The Invention of Nature
Alexander Von Humboldt's New World
by Andrea Wulf · first published 2015
86% recommend14% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Well-researched biography of Alexander von Humboldt covering his travels, scientific contributions, and influence on figures like Darwin and Goethe; suits readers new to Humboldt or interested in the history of science.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
From the Prologue... When nature is perceived as a web, its vulnerability also becomes obvious. Everything hangs together. If one thread is pulled, the whole tapestry may unravel. After he saw the devastating environmental effects of colonial plantations at Lake Valencia in Venezuela in 1800, Humboldt became the first scientist to talk about harmful human-induced climate change. Deforestation there had made the land barren, water levels of the lake were falling and with the disappearance of brushwood torrential rains had washed away the soils on the surrounding mountain slopes. Humboldt was
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The article references Andrea Wulf's the Invention of Nature a number of times, which I'd like to give a hearty, emphatic +1 recommendation to. It's a beautifully written biography and the Vintage Books paperback is also a physically beautiful book.
on “Alexander von Humboldt: A Scientist’s Mind, a Poet’s Soul” ↗I am almost finished with a book about Humboldt (Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf). It's been a fantastic read, and I was surprised/ashamed that I hadn't known anything about Humboldt until earlier this year.
on “Alexander von Humboldt: the first Solarpunk” ↗…to write, 2: An incredible amount of it is drawn from personal issues and experiences, his struggles with addiction and loneliness were very real and he greatly downplayed them in his interviews. The Invention of Nature (Andrea Wulf) The best historical book I've ever read. Von Humbolt was one of the greatest scientists to ever live and I can't believe I'd ever heard of him before. The book itself does a great job of…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗Indeed. re Alexander von Humboldt: Andrea Wulf’s, The Invention of Nature[0], is an excellent overview of his work and impact. It's quite shocking how little he is known; somewhat similar to James Clerk Maxwell. [0] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23995249-the-invention-o...
on “C.S. Lewis on the Reading of Old Books” ↗…Independence--and much more) The Food Explorer by Daniel Stone (about David Fairchild, who introduced 10,000 plants to U.S. agriculture at the turn of the 20th century, most of the groceries we buy today) The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf (a biography of Alexander von Humboldt) How Proust Can Change Your Life by Alain de Botton
on “Ask HN: What books have you read that have changed your life?” ↗"The Invention of Nature" about Alexander von Humboldt, by Andrea Wulf. Very in-depth book about a naturalist who deserves to be much better known than he generally is. It also includes several chapters with mini-biographies…
on “Lessons of an MIT Education” ↗- Fooled by randomness by Nassim Taleb - Sapiens by Yuval Harari - The invention of nature by Andrea Wulf - The subtle art of not giving a f*ck by Mark Manson - Philosophy of Science: Very Short Introduction by Samir Okasha
on “Ask HN: Notable books you read this year” ↗…Jünger: Annäherungen. Drogen und Rausch (not transleted to english? I've read it in polish). Great piece of essay. The Art of War by Sun Tzu - bit sad 2 books by Greg Egan: Distress & Teranesia The Invention of Nature : Alexander Von Humboldt's New World DMT: The spirit molecule One Hundred Years of Solitude by Marquez (WOW) The book of dead philosophers by Simon Critchley (funny!) & some more (I have to start…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?” ↗The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf is a fantastic, highly recommended read. It covers Humboldt’s life as an adventuring proto-scientist as well as the impact he’s had on the world’s great scientific and artistic minds (Darwin,…
on “Alexander von Humboldt: the first Solarpunk” ↗The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf It details Alexander von Humboldt, his travels through South America and Siberia, and general contributions to science. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23995249-the-invention-o...
on “Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things” ↗…research. 71. The Wager by David Grann - 18th-century British maritime disaster. 72. Caro's LBJ Series - Biography of Lyndon B. Johnson. 73. The Prize by Daniel Yergin - Oil industry history. 74. The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf - Alexander von Humboldt's contributions. 75. Bad Blood by John Carreyrou - Theranos scandal. 76. Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson - Memoir and business insights. 77. The Hard…
on “Ask HN: Books about people who did hard things” ↗"Invention of Nature"; nonfiction; about the life of Alexander von Humboldt; Darwin said of him "if it hadn't been for AVH, I would have never stepped foot on the HMS Beagle"; profoundly important to modern science, an adventurer,…
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade?” ↗>Absolutely, the same way that great minds of past generations had friends, went to social events, and wrote letters. I recently read the Wulf's The Invention of Nature, a biography of Alexander von Humboldt - from the middle of his life up until his death Humboldt wrote 2000 to 3000 letters per year, crazy if you think how much work a "regular" letter is.
on “Educated Germans avoid social media” ↗This article is mostly a review of the book The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf [0] which traces the origin of our concept of Nature to the Prussian explorer Alexander von Humboldt and his millieu of scientists and explorers. After reading Wulf's book last year, I…
on “How we invented nature” ↗