Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith [Hardcover]

Deborah Heiligman (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 6, 2009

Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species, his revolutionary tract on evolution and the fundamental ideas involved, in 1859. Nearly 150 years later, the theory of evolution continues to create tension between the scientific and religious communities. Challenges about teaching the theory of evolution in schools occur annually all over the country. This same debate raged within Darwin himself, and played an important part in his marriage: his wife, Emma, was quite religious, and her faith gave Charles a lot to think about as he worked on a theory that continues to spark intense debates.

 

Deborah Heiligman's new biography of Charles Darwin is a thought-provoking account of the man behind evolutionary theory: how his personal life affected his work and vice versa. The end result is an engaging exploration of history, science, and religion for young readers.

 

Charles and Emma is a 2009 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 8 Up—Beginning with Darwin's notorious chart listing reasons to wed and not to wed, Heiligman has created a unique, flowing, and meticulously researched picture of the controversial scientist and the effect of his marriage on his life and work. Using the couple's letters, diaries, and notebooks as well as documents and memoirs of their relatives, friends, and critics, the author lets her subjects speak for themselves while rounding out the story of their relationship with information about their time and place. She shows how Darwin's love for his intelligent, steadfast, and deeply religious cousin was an important factor in his scientific work—pushing him to document his theory of natural selection for decades before publishing it with great trepidation. Just as the pair embodied a marriage of science and religion, this book weaves together the chronicle of the development of a major scientific theory with a story of true love. Published for young adults, this title will be equally interesting to adults drawn to revisit Darwin on his 200th birthday.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* When the book opens, Charles Darwin is trying to make a decision, and he is doing so in time-honored fashion: drawing a line down a piece of paper and putting the pros of marriage on one side and the cons on the other. As much as Darwin is interested in wedded life, he is afraid that family life will take him away from the revolutionary work he is doing on the evolution of species. However, the pluses triumph, and he finds the perfect mate in his first-cousin Emma, who becomes his comforter, editor, mother of his 10 children—and sparring partner. Although highly congenial, Charles and Emma were on opposite sides when it came to the role of God in creation. Heiligman uses the Darwin family letters and papers to craft a full-bodied look at the personal influences that shaped Charles’ life as he worked mightily to shape his theories. This intersection between religion and science is where the book shines, but it is also an excellent portrait of what life was like during the Victorian era, a time when illness and death were ever present, and, in a way, a real-time example of the survival of the fittest. Occasionally hard to follow, in part because of the many characters (the family tree helps), this is well sourced and mostly fascinating, and may attract a wider audience than those interested in science. Austen fans will find a romance to like here, too. To be illustrated with photographs. Grades 8-12. --Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (January 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805087214
• ISBN-13: 978-0805087215
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #560,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Deborah Heiligman is the author of close to 30 books for children and teens. CHARLES AND EMMA: The Darwins' Leap of Faith was a National Book Award Finalist, A Printz Honor, the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction winner, and a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize. Her forthcoming book, INTENTIONS, a YA novel, is an exploration of betrayal, love, faith, and the time in a kid's life when the black and white of childhood becomes the gray of adulthood. It's got religion, sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. Also, it's funny.

Check out this review: http://forward.com/articles/160733/are-you-there-god-it-s-me-rachel/#ixzz23qI1TXaA

And this article: http://www.brownalumnimagazine.com/content/view/3202/32/

Deborah lives in New York City with her husband. Her sons drop by frequently. She and her husband have recently adopted a Cairn terrier named Ketzie.

For more information, photos, and personal details, please visit her website at www.DeborahHeiligman.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Getting the inside story February 26, 2009

By K. Moulton

Format:Hardcover

I enjoyed reading this book. It gave me more inside information on Charles and his relationship with Emma. I think it humanizes Charles in a way many people may not see. Learning about the length of time he worked with his theories,the sensitivity toward his wife and her beliefs that he had, and reconciling his scientific ideas with his own religious beliefs, helped me to understand his struggle more. I believe middle and high school students could read and enjoy this book, and of course, adults. I think it is a bit too much for elementary students.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a love story for all ages January 7, 2009

By Sally Keehn

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book blew me away. It has such ramifications for the world today. Not only does it reveal the little known love story between Charles and Emma Darwin, but it shows how two people with such differing viewpoints (Charles was a scientist and agnostic; Emma, deeply religious) made their marriage work. The characters leap off the page. The author includes such fascinating details - Darwin's fascination with barnacles and worms; the way orchids bend toward the light. The dog who didn't like visiting the green house because he wanted his walk! And oh, the man himself, who studied the small things of life - leading him to a revolutionary theory about the big. And how he died, after a long and fruitful life, in his loving wife's arms.

I loved it!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Biography of Charles and Emma Darwin April 1, 2009

By Josh B.

Format:Hardcover

Few books offer as much human insight, inspiration, humor, and encouragement to enjoy science as this one. Heiligman has a sure touch as a biographer, using the telling remark or anecdote to flesh out the characters and explain their struggles, conflicts, and resolutions. Anyone who would like a short book on one of the world's great thinkers--and the conditions of home life that allowed him to prosper intellectually--can do no better than this. The tension between religion and science as Heiligman explains the Darwins' marriage and personal faith just adds to this engrossing story. Superb!