The Book That Changed America: How Darwin's Theory of Evolution Ignited a Nation

Synopsis

Traces The Impact Of Charles Darwin's On The Origin Of Species On A Diverse Group Of Writers, Abolitionists, And Social Reformers, Including Henry David Thoreau And Bronson Alcott, Against A Backdrop Of Growing Tensions And Transcendental Idealism In 1860 America. Part I: Origins -- The Book From Across The Atlantic -- Gray's Botany -- Beetles, Birds, Theories -- Word Of Mouth -- Making A Stir -- A Night At The Lyceum -- The Nick Of Time -- Part Ii: Struggles -- Bones Of Contention -- Agassiz -- The What-is-it? -- A Spirited Conflict -- Into The Vortex -- Tree Of Life -- A Jolt Of Recognition -- Wildfires -- Part Iii: Adaptations -- Discord In Concord -- Moods -- Meditations In A Garden -- The Succession Of Forest Trees -- Races Of The Old World -- A Cold Shudder -- Part Iv: Transformations -- At Down House -- The Ghost Of John Brown -- In The Transcendental Graveyard. Randall Fuller. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.