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marsybar's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Interesting read and his enjoyment of his journeys is easy to see. Plus it's fun to see his notes that you can guess lead to his theories, and in general and cool look into his own mind.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
5.0
Charles Darwin set sail onboard the HMS Beagle on the 27th of December, 1831 and didn’t return to England until the 2nd of October, 1836. An accounting of this endeavor’s observations and discoveries was first published in 1839 as “Charles Darwin’s Journal and Remarks.” It was so popular that it was republished in 1845, this time as “Charles Darwin’s Journal of Researches,” and then again in 1905 as “The Voyage of the Beagle.”
Rather than digressing into some long winded synopsis of a book that has been Goodreads reviewed over 500 times, I am going to limit myself to just three elements that caught my attention (you’re welcome):
One. Even though Darwin’s theory of natural selection was far from being fully formulated and articulated (see On the Origin of Species, 1859), the fingerprints of species mutability (read: Evolution) are all over this book. For example:
“…Chionis alba [the snowy sheathbill] is an inhabitant of the Antarctic regions. It feeds on seaweed and shells on the tidal rocks. Although not webfooted, from some unaccountable habit it is frequently met with far out at sea. This small family of birds is one of those which, from its varied relations to other families, although at present offering only difficulties to the systematic naturalist, ultimately may assist in revealing the grand scheme common to the present and the past ages on which organized beings have been created.”
Two. Compared to his contemporaries, Darwin was quite politically progressive…
“…it is impossible to doubt but that the extreme liberalism of these countries must ultimately lead to good results. The very general toleration of foreign religions, the regard paid to the means of education, the freedom of the press, the facilities offered to all foreigners and especially, as I am bound to add, to everyone professing the humblest pretensions to science, should be recollected with gratitude by those who have visited Spanish South America.”
And Three. Darwin was undeniably a staunch opponent of slavery. His abolitionist assertions are reiterated over and over again throughout Voyage of the Beagle—so much so that I had a hard time choosing just one example…
“On the 19th of August we finally left the shores of Brazil. I thank God, I shall never again visit a slave-country. To this day, if I hear a distant scream, it recalls with painful vividness my feelings, when passing a house near Pernambuco, I heard the most pitiable moans, and could not but suspect that some poor slave was being tortured, yet knew that I was as powerless as a child even to remonstrate.”
To call Charles Darwin a “naturalist” is a time-saving summation—otherwise every biographer would have to write: biologist, geologist, anthropologist, biochemist, ecologist, paleontologist, botanist, zoologist, climatologist, ichthyologist, volcanologist, ornithologist, ethnologist, primatologist, etc., etc., etc.. All of these vocations are abundantly evident here; making this one of the best reads in history for science nerds (like me!).
Rather than digressing into some long winded synopsis of a book that has been Goodreads reviewed over 500 times, I am going to limit myself to just three elements that caught my attention (you’re welcome):
One. Even though Darwin’s theory of natural selection was far from being fully formulated and articulated (see On the Origin of Species, 1859), the fingerprints of species mutability (read: Evolution) are all over this book. For example:
“…Chionis alba [the snowy sheathbill] is an inhabitant of the Antarctic regions. It feeds on seaweed and shells on the tidal rocks. Although not webfooted, from some unaccountable habit it is frequently met with far out at sea. This small family of birds is one of those which, from its varied relations to other families, although at present offering only difficulties to the systematic naturalist, ultimately may assist in revealing the grand scheme common to the present and the past ages on which organized beings have been created.”
Two. Compared to his contemporaries, Darwin was quite politically progressive…
“…it is impossible to doubt but that the extreme liberalism of these countries must ultimately lead to good results. The very general toleration of foreign religions, the regard paid to the means of education, the freedom of the press, the facilities offered to all foreigners and especially, as I am bound to add, to everyone professing the humblest pretensions to science, should be recollected with gratitude by those who have visited Spanish South America.”
And Three. Darwin was undeniably a staunch opponent of slavery. His abolitionist assertions are reiterated over and over again throughout Voyage of the Beagle—so much so that I had a hard time choosing just one example…
“On the 19th of August we finally left the shores of Brazil. I thank God, I shall never again visit a slave-country. To this day, if I hear a distant scream, it recalls with painful vividness my feelings, when passing a house near Pernambuco, I heard the most pitiable moans, and could not but suspect that some poor slave was being tortured, yet knew that I was as powerless as a child even to remonstrate.”
To call Charles Darwin a “naturalist” is a time-saving summation—otherwise every biographer would have to write: biologist, geologist, anthropologist, biochemist, ecologist, paleontologist, botanist, zoologist, climatologist, ichthyologist, volcanologist, ornithologist, ethnologist, primatologist, etc., etc., etc.. All of these vocations are abundantly evident here; making this one of the best reads in history for science nerds (like me!).
carolann331's review against another edition
5.0
What a fascinating book! I listened to the Audible version wonderfully narrated by Barnaby Edwards. It felt very personal - like joining Darwin near the fireplace after dinner each evening to listen to his adventures and discoveries. As a result, I have gained great appreciation for Darwin's efforts and contributions.
In the past, I have always associated his name with the theory of evolution but there is so much more! I am astounded that he was only in his early twenties on this voyage and had already developed high levels of observation, critical thinking, and detailed writing. I appreciated and enjoyed his thought processes about what he observed, how he contrasted and compared it with other locations, and how he reasoned the mechanisms and concepts that produced whatever he was observing, be it geology, ecology, biology, geography, sociology, and even astronomy. The depth of his understanding of the sciences was amazing. I especially loved the language he used including words like "manufactories" and "geologizing". His experiences with Gauchos and the Mules with their Madrinas were fun, too. I even pulled out my atlas to visualize and follow along the journey.
His closing statements are definitely words of wisdom to live by. His interest in the world drove his education, which was NOT spoon fed to him. While he did obtain some formal education, the majority of his education came from his own curiosity and delving into research of his own and that of others. He understood how all the systems are linked and affect each other over time.
As I see it, his curiosity and interest drove his desire to understand the world around him. His interest led to focused observation, which led to research and critical thinking, which resulted in an individual with utmost appreciation and respect for our wondrous earth and all living things upon it.
Definitely one of my all-time favorites. I hope you'll give it a chance and that you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
In the past, I have always associated his name with the theory of evolution but there is so much more! I am astounded that he was only in his early twenties on this voyage and had already developed high levels of observation, critical thinking, and detailed writing. I appreciated and enjoyed his thought processes about what he observed, how he contrasted and compared it with other locations, and how he reasoned the mechanisms and concepts that produced whatever he was observing, be it geology, ecology, biology, geography, sociology, and even astronomy. The depth of his understanding of the sciences was amazing. I especially loved the language he used including words like "manufactories" and "geologizing". His experiences with Gauchos and the Mules with their Madrinas were fun, too. I even pulled out my atlas to visualize and follow along the journey.
His closing statements are definitely words of wisdom to live by. His interest in the world drove his education, which was NOT spoon fed to him. While he did obtain some formal education, the majority of his education came from his own curiosity and delving into research of his own and that of others. He understood how all the systems are linked and affect each other over time.
As I see it, his curiosity and interest drove his desire to understand the world around him. His interest led to focused observation, which led to research and critical thinking, which resulted in an individual with utmost appreciation and respect for our wondrous earth and all living things upon it.
Definitely one of my all-time favorites. I hope you'll give it a chance and that you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
jjmclellan's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes dry, yet fascinating glimpse into the world as it was in the 1830's. Darwin spent nearly 5 years circumnavigating the world as the naturalist companion to the captain of the good ship Beagle.
In addition to his comments about the geology and biology of the areas he visits, you learn about the social conditions as well. He discusses slavery which England had finally banned not many years before but which he comes into direct contact with while exploring areas of South America. He compares the cultures of various peoples he encounters, the Tierra Del Fuegans, Australian aborigines, Tahitian islanders, gauchos, Chileans, etc. He discusses the war of extermination of the 'Wild' Indians at the time in South America.
It's surprising to find out that the scientists of that time were very much aware that the earth's surface had been undergoing massive uplifting and settling of the land masses and uses this to help explain many of the geological features he encounters, including his theory about the formation of atolls in the south pacific which I found surprising and interesting.
In addition to his comments about the geology and biology of the areas he visits, you learn about the social conditions as well. He discusses slavery which England had finally banned not many years before but which he comes into direct contact with while exploring areas of South America. He compares the cultures of various peoples he encounters, the Tierra Del Fuegans, Australian aborigines, Tahitian islanders, gauchos, Chileans, etc. He discusses the war of extermination of the 'Wild' Indians at the time in South America.
It's surprising to find out that the scientists of that time were very much aware that the earth's surface had been undergoing massive uplifting and settling of the land masses and uses this to help explain many of the geological features he encounters, including his theory about the formation of atolls in the south pacific which I found surprising and interesting.
rubenbos's review against another edition
5.0
Read this book during a trip in South America, including Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and the Galapagos. Which are areas that are intensively covered in Darwin's diary. Very interesting to read how different it was in the 1830's to travel this area. In terms of travel time, nature, inhabitants. But at the same time recognizable too. Recommended.
ianl1963's review against another edition
4.0
Marvelous listen, amazing to go away for five years studying various subjects around the world; in the field/sea.
My ignorance, did not know anything about his work in geology.
Good brain and decent man it would appear.
PS. All this evolution and we've ended up with mankind at the top of the pile? :-(
My ignorance, did not know anything about his work in geology.
Good brain and decent man it would appear.
PS. All this evolution and we've ended up with mankind at the top of the pile? :-(
yellowbeard's review against another edition
5.0
So sad to have come to the end of my voyage aboard the Beagle (my weekly commute) in which I've shared my cabin with the magnificent Darwin.
These are the abridged notes of Darwin's journal which he wrote during his five-year excursion as Captain Fitzroy's companion aboard the Beagle. Every stop brings a tale of the natural history, the strange and enchanting environments, the entanglements with the local populations and the impressions that these scenes made upon the young Darwin. Of course he hadn't developed his theories at this point but you can see the pennies poised to drop and all the evidence he collates as he goes is deliciously spread out on the table for us to see.
The is a real journey of adventure. Darwin brings to life his experiences both on board the 'wonderful little ship' as he puts it, and those he takes on shore and one can't help but imagine what an intrepid voyage it must have been. I really enjoyed the way he gathers information, and with a clearly quizzical mindset sets about gathering more before offering mere thoughts and suggestions and never jumping directly to conclusions. Clearly those all come in strides in the years later.
I'm really looking forward to reading his subsequent works.
Highly recommended.
These are the abridged notes of Darwin's journal which he wrote during his five-year excursion as Captain Fitzroy's companion aboard the Beagle. Every stop brings a tale of the natural history, the strange and enchanting environments, the entanglements with the local populations and the impressions that these scenes made upon the young Darwin. Of course he hadn't developed his theories at this point but you can see the pennies poised to drop and all the evidence he collates as he goes is deliciously spread out on the table for us to see.
The is a real journey of adventure. Darwin brings to life his experiences both on board the 'wonderful little ship' as he puts it, and those he takes on shore and one can't help but imagine what an intrepid voyage it must have been. I really enjoyed the way he gathers information, and with a clearly quizzical mindset sets about gathering more before offering mere thoughts and suggestions and never jumping directly to conclusions. Clearly those all come in strides in the years later.
I'm really looking forward to reading his subsequent works.
Highly recommended.
benburns's review against another edition
5.0
Yes, it's 500 pages and you have to wade through a lot of dry geology. But the little moments make it worthwhile -- it's like reading a Jules Verne travel adventure, but real. Darwin combines his incredible observational talent and extremely broad, deep knowledge of 1830s science (even though he's only in his 20s) to describe all sorts of marvelous details from his 5-year trip around the southern hemisphere.
Some favorite aspects:
- Marveling at crazy finds, coincidences, and epic vistas -- earthquakes, volcanoes, calving glaciers, huge fossils, atolls, bioluminescence, and lots of bizarre phenomena you still didn't know existed, 200 years later. Red snow! Rainbow mountains with high-elevation fossil seashells!
- Sharp cultural observations that rotate between reverent, wry, racist, dull, touching, and progressive even for today. And sometimes even sassy (my favorite). Detailed enough to capture the whole daily life of, say, an 1830s Argentinian cowboy and his lasso. It makes you really feel the enormity of time and space - only a fraction of human history separates you and that cowboy, but so much has changed.
- Wild stories of first and early contact with aboriginal populations
- Reading along as he thinks through the earliest hints of natural selection, evolution and extinction, plate tectonics, germ theory, and more. He's alive at a time when you could discover some huge part of science, by yourself, through careful observation -- just like I wanted to do as a kid -- and you get to watch his gears turn. He doesn't quite have a eureka moment on any of these, but gets really close.
- Darwin just knowing so much more about how nature works than the people he meets do.
- Occasional poetic stretches where he gets worked up about, say, the eternal balance of power between the waves and coral, or the competing advantages of living among tropical evergreens vs. getting to see spring and fall leaves in England. Or how every young naturalist should take a traveling adventure.
- Unintentionally funny moments like a missionary lasting just one week with natives, or Darwin riding a tortoise ("I frequently got on their backs, and then giving a few raps on the hinder part of their shells, they would rise up and walk away; but I found it very difficult to keep my balance").
If you're thinking of reading this:
1. Pair with Google Maps! Following along on satellite maps and seeing the views he describes - and how things have changed since the 1830s - was so cool.
2. Consider just reading a selection of a few of the best chapters (ordered here by priority - chronological order doesn't matter). The whole thing is free online.
- Chapter 10, Tierra del Fuego
- Chapter 15, Passage of the Cordillera
- Chapter 17, Galapagos Archipelago
- Chapter 8, Banda Oriental and Patagonia
Some favorite aspects:
- Marveling at crazy finds, coincidences, and epic vistas -- earthquakes, volcanoes, calving glaciers, huge fossils, atolls, bioluminescence, and lots of bizarre phenomena you still didn't know existed, 200 years later. Red snow! Rainbow mountains with high-elevation fossil seashells!
- Sharp cultural observations that rotate between reverent, wry, racist, dull, touching, and progressive even for today. And sometimes even sassy (my favorite). Detailed enough to capture the whole daily life of, say, an 1830s Argentinian cowboy and his lasso. It makes you really feel the enormity of time and space - only a fraction of human history separates you and that cowboy, but so much has changed.
- Wild stories of first and early contact with aboriginal populations
- Reading along as he thinks through the earliest hints of natural selection, evolution and extinction, plate tectonics, germ theory, and more. He's alive at a time when you could discover some huge part of science, by yourself, through careful observation -- just like I wanted to do as a kid -- and you get to watch his gears turn. He doesn't quite have a eureka moment on any of these, but gets really close.
- Darwin just knowing so much more about how nature works than the people he meets do.
- Occasional poetic stretches where he gets worked up about, say, the eternal balance of power between the waves and coral, or the competing advantages of living among tropical evergreens vs. getting to see spring and fall leaves in England. Or how every young naturalist should take a traveling adventure.
- Unintentionally funny moments like a missionary lasting just one week with natives, or Darwin riding a tortoise ("I frequently got on their backs, and then giving a few raps on the hinder part of their shells, they would rise up and walk away; but I found it very difficult to keep my balance").
If you're thinking of reading this:
1. Pair with Google Maps! Following along on satellite maps and seeing the views he describes - and how things have changed since the 1830s - was so cool.
2. Consider just reading a selection of a few of the best chapters (ordered here by priority - chronological order doesn't matter). The whole thing is free online.
- Chapter 10, Tierra del Fuego
- Chapter 15, Passage of the Cordillera
- Chapter 17, Galapagos Archipelago
- Chapter 8, Banda Oriental and Patagonia
stormhawk's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Journal from Darwin's five-year trip on the Beagle to study natural history. As a typical journal, there was some good stuff and dry stuff. Overall I enjoyed picking away at it over several months. I especially liked his social commentary and some religious comments here and there. Given modern-day science would he still be an evolutionist? Not sure he would be.