Status: Available

The Invention Of Nature

  • Fall 2026
  • Wednesday Morning

Alexander von Humboldt's New World

Moderator: John Armstrong
additional information (PDF)
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Details

  • Location: online
DESCRIPTION:

We will read the book, The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf, and discuss assigned sections in class. The book details von Humboldt’s epic journey in South America (1799-1804), his detailed scientific measurements, and his emerging view of the interconnectedness of all nature, which had a profound influence on Charles Darwin, Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, and the founders of the modern environmental movement.

ROLE OF PARTICIPANTS: Obtain the book, read it through before the class starts, and then read the assigned section and be prepared to discuss in class. There will be no presentations.
RESOURCES:

Wolf, Andrea, The Invention of Nature, Knopf, 2015.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR: I am a retired corporate R&D executive, and have moderated other seminars with this format.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Morning seminars run from 9:30 am – 11:30 am.