David Quammen, master of science writing, brings to Trieste Next a surprising portrait of Charles Darwin—a figure both brilliant and deeply troubled. Blending biography with the history of ideas, Quammen reveals how the theory of natural selection was born out of hesitation, doubt and revolutionary insight, destined to forever change our understanding of the living world. This event highlights the striking relevance of Darwin’s thought and its disruptive power, which still challenges us today to reflect on nature, humanity, and our place in evolution.