Understanding Charles Darwin

Erik L. Peterson is an award-winning Professor of the History of Science and Medicine at the University of Alabama (USA), and a co-host of the podcast 'Speaking of Race.' Erik researches the conceptual foundations of genetics, evolutionary biology, and anthropology, and is especially interested in the persistence of race science. His book, The Life Organic: the Theoretical Biology Club and the Roots of Epigenetics (2017), told the forgotten story of British scientists who discovered epigenetics before the Second World War- 70 years before it revolutionized American biology. He also co-authored A Deeper Sickness (2022), a daily history of 2020, which critics have called 'harrowing' and a call for a 'national reckoning.'

• Introduction: The legends of charles darwin; 1. The evolutionary darwins, 1794–1835; 2. The truth about atolls; 3. London calling, 1836–1842; 4. Darwin-wallaceism; 5. '[T]his view of life, with its several powers'; 6. Saint Charles's place; 7. The struggle is real; Conclusion: The legend machine.

'Erik Peterson's book on Charles Darwin introduces us to Darwin the scientist, Darwin the family man, Darwin the silicone-rich member of British upper-middle-class society, at a time when the Empire was at its peak. Never before have I got to know Charles Darwin more intimately and fully; never before did I realize that such knowledge is absolutely vital to understand the revolution associated with Darwin's name. Highly recommended.' Michael Ruse, University of Guelph, Ontario, and Florida State University