Radical by Nature - by James T Costa

About the Book

"Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) was perhaps the most famous naturalist in the world by the end of his life-- explorer extraordinaire, co-discoverer with Darwin of the principle of natural selection, collector of thousands of species new to science, and best-selling author. Wallace had fallen into obscurity in the 20th century, largely eclipsed by Darwin, but the 2013 centennial of his death led to renewed interest and Wallace is likely to garner attention again in 2023 with the bicentennial of his birth. Against this backdrop, James Costa is proposing a new biography of Wallace. The chapters are arranged chronologically, treating the arc of Wallace's life in a narrative that interweaves key events with the development of Wallace's thought. He devote extra space to the 8-year Malay Archipelago odyssey as the adventure that Wallace himself declared the "central and controlling incident" of his life and became foundational to modern evolution and biogeography. Costa of course discusses Wallace's famous corresondence with Darwin, and how Wallace graciously applauded Darwin's achievement, and became of his closest friends and defenders. In later years, Wallace became associated with "the spiritualist movement" and taking up a range of social causes including championing better working conditions, land preservation, reform in public education, and legal rights for women. Ultimately, Costa argues that the key to understanding Wallace is to realize that he was singularly open to novel, even radical, ideas in scientific and social realms"--

Book Synopsis

A major biography of the brilliant naturalist, traveler, humanitarian, and codiscoverer of natural selection

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) was perhaps the most famed naturalist of the Victorian age. His expeditions to remote Amazonia and southeast Asia were the stuff of legend. A collector of thousands of species new to science, he shared in the discovery of natural selection and founded the discipline of evolutionary biogeography.

Radical by Nature tells the story of Wallace's epic life and achievements, from his stellar rise from humble origins to his complicated friendship with Charles Darwin and other leading scientific lights of Britain to his devotion to social causes and movements that threatened to alienate him from scientific society.

James Costa draws on letters, notebooks, and journals to provide a multifaceted account of a revolutionary life in science as well as Wallace's family life. He shows how the self-taught Wallace doggedly pursued bold, even radical ideas that caused a seismic shift in the natural sciences, and how he also courted controversy with nonscientific pursuits such as spiritualism and socialism. Costa describes Wallace's courageous social advocacy of women's rights, labor reform, and other important issues. He also sheds light on Wallace's complex relationship with Darwin, describing how Wallace graciously applauded his friend and rival, becoming one of his most ardent defenders.

Weaving a revelatory narrative with the latest scholarship, Radical by Nature paints a mesmerizing portrait of a multifaceted thinker driven by a singular passion for science, a commitment to social justice, and a lifelong sense of wonder.

Review Quotes

"'Darwin' is a household name while 'Wallace' would be a blank to most people and relatively obscure to many historians and scientists. One of the main objectives of Radical by Nature is to redress this reputational asymmetry. Costa builds this case in lucid and abundant detail. . . . A laudable work."---Martin Fichman, Journal of the History of Biology

"

A fascinating multi-faceted portrait of Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913). . . .There is no doubt that Costa's fascinating book has succeeded in making Wallace more visible in this history. . .Costa's book, following
on other biographies, is definitely a brilliant and major addition to the various tributes paid to Wallace and his impressive contribution to the nineteenth century natural science.

"---Marion C. Thomas, Metascience

"[Radical by Nature] is well-documented using Wallace's own publications. . . . Costa's biography helps us to see that Wallace was not, in fact, a case of split personality: he was engaged in a lifelong effort to find a moral agenda underlying the activities of nature and the forces that drive human interactions."---Peter J. Bowler, Current Biology

"[An] impressive scholarly re-evaluation of Wallace. . . .It is also fun, with a pacy narrative and prose that shimmers with wit and personality."---Richard Bellon, British Journal for the History of Science

"Radical by Nature uncovers fresh details about a remarkable, idiosyncratic scientist and social activist, showing how humans' understanding of the world was fundamentally altered by his ideas."-- "Foreword Reviews (starred review)"

"Outstanding. . . . A superb biographical rehabilitation of an indispensable natural scientist."-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"

"Winner of the PROSE Award in the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, Association of American Publishers"

"A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year"

"[Radical by Nature] earns its place alongside other Wallace biographies. . . . It is both a competent biography of an incredible scientist while also being a compelling narrative. . . . A new take on the life and accomplishments of Alfred Russel Wallace."---Jeremy B. Stout, Quarterly Review of Biology

"A must-read not only for biogeographers, evolutionary biologists and historians of science, but also for anyone who is interested in modern history and the origins of current societies during colonial times. Alfred Russel Wallace deserves many more homages, but this loving tribute from James Costa is a major step towards putting him into the place he deserves in history."---Joaquín Hortal, Nature Ecology & Evolution

"Costa's stated aim of writing an updated biography has been more than realised; this book is a triumph! I tremendously enjoyed Radical by Nature and was very impressed with the depth of its scholarship. Next to an intimate portrait of this most fascinating scholar, Costa provides much detail on a critical period of scientific development and the social context in which it unfolded."---Leon Vlieger, The Inquisitive Biologist

"Alfred Russel Wallace, the codiscoverer of evolution by natural selection so often overshadowed by Charles Darwin, gets his star turn in this richly textured biography. . . . Deep research grounds the book, but Costa's prose is nevertheless breezy and informal, driving an often-exciting narrative."-- "Choice Reviews"

"An expansive and insightful biography. . . . [Costa] offers a fine introduction to Wallace's life and work for the uninitiated--and a revelatory portrait for those of us who thought we already knew him."---Jennie Erin Smith, Wall Street Journal

"Alfred Russel Wallace was perhaps the most famed naturalist of the Victorian age. . . . James T Costa's hefty, in-depth account draws on letters, notebooks and journals to mark Wallace's revolutionary life and achievements, on the 200th anniversary of his birth."-- "BBC Wildlife"

"[Costa] gives naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace the biography he deserves in this definitive account. . . . Comprehensive and revelatory, this is a first-rate take on an overlooked figure in scientific history."-- "Publishers Weekly"

About the Author

James T. Costa is professor of biology and executive director of the Highlands Biological Station at Western Carolina University. His books include Darwin's Backyard; The Annotated "Origin"; Wallace, Darwin, and the Origin of Species; Darwin and the Art of Botany (with Bobbi Angell); and (with Elizabeth E. Yale) The Descent of Man: An Annotated Edition of Darwin's Classic Work (Princeton). He is a recipient of the Alfred Russel Wallace Medal and other honors.