Richard Holmes (1) (1945–)

Here's what I wrote on 2010 about this read: "Different type of read for me. The almost-reads-like-a-novel story of British scientists and poets of the Romantic Era. Great history of Banks, who visited Tahiti and lead the Royal Society of Scientists (although they weren't named that yet), William Hershel, the German refugee who discovered Urananus and his sister, Caroline, who discovered massive numbers of comets. Then there's Mary Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein during this period. Others as well; very engaging and educational read!"… (more)

When I loved this book, I absolutely adored it. The sections on Robert Louis Stevenson and Mary Wollstonecraft are tremendous. Unfortunately, I found the Shelley section far less interesting, and the section on Nerval went on a bit long, although it was mostly engaging and rewarding. By writing about biography and art and career and creativity, Holmes is essentially talking about life. Apart from in the Shelley section, I found I could relate to the author or his subject.

Holmes writes beautifully, with very clear prose that invites the reader to empathise.… (more)