Every Living Thing

In the 18th century, two remarkable minds set out on an ambitious journey to catalog all life on Earth, leading to a historic scientific rivalry. Carl Linnaeus, a devout Swedish physician with a showman's instinct, sought to classify life into clear, unchanging categories. Meanwhile, Georges-Louis de Buffon, a French aristocrat and curator of the royal gardens, perceived life as a dynamic, ever-evolving entity. Both men initially underestimated the sheer diversity of life, assuming the Earth harbored only a few thousand species. As they delved deeper into nature's complexity, their initial objectives proved elusive. Linnaeus, supported by his dedicated explorers whom he referred to as "apostles" (only half survived their missions), introduced concepts such as mammal, primate, and homo sapiens. However, his legacy is also marred by the denial of species change and the dissemination of racist theories. In contrast, Buffon was instrumental in shaping early ideas about evolution and genetics, and he vehemently opposed prejudice. Their conflicting ideas left a lasting impact, with Buffon seemingly gaining the upper hand during their lifetimes. Their enduring legacies, marked by opposing views on nature and humanity, resonate through the centuries. In his meticulously researched and engaging narrative, bestselling author Jason Roberts brilliantly explores this saga of competition and discovery, offering insights that continue to influence our understanding of the natural world.