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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
This book seems like a little enticement to read Wulf's [b:The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World|23995249|The Invention of Nature Alexander von Humboldt's New World|Andrea Wulf|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452449264l/23995249._SX50_.jpg|43595986]. Some aspects of the illustration did not work great for me, but I did really enjoy the use of collage and the plates and drawings from [a:Alexander von Humboldt|303739|Alexander von Humboldt|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1398534535p2/303739.jpg] himself.
The energy and drive of Von Humboldt to observe, catalog, and share new information shines through in this book. His journeys are remarkable and he comes off as being a rather decent person even by today's standards. I was surprised at the amount of respect Von Humboldt seemed to give to indigenous peoples of the Americas and his curiosity about their civilizations. It is also a pleasant surprise when any white guy from the 18th and 19th Century is upfront about the horrors of slavery. Definitely will need to check out Wulf's full book on Von Humboldt after this whetted my curiosity about him.
The energy and drive of Von Humboldt to observe, catalog, and share new information shines through in this book. His journeys are remarkable and he comes off as being a rather decent person even by today's standards. I was surprised at the amount of respect Von Humboldt seemed to give to indigenous peoples of the Americas and his curiosity about their civilizations. It is also a pleasant surprise when any white guy from the 18th and 19th Century is upfront about the horrors of slavery. Definitely will need to check out Wulf's full book on Von Humboldt after this whetted my curiosity about him.
Beautiful illustrations, great way of incorporating his diary
Really incredible naturalist and adventurer that sadly isn’t as well known as he should be. Influenced Darwin, Muir, Goethe, and basically everyone else in the 19th century for his web of life concepts. My dad followed some of his path on the Orinoco and now I want to as well!
Really well done melding the wit and intelligence of the female author/illustrators with that of these scientists from a couple of centuries ago. Alexander con Humbolt was the essence of a true explorer. We know many of the things we do about the natural world today because of his work and research. The illustrations are simply a lovely way to accentuate this story.
This, in combination with the biography on Humboldt, just makes me want to travel back in time to witness this genius and experience the world the way he did!
Absolutely delightful. Great to revisit one part of Wulf's The Invention of Nature in a graphic format.
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Één van de beste biografieën die er zijn. Avontuurlijk en meeslepend geschreven!
This book is astonishing. I found it on the new shelf at the Southwest Harbor public library on Mt. Desert Island while on vacation and they let me check it out! (Pro tip : if you are ever staying at a vacation community with a library, just ask for a card and see!) I had a day to read it before leaving the island and was totally engrossed! Not only had I really never heard of Alexander von Humboldt (and his works and influence) who was EXTREMELY important in the arenas of studying plants, geology, native cultures and customs of South America, but I had never quite seen a book like this. This book felt custom made for me - adventuring in South America AND it’s a graphic novel!? This book does a BRILLIANT job of staying in the moment with thrilling adventure and death defying dos in the name of science while also flashing ahead to highlight von Humboldts lasting resounding influence. He had a lot to say about deforestation, slavery and treatment of native peoples and conservation that was, for the time, extremely forward thinking. He is portrayed in this book as a sort of absent minded professor - constantly thinking, measuring and recording and he is still extremely likable. He makes me want to do more with my day - And want to go to South America all the more. My one and only complaint about this book is, due to its size sometimes the images were blown out or pixelated in the collages....I didn’t even talk about the collages....just READ THIS!
adventurous
informative
inspiring
slow-paced