' 'Peter Raby's book follows a disparate crew of botanists, scientists and collectors, who tried to order the earthly paradise which unfolded around them. Entrepreneurs they may have been - many were dependent on selling their specimens to finance their trips-but they were also scrupulous and sensitive observers.
In 1858, aged thirty-five, weak with malaria, isolated in the remote Spice Islands, Alfred Russel Wallace wrote to Charles Darwin: he had, he said excitedly, worked out a theory of natural selection. A year later, with Wallace still at the opposite side of the world, On the Origin of Species was published.
The Cambridge Companion to Harold Pinter provides an introduction to one of the world's leading and most controversial writers, whose output in many genres and roles continued to grow until the author's death in 2008. Harold Pinter, winner of the 2005 Nobel Prize for Literature, produced work for the theatre, radio, television and screen, in addition to being a highly successful director and actor. This volume examines the wide range of Pinter's work (including his recent play Celebration). The first section of essays places his writing within the critical and theatrical context of his time, and its reception worldwide. The Companion moves on to explore issues of performance, with essays by practitioners and writers. The third section addresses wider themes, including Pinter as celebrity, the playwright and his critics, and the political dimensions of his work. The volume offers photographs from key productions, a chronology, checklist of works and bibliography.
Harriet Smithson Berlioz's life and career are explored through the lens of her vulnerability and talent as an actress, countering the myths surrounding her. Peter Raby delves into the theatrical and cultural context of her era, examining touring troupes, the Georgian theatre, and the evolution of acting styles in England and France. He also discusses the economic aspects of theatre and the intellectual backdrop influencing Shakespeare's reception in France. Central to the narrative is Harriet's role as a symbol of the Romantic spirit in a transformative period of cultural history.
Set in 1858, the narrative centers on Alfred Russel Wallace, who, despite battling malaria in the Spice Islands, independently formulates a theory of natural selection. His groundbreaking discovery prompts an urgent correspondence with Charles Darwin, who fears being overshadowed. Their joint presentation in London marks a pivotal moment in scientific history, leading to Darwin's subsequent publication of On the Origin of Species, while Wallace remains unaware of the impact his work will have from afar.