An excellent overview of how the public and private lives of this individual melded to produce one of the world's great naturalists and an excellent teacher. Wilson reveals that his life and career have been wholly satisfying, that he loved and enjoyed his work, but that it wasn't fun and games. It took a lot of self discipline and hard work, and lot of standing up to critics, and a certain amount of luck to achieve his goal in life, and in this biography he lays out the details. He certainly provides a lot of insight for anyone considering a career as a field naturalist.
For the science buff Wilson gives his personal insights into the history of biology in the twentieth century. The field went through a massive change with the discovery of the alpha helix as the basis of genetics and this book traces the currents and counter currents affecting the field of biology, the entire community of biologists, and the public perception of biology during this revolution.
The book is very readable as the biography of an academic celebrity, but those with an interest in the field of biology will probably find added value in the details.
For the science buff Wilson gives his personal insights into the history of biology in the twentieth century. The field went through a massive change with the discovery of the alpha helix as the basis of genetics and this book traces the currents and counter currents affecting the field of biology, the entire community of biologists, and the public perception of biology during this revolution.
The book is very readable as the biography of an academic celebrity, but those with an interest in the field of biology will probably find added value in the details.
