Darwin’s Notebook: The Life, Times and Discoveries of Charles Robert Darwin by Jonathan Clements offers a distinctive and engaging portrait of the renowned naturalist. Unlike conventional biographies, this book is crafted to resemble a personal journal, enriched with excerpts from Darwin’s own writings, illustrations, and photographs, providing readers with an intimate glimpse into his life and work .   Clements delves into Darwin’s early years in Shrewsbury, shedding light on his family background, including the influential roles of his father, Dr. Robert Darwin, and his mother, Susannah Wedgwood. The narrative follows Darwin’s academic pursuits at Edinburgh and Cambridge, his transformative voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, and the subsequent development of his groundbreaking theory of evolution by natural selection. The book also explores Darwin’s personal struggles, such as his hesitations in publishing his theories and the controversies that ensued .