Charles Darwin was just twenty-two when he went on his first voyage around the world in 1831. Darwin's father at first refused to allow his young son to go on the voyage. Fortunately, his father relented, and Darwin's journal is now considered by many to be the greatest scientific travel narrative ever written. Revised by the author in 1860, this is an account of his experiences on the HMS Beagle, a ship that was mapping the coast of South America. What was set to be a two- or three-year voyage stretched out to a five-year adventure. Darwin took copious notes during the voyage, notes that would later lead to his formulation of the theory of evolution. He was able to observe coral reefs, fossil-filled rocks, earthquakes, and more, firsthand, and then make his own deductions.
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"There is a reason I love Darwin about as much as life itself...monumental scientific and philosophical achievements aside, his journals have an electrifying undercurrent of wonder and humor that make me proud to be a scientist, a naturalist, and a writer. "
— Alyson (5 out of 5 stars)
" Google Images is a necessary companion to this book. I was shocked by how many things I had to look up. "
— Vanessa, 2/11/2014" Just skimmed the book. Very difficult read. "
— Chris, 2/9/2014" I keep getting Darwin books for Christmas (which reflects basically everything my extended family thinks of me). Don't buy or read this book unless you're extremely interested in what happened to Darwin during his trip on the BMS Beagle "
— Brett, 2/2/2014" Wonderful, wonderful, real life adventure. "
— Kaeru, 2/1/2014" Incredibly easy to read (surprising to me). Although I'm actually listening to it on CD on the 15 min commute! "
— Mike, 2/1/2014" I tried to read the original, but gave up. This abridged and illustrated book edited by Millicent Selsam was just the thing to read as I was gtting ready fro my trip to Patagonia. "
— Bakul, 1/27/2014" Full of curious and singular facts, and the presence of a great observational mind. It really was a remarkable journey for Darwin, and through him, for the world and for history. "
— Barry, 1/25/2014" What an interesting read. It is a travelogue, history book, science journal and an adventure story in one. If you like Josh Sloacum, you will love this book. Darwin was such an inquisitive and keenly observant person. "
— Doug, 1/22/2014" An absolutely delightful work that provides insight into the powerful mind of one of history's greatest scientists/naturalists. Highly recommended. "
— Ubaid, 1/9/2014" Okay, I didn't completely finish it.... yet... but it's really quite fascinating! His perspective on race relations in South America was particularly illuminating. "
— Rika, 1/7/2014" Got about 50 pages in each time. My God its just a catalogue really. Must give it another go. Probably readable if you skip the lists. "
— BláithÃn, 12/29/2013" Darwin as a young man takes a 5 year trip around the world, much of the time spent in South America, notably the Galapagos Island in Ecuador. "
— Juan, 12/4/2013" a window in time, his humility as a fellow person is shown here. I love his non judgement and description of the natives, especially the one of watching native mother nurse her infant while snow fell on them both and neither noticed. "
— Sara, 9/18/2013" I read this in college and am still thinking about it 10+ years later. "
— Amanda, 7/18/2013" A really great travel and scientific journal of South America. Recommended reading for anyone planning a trip to Brazil, Patagonia, Ecuador, etc. The historical context and zoological and geological descriptions are interesting to this day. "
— Murray, 5/17/2013" I know the information/theories presented within changed the world, but man! Darwin's writing is dry and the Sahara! "
— Brooks, 4/27/2013" I read this book roughly following his route around South America, except for Brasil. It really added value to the trip. "
— Shannan, 11/15/2012" This was aMAZing! The descriptions and details of Darwin's travels made me wish I could have been there. "
— Marta, 5/10/2012" A colleague I consider to be one the smartest guys I know recommended this to me & I just heeded his advice. I'm so happy I did. Classic. "
— Kev, 4/21/2012" 22 year old guy sails off for 5 years as naturalist on the Beagle. His many adventures help him turn out to be Charles Darwin. "
— Steve, 5/17/2011" Very Interesting and erudite! <br/>I am glad I finally got around to reading it. <br/>What an amazing circumnavigation of the globe. "
— David, 3/9/2011" I loved this book. It made science so easy. And Darwin was amazing to be able to find all <br/>of the information and classify it, etc. Sometimes a bit wordy but worth every word. "
— Jetreno, 2/5/2011" What an interesting read. It is a travelogue, history book, science journal and an adventure story in one. If you like Josh Sloacum, you will love this book. Darwin was such an inquisitive and keenly observant person. "
— doug, 1/10/2011" It was interesting to read just how intelligent Darwin was. Besides being a biologist and studying the effects of natural selection on finches in the Galapagos, he studied geology, paleontology, and botany. While his written is the easiest to read, it is fascinating. "
— Dayna, 12/8/2010" Okay... truthfully... it was really boring. "
— Jessica, 11/1/2010" it is one of The Great Writers Library, and is my reading for the month, in our local book club. It is a privately owned collection and each member has selected one to read for the month. "
— Colleen, 7/28/2010" That although this isbn come up as a hardcover, it is a paperback. "
— Colin, 7/8/2010" Incredibly easy to read (surprising to me). Although I'm actually listening to it on CD on the 15 min commute! "
— Mike, 2/24/2010Charles Darwin (1809–1882) was an English naturalist and the first evolutionary biologist, best known for his controversial and groundbreaking The Origin of Species. He introduced the concept of natural selection, marking a new epoch in the scientific world. The importance of his work was well recognized by his contemporaries; he was elected to the Royal Society and the French Academy of Sciences and was also honored by burial in Westminster Abbey after he died.
David Case was a distinguished narrator who recorded over 700 audiobooks, was nominated for a Grammy Award, and received numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for his narrations. AudioFile magazine named him a Golden Voice.
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.