Pay in installments of $6.38 with
,
and
Shipping Estimate
USA
- USA
- CAN
- USA
- CAN
Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 21 - Aug 26
Promo Codes Available:
For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15
Description
The Power of Life: The Invention of Biology and the Revolutionary Science of Jean-Baptiste LamarckNAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2026 BY THE NEW YORKER"A truly remarkable achievement." Jill Lepore "A gorgeous story of human nature and animal behavior and of the way science itself evolves." Dava Sobel The tumultuous life and radical science of a revolutionary thinker, and the history of an idea that changed the world In the early nineteenth century, the French naturalist Jean Baptiste Lamarck proposed the first evolutionary theory of life and, with it, a new
NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2026 BY THE NEW YORKER"A truly remarkable achievement." --Jill Lepore
"A gorgeous story of human nature and animal behavior--and of the way science itself evolves." --Dava Sobel
The tumultuous life and radical science of a revolutionary thinker, and the history of an idea that changed the world
In the early nineteenth century, the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed the first evolutionary theory of life and, with it, a new science: biology. Yet for centuries, evolutionary theorists have endeavored to discredit Lamarck and his theory of self-transforming organisms, rejecting the idea that animals play an active role in shaping their own evolution. In his lifetime, he was mocked by his adversaries and personally insulted by Napoleon. In this virtuosic melding of biography, history, politics, and science, Jessica Riskin sets out to correct the record. Riskin tells the story of Lamarck's life and work as an intense struggle between rival forces to answer questions that remain foundational to our modern worldview: What is a living being, and what is science?
New findings suggest Lamarck's basic claim was, in many ways, right, and a reconsideration of his life and work is long overdue. Denying the agency of living beings has informed two centuries of eugenic policies and environmental destruction, allowing people to regard the living world as so much raw material to shape and exploit for economic, industrial, and imperial gain.
Deeply researched, strikingly original, and beautifully written, The Power of Life shines a much-needed light on an underappreciated biologist whose radical ideas offered a more inclusive, collaborative, and enlightened approach to science.
Shipping Notes
- Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
- Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
- Delivery to the USA:
- Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
- If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
- We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
- Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
- To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
- Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy