Journal Entry 1 by choclaholic from San Antonio, Texas USA on Tuesday, October 25, 2005

This was an abridged audiobook. I usually don't like my books abridged, but this looked like such a "diamond in the rough" sitting on the store shelf, that I took a chance on it. I must admit to being a little disappointed by it, though. After finishing listening to it, the thought I'm left with is, "Is that it?" This author, Darnton, is no Michael Cricton, that's for sure. And I don't think I'll seek out any more books written by him.

This is the story of modern day anthropologist Hugh somebody who meets up with Darwin-descendent Beth Dulcimer (nice name *gag*) and together they find long lost clues in the form of letters and journals...in people's attics and safe deposit boxes that expose Darwin as a fraud and murderer. Whatever.

The dialogue was often stilted, and the plot contrived, the body of work full of cliches, and I'm a bit skeptical about some of the historical science, Anyway, though the idea was intriguing, I suppose, and I did enjoy the voice of the woman on this audiobook that spoke the part of Darwin's daughter, Lizzie, through her journal entries, overall it was kind of a dud.

As far as Darwin goes, most of this is pure fiction. (For instance, wasn't the term "transmutation of species" accredited to Lamark, and not Darwin?) As far as any elements of truth to it, I will go so far as to paraphrase Carl Sagan when he said, "We are all flawed and we are all influenced by the times in which we live."

Finally, let me just say that of course Darwin didn't come up with the theory of evolution completely solo. He did not live in a vacuum. If he had able to see so far, it was because he had stood on the shoulders of giants. And he knew it!

I guess my 6 stars is actually a gift, and that's all I have to say about that. I hope the next reader/listener who finds this book gets something out of it :)

Choclaholic

 

Journal Entry 2 by choclaholic at City View Building, 10999 I 10 West in San Antonio, Texas USA on Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (10/26/2005 UTC) at City View Building, 10999 I 10 West in San Antonio, Texas USA

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5th floor break room table -- right off to the Science Department area.