It was back in 2005 (is that really 19 years ago?) that I acquired my own copy of Ecology and Evolution of Darwin's Finches and was, to use a vernacular expression, "blown away."
My book is the 1999 version with the foreword by Jonathan Weiner - so what to do but get a copy of The Beak of the Finch? If anything the "blowing away" was getting stronger!
As a lifelong student of Charles Darwin and a staunch follower of David Lack, this unique study of evolution in real time was a revelation of epic proportions.
I became a committed, dedicated admirer of Peter and Rosemary Grant, and eagerly read everything else they had written. My level of awe (I don't think that's hyperbole) was magnified. On one small island in The Galápagos these two scientists, man and wife, partners always, revolutionized our understanding of life on Earth.
Their commitment, their tenacity, their dedication to excellence, their results, their contribution to science are the stuff of legend.
When Princeton published the biographies of Peter and Rosemary (delightful in the extreme) I thought I had it all, but the circle is closing perhaps with this latest addition to the canon.
It updates the original, enhances and primps, reflects advances in technology, presents new facts, but the essential work remains the same. I am bound to say that this was a difficult book to review, since I was constantly referring to the original works, then dipping into Weiner's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, and going back and forth to both biographies - but what an enjoyable experience, time consuming though it was.
It is daunting even to think of conducting a study for forty years, especially on a hunk of volcanic rock sticking out of the ocean, difficult to get to, hazardous to land on, and lacking in creature comforts of even the most basic kind. How many scientists have to make do with a cave as both their kitchen and their lab? How many scientists have the tenacity to carry on year after year? It seems to me that a man and wife team - a team of equals I hasten to add - makes it all the more remarkable.
There is surely an element of unalloyed joy that this seminal research was carried out on Darwin's Finches, those very birds that set the stage for On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, ( I relish the full title!) - not without a little help from Mr. Gould I might add. I think that to refer to Peter Grant, or Rosemary Grant, as the new Darwin merely recognizes their phenomenal accomplishments, and does not exceed the bounds of reason and good taste.
Their work is monumental. I doubt whether anything will come close to matching it for a very long time.
In retirement the Grants have received honours and tributes from all over the world, richly deserved, earned in the fires of excellence. I salute them and thank them for bringing so much pleasure and learning to my life.
It has been a privilege to know them vicariously.
Initially, I had a quote from Darwin in mind to end this review but I have discarded it. What better ending than Peter's own coda?
The cradle that is Daphne was once undersea
Umbilicaled to Santiago
She emerged from a deep subterranean sleep
The year, an exceptional El Niño
Daphne is a cradle that is now above sea
She nurtured the birth of a finch
Compounded of genes from two species or more
The beak much less than an inch
The cradle that is Daphne will sink once again
Or explode and then it will be gone
By then the finches will have flown elsewhere
Continuing to evolve, on and on
40 Years of Evolution: Darwin's Finches on Daphne Major Island, New Edition - Princeton University Press
Peter T. Grant and B. Rosemary Grant
Paperback - $39.95USD - ISBN: 9780691263229
464 pages - 6.125 x 9.25 inches (15.31 x 23.125 cm)
185 black-and-white illustrations - 21 tables
Publication date: 12 November 2024
...you sure let your passion show!!!
ReplyDeletePassion is the only worthy response to the Grants, Tom.
DeleteHow beautiful are the finches, the Galapagos and the coda of Daphne Island, so elegant and lyrical.
ReplyDeleteGood night, dear friend. Kisses 🌱✨
That sounds like an interesting and very educational read. You have the best book reviews, David, and I always appreciate your honesty.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish that they were aware of your tribute...
ReplyDeleteI am about to leave for Ottawa to visit my daughter, but will be back home again on Monday night. On Tuesday I will send it to them.
DeleteI'd find that I would have to cross reference the new book too.
ReplyDeleteSounds a good one, David.
This is a great book David.
ReplyDeleteWith beautiful pictures in it.
Greetings Irma
I found an article on a Norwegian website called Forskning.no. about Rosemary and Peter Grant from 2019 when they were in Oslo during the celebration of Darwin's birthday. It was exciting for me to read that article about just those two after reading your blog, David. Evolution takes place all the time, and it is incredibly exciting to read about it. I hope that you can read the article.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.forskning.no/biologi-biologisk-mangfold-evolusjon/hva-er-sant-og-hva-er-usant-om-darwins-finker-pa-galpagos/1293603
That book of yours sounds very exciting. Thanks for writing a review about it.
Hugs and kisses, Marit
Thanks for this, Marit. I will read it for sure. Hugs and kisses - David
DeleteI just read the article, Marit, and it filled me with happiness. Thanks so much for sending it and especially thanks for knowing about the Grants.
DeleteI've heard of the Grants. That is really A+ dedication to work on project for 40 years. But as they say, do what you love and you never work a day in your life, is definitely true here. Have a great start to your weekend David. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteTheir work was truly exceptional and I have not the slightest doubt that they too are exceptional.
DeleteWow, talk about determination and tenacity! what a life they have lived and if Daphne does blow up and go away, there work will remain behind to show what they found. from what I can see of the photos, the books is beautiful. Enjoy what you do is your middle name
ReplyDeleteYour enthusiasm is contagious!
ReplyDeleteI'm researching them and I found in spanish "How and why species multiply"
Thank you david
Un abrazo
Enjoy!
DeleteSounds good, thanks for the review
ReplyDeleteYes scary to think it was 19 years ago, I am sure I was studying computing back then! Another great book in your collection :-D
ReplyDeleteAnd this one has special meaning too.
DeleteOver the years I have had a long time fascination with the Galapagos and all the involved research there..I'm sure I have seen "specials" involving the Grants and their lifetime endeavor. Your review is a tribute to them as well as a book review..Always exceptional.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Missy
An unabashed tribute, Missy. I don’t think it affects my honest review of the book, however. It is an update of their original work which received universal high acclaim.
Delete40 years of sturdy, what an astonishing length of time to be in one place to observe and record the wildlife with so much detail. A huge contribution to knowledge and to science. Wow.
ReplyDeletePlease read the work. You will be astounded.
DeleteLooks like another wonderful read. Another one for my list, thank you David!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure.
DeleteFascinating. Another book I need to add to my collection.
ReplyDeleteMahtavaa! Kiitos postauksesta. Hyvää viikonloppua David!
ReplyDeleteIt's almost difficult to realize the amount of knowledge and understanding these scientists have gained as a result of their passion and effort. And yet I wonder if without your review I had known about this book. Topics like this are not discussed enough in the media.
ReplyDeleteThe concluding passage is enchanting.
I am that you know about them now, Sara.
DeleteThat should say “I am glad……”
DeleteYou are right. Immediate results are now demanded. Nobody waits 40 years anymore.
ReplyDeleteTheir revolutionary work on evolution is truly inspiring. Thanks for the insightful review!
ReplyDeleteHallo David,
ReplyDeleteEen fijne recensie van dit boek over de Darwinvinken van Darwin. Het is een gedenkwaardig moment in de evolutietheorie. Dank dat je het wilde delen.
Groeten,
Ad
A few months ago, on a ship in the Galapagos, we passed by the tiny rock where the Grants did their research. Seeing how small and barren it was made me realize that there’s nowhere for even a very small boat to tie up, and made me visualize how much they gave up the comforts of our civilization to enlighten us. Luckily the ship’s library had a copy of The Beak of the Finch, so I could reread some while we were in the exact area. As you say: this is earthshaking!
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
How I envy you this experience, Mae.
DeleteLee muy buenos libros y el mundo de las aves, no tiene secretos para ti.
ReplyDeleteFeliz domingo.
Me encanta este libro. Gracias a que hay personas así, tenemos estos estudios. Abrazos.
ReplyDelete40 years of study is a very long time but I am sure highly rewarding or they would have have done so for such a period. A timely post as I was discussing Darwin with my daughter this week as part of her continued education at home.
ReplyDeletePlease expose her to the Grants.
DeleteI will be the most well read Grandmother in town, thanks to you. I have made it through many of your recommended books and I am guessing I will do the same with this latest recommendation. It has been years since I studied Darwin's work so this will be a refreshing revisit to the world of evolution. I can only admire a couple who devoted their lives to learning and teaching those of us who take so much for granted. Thank you once again ... you are the only person I know who loves the natural world as much as I do ... and yes, it breaks my heart that people are so complacent about the prospect of Global Warming. But then, they voted in a complete numbskull to run our country into the ground, so why should I be surprised. I hate it that the world I grew up in has been so summarily disposed of without the slightest remorse.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a lovely Fall, David, as we are starting to get signs of winter already :( But, then, there are things about winter that I enjoy (like the presence of Juncos in my yard :)
Andrea @ From the Sol
You are an inspiration, Andrea. I think you should move to Canada - right on my street!
DeleteDavid, me encanto tu blog y la reseña que nos dejas, 40 años es casi una vida , hay pasión y mucho amor en lo que haces, te felicito.Abrazos y te dejo un beso, que tengas un feliz dia, te felicito.
ReplyDeleteMy friendly magpie and butcherbird mates have been chatting loudly, cheerfully and often to me at my front door all morning. :) I love having them around.
ReplyDeleteHello David,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the book and the Grants, they are highly respected for their research.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day and have a great new week! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Your enthusiasm for this subject and the authors explodes here and carries such energy, I think everyone will want to read it! What a splendid review.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting, David. And no, I can't imagine living in a cave or researching in a remote island for forty years. True dedication.
ReplyDeleteWhat a deeply thoughtful review of *40 Years of Evolution: Darwin's Finches on Daphne Major Island*! The dedication and persistence of Peter and Rosemary Grant are truly inspiring, and it’s fascinating how their work has continued to shape our understanding of evolution in real time. Their groundbreaking research on the finches is as monumental as Darwin's own discoveries. I appreciate how you reflected on the challenges they faced and the joy their findings brought to science. This book sounds like an essential read for anyone interested in evolutionary biology. Wishing you a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteOh this is super interesting, did not know this author, so thank you. I wrote my first Darwin quote in high school. To this day I cannot find it but something to the effect of, you must continually test your theories for weakness or changes and adjust them accordingly. I have lost both that notebook and the source.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I will look this up!
I had hoped to take in Richard Dawkins in his final tour incl Vancouver, but was not able to pull it off even though I was there at the time. Another regret lol
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your interesting comment. I too would regret not having made the Richard Dawkins event, but at least there are many You Tube videos. All the best - David
DeleteVery interesting book!.........Abrazotes, Marcela
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I had to close your blog immediately, my cat got a nervous breakdown seeing all these finches ! What you look for and what you write is the same I do but .... with cats !
ReplyDeleteYou have many great books I can see by following you here. And this book seems to be extremely informative with photos and texture. Leave the authers a note ! Best regards Lasse
ReplyDeleteI love how you delve into the fascinating study of Darwin's finches in your review of "40 Years of Evolution." Your insights into the long-term research on Daphne Major Island are both informative and engaging. What aspect of the Grants' research did you find most compelling or surprising?
ReplyDeleteThat’s a question that is (at least for me) unanswerable in a line or two. I suppose the easiest answer would be their discovery and evidence of evolution over a very short time span, but that hardly does it justice. To compress forty years of research by two of the world’s most eminent evolutionary biologists into a paragraph or two is just about impossible. Thanks for the question, though, and thanks for stopping by my blog.
DeleteSounds like you put a lot of time and effort into reviewing a very worthwhile read. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI did, Sandra, but it was all sheer pleasure. To revel in the pleasure provided by these fine scientists is nothing short of uplifting.
DeleteQuerido David muchas gracias por esta estupenda información. Después de leerte me puse al día con el trabajo y la dedicación de estos científicos, me quede sorprendida y encantada. Como siempre tu reseña maravillosa. Un fuerte abrazo para ti y para Miriam.
ReplyDeleteI know that some of their work has been published in Spanish, Lola. Perhaps this book will be too. Un abrazo - David
DeleteI once knew a scientist at Columbia University, who was fascinated with birds. I remember he applied for grants to study the minute muscles in a bird's jaw.
ReplyDeleteReductionism is ever more pervasive, Gigi.
Delete