Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life by Jason Roberts is a sweeping, meticulously researched narrative chronicling the parallel lives, scientific rivalry, and enduring legacies of Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis de Buffon. These two 18th-century giants, born just months apart, fundamentally shaped the way we understand, classify, and relate to the natural world. Their contrasting visions of nature, the monumental task they undertook to catalog all living things, and the consequences of their work reverberate through science and society to this day1345.
Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish physician and botanist, is portrayed as a man of humble origins, fiercely ambitious, and almost evangelical in his quest to bring order to nature. He believed that all living things could be neatly classified into static, hierarchical categories. Linnaeus’s system, which introduced terms like “mammal,” “primate,” and “Homo sapiens,” was revolutionary. He dispatched a cadre of young scientists—his “apostles”—to the farthest corners of the globe to collect specimens and data, though many never returned. Linnaeus’s work, however, was not without flaws. He denied the possibility that species could change over time and, more troublingly, lent scientific legitimacy to racist pseudoscience by classifying humans into arbitrary categories345.
Georges-Louis de Buffon, in contrast, was a French aristocrat, polymath, and the keeper of the royal gardens. Buffon saw nature as endlessly complex and dynamic, resisting the urge to confine it to rigid boxes. He was a pioneering thinker, formulating early ideas about evolution and genetics, warning about climate change, and arguing against prejudice. Buffon’s experiments—such as building a forest to study trees—demonstrated a fascination with the processes and variability of life rather than its static forms34.
Both men began their careers believing that the number of species on Earth was limited, perhaps only a few thousand—an idea rooted in the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. As they and their followers delved deeper, they were astounded by the diversity of life, quickly realizing the enormity—and impossibility—of their task. Their efforts, however, laid the groundwork for modern biology, taxonomy, and evolutionary theory345.
Linnaeus’s system eventually gained dominance, in part due to the political upheavals of the French Revolution, which curtailed Buffon’s influence. Yet Buffon’s dynamic view of life would resurface a century later in the work of Charles Darwin and others, who acknowledged Buffon’s prescience in matters of evolution and the mutability of species4.
Roberts’s narrative is populated by a vivid cast of characters beyond the two central rivals. Explorers, scientists, and thinkers such as Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin, and Charles Darwin make appearances, illustrating the global and interdisciplinary nature of the quest to know all life. The adventures of Linnaeus’s “apostles” are particularly gripping, with many facing fatal dangers in their pursuit of knowledge15.
The book does not shy away from the darker aspects of its subjects’ legacies. Linnaeus’s rigid categories contributed to the development of scientific racism, while Buffon’s more inclusive vision offered an early critique of prejudice. Roberts traces how these competing worldviews shaped not only the science of their time but also the social and ethical debates that followed. The narrative extends into the present, showing how the questions and discoveries of Linnaeus and Buffon continue to inform contemporary discussions in biology, genetics, and environmental science35.
Roberts also highlights how the scientific enterprise is never static. He discusses how new discoveries—such as the realization that giraffes comprise multiple species—demonstrate both the progress made since the 18th century and the vast unknowns that remain3.
Roberts’s storytelling is frequently praised for its elegance, clarity, and ability to weave together multiple narrative threads. He alternates between the lives of Linnaeus and Buffon, often introducing new chapters with intriguing twists or foreshadowing, keeping the reader engaged. The book is accessible to both general readers and those with a scientific background, providing enough detail to satisfy curiosity without overwhelming the narrative23.
1. Superb Storytelling and Research
Roberts’s narrative is both propulsive and meticulously researched, drawing on more than a decade of work. The book is praised for its ability to make complex scientific ideas accessible, while never sacrificing nuance or depth. The stories of Linnaeus, Buffon, and their contemporaries are brought vividly to life, making the history of science feel immediate and relevant235.
2. Rich, Human Portraits
Rather than presenting Linnaeus and Buffon as mere icons, Roberts delves into their personalities, motivations, and flaws. Readers come to understand not just their scientific achievements, but their human struggles, ambitions, and biases. This approach makes the book as much a work of biography as of scientific history234.
3. Exploration of Big Questions
The book grapples with profound questions: Is there structure to nature, or is it inherently chaotic? Can humanity ever hope to fully understand the diversity of life? What are the ethical implications of how we classify and value living things? These questions are not just historical curiosities—they remain central to contemporary debates in science and society23.
4. Relevance to Modern Science and Society
Roberts draws clear lines from the work of Linnaeus and Buffon to present-day issues, such as the ongoing discovery of new species, the evolution of scientific racism, and the challenges of biodiversity conservation. The book helps readers see how the past continues to shape the present, and why the quest to understand “every living thing” is far from over35.
5. Accessibility and Engagement
Despite its ambitious scope, the book is highly readable. Roberts’s use of narrative techniques—such as foreshadowing, vivid character sketches, and thematic connections—makes the material engaging even for those without a scientific background. Readers consistently report that the book is both enjoyable and enlightening, with many noting that it inspired them to learn more about the history of biology234.
1. Illuminates the Origins of Modern Biology
By tracing the development of taxonomy, evolutionary theory, and genetics, the book provides essential context for understanding how modern biology came to be. It shows how scientific ideas evolve, are contested, and sometimes misused, offering valuable lessons for scientists and non-scientists alike345.
2. Encourages Critical Thinking
Roberts does not shy away from the controversies and missteps of his subjects. By examining the ways in which science has been shaped by culture, politics, and personal bias, the book encourages readers to think critically about scientific authority and the social consequences of scientific ideas35.
3. Connects Past and Present
The book’s discussion of recent discoveries—such as the reclassification of giraffes—demonstrates that the quest to understand life is ongoing. This perspective is both humbling and inspiring, reminding readers that science is a dynamic, collective enterprise35.
4. Inspires Curiosity and Wonder
Above all, "Every Living Thing" rekindles a sense of wonder about the natural world and humanity’s place within it. By telling the stories of those who risked everything to expand the boundaries of knowledge, Roberts invites readers to share in the excitement and challenges of scientific discovery23.
Every Living Thing stands out as an outstanding and helpful book because it combines rigorous scholarship with compelling storytelling, humanizes the giants of science, explores enduring questions about nature and knowledge, and connects the past to the present. Whether you are a scientist, a student, or simply a curious reader, Roberts’s book offers a profound and engaging journey through the history of life’s classification—and the ongoing adventure to know every living thing2345.