A review by wjacksonata
The Adventures of Alexander Von Humboldt by Andrea Wulf

5.0

Stunningly illustrated book that recounts Humboldt's adventures and explorations through South America and Mexico. Incredible detail, great use of primary sources, and jam-packed full of botanic and geologic nerdery. Aside from the beautiful art, the story is fascinating. Humboldt and his companions hiked, climbed, trudged, floated, fell, and crawled through and over more volcanoes, jungle, rivers, mountains, and plains than any explorer I have read about to date. Humboldt also seemed to have a more progressive attitude - decrying slavery, colonialism, and environmental destruction well ahead of his time.