how we view the world. History of Science Discovery • Evolution • Nature Eternal Quest The Story of the Great Naturalists By Alexander B. Adams Publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons Year 1969 Format Hardcover w/ DJ Condition Very Good (VG) Seller's Condition Note: Very Good (VG) This vintage 1969 hardcover is in Very Good condition. The dust jacket shows some shelf wear, particularly along the edges and corners (please see photos). The binding is tight and secure. The pages are clean, crisp, and free of writing or highlighting. A well-preserved copy for the science history enthusiast. Will be shipped carefully and quickly. Man's Search for His Place in Nature Eternal Quest is a sweeping narrative that traces the dramatic history of natural science. Alexander Adams moves beyond dry dates and facts to explore the personalities, the conflicts, and the brilliant insights that changed how we view the world. From the early classifications of Linnaeus to the revolutionary theories of Darwin and Mendel, the book chronicles the "brave new world" of modern science. It captures the excitement of discovery—the diggers in the desert finding fossils, the observers in the monastery garden, and the voyagers on the high seas. About the Author: A Voice for Nature Alexander B. Adams (1917–1984) wasn't just an armchair historian; he was a dedicated conservationist. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Governors for The Nature Conservancy and was a key figure in the American environmental movement of the 1960s. His deep understanding of the natural world brings a unique authority to this book—he writes about these great naturalists not just as scientists, but as fellow lovers of the earth. This book is perfect for readers interested in the intellectual lineage of biology, geology, and paleontology, written in a style that emphasizes the human struggle for knowledge against superstition and dogma. Key Figures Profiled Carl Linnaeus: The man who named the world. Georges Cuvier: The father of paleontology. Alexander Wilson & John James Audubon: The pioneers of American ornithology. Charles Lyell: The geologist who read the earth's story. Charles Darwin & Alfred Wallace: The champions of evolution. Gregor Mendel: The quiet monk who discovered genetics. Natural History • Biography • Vintage Science Professional Packaging • Fast Shipping • Trusted Seller JT ENTERPORTALS © 2026 Eternal Quest: The Story of the Great Naturalists (1969) A Journey Through the History of Natural Science Item Description For your consideration is a vintage copy of Eternal Quest: The Story of the Great Naturalists, published in 1969. This is not just a book; it's a historical journey into the minds of the titans who shaped our understanding of the natural world. The book masterfully weaves together the biographies of key scientists with the groundbreaking ideas they introduced, from the orderly systems of Linnaeus to the revolutionary theory of evolution by Darwin and Wallace. It's an essential read for anyone passionate about biology, the history of science, or the spirit of discovery. (See Photos) The edges of the dust jacket and pages have some minor wear. There is a stain/discoloration to the dust jacket on the back cover. The binding is tight. The pages are crisp. No writing or highlighting. Will be shipped carefully and quickly the same or next business day. A Deeper Look Inside: Chapters & Key Figures Discover the pioneers you'll meet within these pages: 3. Order Replaces Chaos: Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) Often called the "Father of Modern Taxonomy," Linnaeus formalized the system of binomial nomenclature (e.g., *Homo sapiens*), giving a two-part Latin name to every species. His work brought a revolutionary sense of order to the chaotic diversity of life. 4. A Broader View: Georges Louis Buffon (1707-1788) A French naturalist and director of the Jardin du Roi, Buffon was one of the first to propose that species could change or "degenerate" over time. His monumental 36-volume work, Histoire Naturelle, challenged the idea of a static creation and influenced later evolutionary thinkers. 5. A Glimpse of a Truth: Jean Lamarck (1744-1829) Lamarck proposed one of the first coherent theories of evolution, famously suggesting the "inheritance of acquired characteristics." While his mechanism was later disproven, his pioneering idea that life forms are not fixed was a crucial step toward modern evolutionary biology. 6. Reconstructing the Past: Georges Cuvier (1769-1832) A giant in the fields of paleontology and comparative anatomy, Cuvier established extinction as a fact. Through his study of fossils, he showed that the Earth was once populated by species that no longer exist, proposing a theory of "catastrophism" to explain these changes. 7. The Collectors: Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) & John James Audubon (1785-1851) These two names are synonymous with American ornithology. Wilson, the "Father of American Ornithology," and Audubon, the famed artist of The Birds of America, meticulously documented and illustrated the avian life of the New World, capturing the public's imagination and creating an invaluable scientific record. 8. A Noble Privilege: Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) A true polymath and adventurous explorer, Humboldt was a foundational figure in biogeography. He was the first to describe climate and its relationship to geography, vegetation, and animal life. His holistic view of nature as an interconnected web inspired Darwin and countless other scientists. 9. Reading the Earth's Story: Charles Lyell (1797-1875) Lyell's book, Principles of Geology, was a game-changer. He championed the theory of "uniformitarianism"—the idea that the same slow, gradual geological processes we see today have been shaping the Earth for immense periods. This concept of "deep time" provided the necessary canvas for Darwin's theory of evolution. 10. The Teacher from Switzerland: Louis Agassiz (1807-1873) A brilliant Swiss-American biologist and geologist, Agassiz is renowned for his work on fossil fishes and, most importantly, for proposing the concept of a past "Ice Age" that sculpted much of the northern hemisphere. Though a staunch opponent of Darwin, his contributions to geology and zoology were immense. 11-13. The Great & Coincidental Discovery: Charles Darwin (1809-1882) & Alfred Wallace (1823-1913) These chapters chronicle the parallel journeys of two of history's most important scientists. Darwin, through his voyage on the HMS Beagle, and Wallace, through his explorations in the Amazon and Malay Archipelago, independently conceived of the theory of evolution by natural selection. This section also includes Thomas Huxley, known as "Darwin's Bulldog" for his fierce defense of the theory. 14. Science in a Monastery: Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) Working in obscurity, this Augustinian friar conducted careful experiments with pea plants, uncovering the fundamental laws of heredity. His work, which laid the foundation for modern genetics, was tragically overlooked until decades after his death, providing the missing piece to Darwin's evolutionary puzzle. Complete Table of Contents About this Book 1. In the Beginning 2. Some Inquiring Men 3. Order Replaces Chaos (Carl Linnaeus) 4. A Broader View (Georges Louis Buffon) 5. A Glimpse of a Truth (Jean Lamarck) 6. Reconstructing the Past (Georges Cuvier) 7. The Collectors (Wilson & Audubon) 8. A Noble Privilege (Alexander von Humboldt) 9. Reading the Earth's Story (Charles Lyell) 10. The Teacher from Switzerland (Louis Agassiz) 11. The Great Discovery (Charles Darwin) 12. A Coincidental Discovery (Alfred Wallace) 13. Champions of the Cause (Darwin, Wallace, Huxley) 14. Science in a Monastery (Gregor Mendel) 15. Today and Tomorrow Plus: Acknowledgments, Notes, Bibliography, Index, and Appendices on Biographical Sketches, Classification, a Geologic Table, and Mendel's Discoveries. Thank you for viewing my listing! Please don't hesitate to ask any questions. >>Powered by WonderLister App