Scientist: E. O. Wilson: A Life in Nature by Richard RhodesMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Dec.29.2021 Edit: Sad to hear just a couple weeks after reading this biography that Edward O. Wilson passed away. He definitely had a well lived life, and changed our understanding on ants and more.
This is a good introduction to Edward O. Wilson’s work. Wilson was a highly productive, intelligent scientist whose initial focus was on the ant world. Later he expanded into other species, ecology and humans. When he wrote a textbook on sociobiology things got controversial. People started protesting him and his work, lecturing and attending conferences became difficult due to the protests and anger people directed at him.
The book covers some of his personal life, particularly growing up and a bit about his wife. Shortly after being engaged Wilson had an opportunity of exploration that he couldn’t pass up, so they parted and wrote each other letters, which many of the early chapters drew on.
There is too much in this man’s life to cover in detail at all phases, that would require a very long book, if not volumes. Wilson himself has written over 30 books, many bestsellers and several textbooks, and hundreds of scientific papers. This book feels like just the beginning of covering Wilson’s life. There is so much more to explore.
Thanks to DoubleDay Books and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
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