The Invention of Nature Audiobook By Andrea Wulf cover art

The Invention of Nature

The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt, the Lost Hero of Science

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

The Invention of Nature

By: Andrea Wulf
Narrated by: David Drummond
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $30.24

Buy for $30.24

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

Winner of the Costa Biography Award 2015. Winner of the LA Times Book Prize 2015 (Science and Technology). Shortlisted for the Independent Book Week Award 2016.

Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) is the great lost scientist: more things are named after him than anyone else. There are towns, rivers, mountain ranges, the ocean current that runs along the South American coast; there's a penguin, a giant squid - even the Mare Humboldtianum on the moon.

His colourful adventures read like something out of a Boy's Own story: Humboldt explored deep into the rainforest, climbed the world's highest volcanoes and inspired princes and presidents, scientists and poets alike. Napoleon was jealous of him; Simon Bolívar's revolution was fuelled by his ideas; Darwin set sail on the Beagle because of Humboldt; and Jules Verne's Captain Nemo owned all his many books. He simply was, as one contemporary put it, 'the greatest man since the Deluge'.

©2015 Andrea Wulf. Recorded by arrangement with Doubleday, an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC (P)2015 Highbridge, a division of Recorded Books Biological Sciences Environment Europe Physics Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology World

Critic reviews

"Dazzling." ( Literary Review)
"Brilliant." ( Sunday Express)
"Extraordinary and gripping." ( New Scientist)
"A superb biography." ( The Economist)
"An exhilarating armchair voyage." (Giles Milton, Mail on Sunday)
All stars
Most relevant  
Amazing story, hard to believe one human was capable of so much. The author paints a clear picture and takes you on an unforgettable adventure.

Amazing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This book is a small masterpiece and a must for anyone interested in the history of science, ecology, romanticism, and environmentalism. There is never a dull moment in Wulf's book, which follows Humboldt from the University of Jenna, Goethe, to revolutionary France, the Amazons, the new republic of America, and back to Germany. The chapters on Darwin, Thoreau, and Haeckel are also fascinating. The style of writing is vivid and this audio reading is captivating. One criticism. I think the amount of emphasis placed on Humboldt influence on the modern idea of nature is a little overblown. The argument is very much a "great man in history" argument. Having said this, this is a great book.

Top Science History

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A very enjoyable read about a fastinating man who's life was well lived and who has had far reaching influence during his lifetime and to present day. A vital part of anyone's reading collection who is interested in science writing and the environment. Michael Hall -Environmental photographer

An engaging, interesting read on a fascinating man

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The life, literature and legacy of Professor Alexander von Humbolt is beautifully written by Andrea Wulf. A must read for anyone who would like to hear about the man who opened the worlds eyes to the wonders of nature, science and the growing impact of humankind.

A riveting read about a such a fascinating man

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.