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Odyssey: Young Charles Darwin, The Beagle, and The Voyage that Changed the World
An illuminating and lively narrative of Charles Darwin’s formative years and his adventurous voyage aboard the H.M.S. Beagle.
Winner of the Georgia Author of the Year Award for Biography/Memoir
The voyage of the Beagle has been by far the most important event in my life and has determined my whole career.— Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin—alongside Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein—ranks among the world's most famous scientists. In popular imagination, he peers at us from behind a bushy white Old Testament beard. This image of Darwin the Sage, however, crowds out the vital younger man whose curiosities, risk-taking, and travels aboard HMS Beagle would shape his later theories and served as the foundation of his scientific breakthroughs.
Though storied, the Beagle 's voyage is frequently misunderstood, its mission and geographical breadth unacknowledged. The voyage's activities associated with South America—particularly its stop in the Galapagos archipelago, off Ecuador’s coast—eclipse the fact that the Beagle , sailing in Atlantic, Pacific and Indian ocean waters, also circumnavigated the globe.
Mere happenstance placed Darwin aboard the Beagle —an invitation to sail as a conversation companion on natural-history topics for the ship's depression-prone captain. Darwin was only twenty-two years old, an unproven, unknown, aspiring geologist when the ship embarked on what stretched into its five-year voyage. Moreover, conducting marine surveys of distance ports and coasts, the Beagle 's purposes were only inadvertently scientific. And with no formal shipboard duties or rank, Darwin, after arranging to meet the Beagle at another port, often left the ship to conduct overland excursions.
Those outings, lasting weeks, even months, took him across mountains, pampas, rainforests, and deserts. An expert horseman and marksman, he won the admiration of gauchos he encountered along the way. Yet another rarely acknowledged aspect of Darwin's Beagle travels, he also visited, often lingered in, cities—including Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santiago, Lima, Sydney, and Cape Town; and left colorful, often sharply opinionated, descriptions of them and his interactions with their residents. In the end, Darwin spent three-fifths of his five-year "voyage" on land—three years and three months on terra firma versus a total 533 days on water.
Acclaimed historian Tom Chaffin reveals young Darwin in all his complexities—the brashness that came from his privileged background, the Faustian bargain he made with Argentina's notorious caudillo Juan Manuel de Rosas, his abhorrence of slavery, and his ambition to carve himself a place amongst his era's celebrated travelers and intellectual giants. Drawing on a rich array of sources— in a telling of an epic story that surpasses in breadth and intimacy the naturalist's own Voyage of the Beagle —Chaffin brings Darwin's odyssey to vivid life.
Winner of the Georgia Author of the Year Award for Biography/Memoir
The voyage of the Beagle has been by far the most important event in my life and has determined my whole career.— Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin—alongside Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein—ranks among the world's most famous scientists. In popular imagination, he peers at us from behind a bushy white Old Testament beard. This image of Darwin the Sage, however, crowds out the vital younger man whose curiosities, risk-taking, and travels aboard HMS Beagle would shape his later theories and served as the foundation of his scientific breakthroughs.
Though storied, the Beagle 's voyage is frequently misunderstood, its mission and geographical breadth unacknowledged. The voyage's activities associated with South America—particularly its stop in the Galapagos archipelago, off Ecuador’s coast—eclipse the fact that the Beagle , sailing in Atlantic, Pacific and Indian ocean waters, also circumnavigated the globe.
Mere happenstance placed Darwin aboard the Beagle —an invitation to sail as a conversation companion on natural-history topics for the ship's depression-prone captain. Darwin was only twenty-two years old, an unproven, unknown, aspiring geologist when the ship embarked on what stretched into its five-year voyage. Moreover, conducting marine surveys of distance ports and coasts, the Beagle 's purposes were only inadvertently scientific. And with no formal shipboard duties or rank, Darwin, after arranging to meet the Beagle at another port, often left the ship to conduct overland excursions.
Those outings, lasting weeks, even months, took him across mountains, pampas, rainforests, and deserts. An expert horseman and marksman, he won the admiration of gauchos he encountered along the way. Yet another rarely acknowledged aspect of Darwin's Beagle travels, he also visited, often lingered in, cities—including Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santiago, Lima, Sydney, and Cape Town; and left colorful, often sharply opinionated, descriptions of them and his interactions with their residents. In the end, Darwin spent three-fifths of his five-year "voyage" on land—three years and three months on terra firma versus a total 533 days on water.
Acclaimed historian Tom Chaffin reveals young Darwin in all his complexities—the brashness that came from his privileged background, the Faustian bargain he made with Argentina's notorious caudillo Juan Manuel de Rosas, his abhorrence of slavery, and his ambition to carve himself a place amongst his era's celebrated travelers and intellectual giants. Drawing on a rich array of sources— in a telling of an epic story that surpasses in breadth and intimacy the naturalist's own Voyage of the Beagle —Chaffin brings Darwin's odyssey to vivid life.
362 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2022
18 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Tom Chaffin
9 books13 followersHistorian Tom Chaffin is the author, most recently, of “Odyssey: Young Charles Darwin, The Beagle, and The Voyage that Changed the World" (Feb. 2022, Pegasus). The work, focused on the naturalist's five years of global travel aboard HMS Beagle, chronicles the the formative experiences of his youth.
Chaffin’s earlier books include “Revolutionary Brothers: Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, and the Friendship that Helped Forge Two Nations," "Pathfinder: John Charles Frémont and the Course of American Empire," "Sea of Gray: The Around-The-World Odyssey of the Confederate Raider Shenandoah," and "Giant’s Causeway: Frederick Douglass’s Irish Odyssey and the Making of an American Visionary."
The author was was born and grew up in Atlanta and spent his early professional years in journalism, living in, among other places, Savannah, New York City, San Francisco, and Paris. Chaffin has taught U.S. history and writing at various universities. He holds a B.A. in English from Georgia State University, an M.A. in American Studies from New York University, and a Ph.D. in history from Emory University. His articles, reviews and essays have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Time, American Scholar, Harper’s, The Nation, the Oxford American, and other publications. He was a frequent contributor to the New York Times‘ acclaimed “Disunion” series on the American Civil War. In 2012, he was a Fulbright fellow in Ireland.
Chaffin lives in Atlanta.
Chaffin’s earlier books include “Revolutionary Brothers: Thomas Jefferson, the Marquis de Lafayette, and the Friendship that Helped Forge Two Nations," "Pathfinder: John Charles Frémont and the Course of American Empire," "Sea of Gray: The Around-The-World Odyssey of the Confederate Raider Shenandoah," and "Giant’s Causeway: Frederick Douglass’s Irish Odyssey and the Making of an American Visionary."
The author was was born and grew up in Atlanta and spent his early professional years in journalism, living in, among other places, Savannah, New York City, San Francisco, and Paris. Chaffin has taught U.S. history and writing at various universities. He holds a B.A. in English from Georgia State University, an M.A. in American Studies from New York University, and a Ph.D. in history from Emory University. His articles, reviews and essays have appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Time, American Scholar, Harper’s, The Nation, the Oxford American, and other publications. He was a frequent contributor to the New York Times‘ acclaimed “Disunion” series on the American Civil War. In 2012, he was a Fulbright fellow in Ireland.
Chaffin lives in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 6, 2022
Not as an intresting read as I had thought and was rather bored at some parts. But glad I gave it a chance
February 10, 2022
Not Homer, but a detailed description of Charles Darwin's Beagle voyage and what he got out of it, in a biographical sandwich - we get a short life of Darwin up to the Beagle, lengthy coverage of the voyage, and then a short summary of the rest of Darwin's life.
As a reader I am somewhat conflicted by this book. I recognise it as providing an in-depth look at exactly what happened on the voyage and how it changed Darwin's view of the world. As such it is very impressive and probably valuable to those with an interest in the fine detail of Darwin. But if I'm honest, a lot of it is rather dull. The reality is that while the famous voyage did sow seeds that would later blossom, very little of what happened on the voyage itself was of scientific interest, and much of what occurred was repetitive, while Tom Chaffin's enthusiasm for detail can be a little wearing.
However, I must stress how valuable the book is to get a complete picture of what fed into Darwin's understanding of the world. I have read several books on Darwin, but felt I knew him significantly better after this one. Inevitably with a historical character, some of this was gratifying - Darwin's horror of slavery, for example - other parts less so, with the inevitable biases of the time.
I also found there were aspects of the voyage that really hadn't got through to my consciousness before. One was the significance of the three Fuegians effectively kidnapped on FitzRoy's earlier voyage and returned on this Beagle outing with mixed success. The other was the lack of significance for Darwin of the Galapagos at the time - the importance of the islands in underlining the theory of evolution very much came with hindsight.
I'm glad I read the book, then, and have to recommend it - but I can't say I particularly enjoyed the experience.
As a reader I am somewhat conflicted by this book. I recognise it as providing an in-depth look at exactly what happened on the voyage and how it changed Darwin's view of the world. As such it is very impressive and probably valuable to those with an interest in the fine detail of Darwin. But if I'm honest, a lot of it is rather dull. The reality is that while the famous voyage did sow seeds that would later blossom, very little of what happened on the voyage itself was of scientific interest, and much of what occurred was repetitive, while Tom Chaffin's enthusiasm for detail can be a little wearing.
However, I must stress how valuable the book is to get a complete picture of what fed into Darwin's understanding of the world. I have read several books on Darwin, but felt I knew him significantly better after this one. Inevitably with a historical character, some of this was gratifying - Darwin's horror of slavery, for example - other parts less so, with the inevitable biases of the time.
I also found there were aspects of the voyage that really hadn't got through to my consciousness before. One was the significance of the three Fuegians effectively kidnapped on FitzRoy's earlier voyage and returned on this Beagle outing with mixed success. The other was the lack of significance for Darwin of the Galapagos at the time - the importance of the islands in underlining the theory of evolution very much came with hindsight.
I'm glad I read the book, then, and have to recommend it - but I can't say I particularly enjoyed the experience.
July 17, 2024
Chyba każdy człowiek kojarzy Darwina. Tak, tak, tego od teorii ewolucji, starszy pan z białą brodą. No, ale teoria ewolucji nie wzięła się znikąd, broda zresztą też. Od czego się w takim razie zaczęło? Od tego, że młodziutki Karol spontanicznie wyruszył w pięcioletnią podróż dookoła świata statkiem (największą ciekawostką jest to, że przy okazji miał chorobę morską xd) 🌍
W ciągu tych pięciu lat odwiedził mnóstwo miejsc, część czasu spędził na podróżowaniu po lądzie (na szczęście dla jego żołądka), wspinaniu się na góry i zbieraniu nieznanych i znanych okazów. I chociaż najbardziej kojarzymy Darwina z wyspami Galapagos, ten odwiedził tylko 4 z 19 wysp, a na początku nawet nie zorientował się, że na różnych wyspach żyją różne gatunki żółwi (potem zresztą też nie, uświadomił go o tym Nicholas Lawson) 🌎
Co ciekawe Darwin prawie nie załapał się na podróż przez... kształt swojego nosa 🌍
To kolejna biografia/książka podróżnicza tego wydawnictwa, która w ostatnim czasie podbiła moje serce. Czytanie o życiu podróżników to moje nowe odkrycie i proszę o więcej 🌍
Nigdy nawet nie podejrzewałam, że Darwin podczas wyprawy był taki młodziutki (młodszy nawet ode mnie!) i niedoświadczony, no i ta choroba morska, która nieodppuszczała go przez całą wyprawę 🌎
Bardzo podoba mi się forma, w której książka została napisana - oprócz opisów życia, w tekście znalazło się mnóstwo cytatów czy fragmentów listów i dzienników. Dodatkowo dostajemy ilustracje i zdjęcia, no i mapkę, która naprawdę pomaga w zorientowaniu się, gdzie aktualnie znajduje się wyprawa 🌍
Jak już wspomniałam autor podczas pisania korzystał z korespondencji podróżnika, a także jego dzienników, co dokładnie udokumentował w przypisach 🌎
Ode mnie wielka polecajka! Zupełnie zmieniłam swoje wyobrażenie o Darwinie i uwielbiam sam fakt, że przeżył 5 lat na statku z chorobą morską 🌍
W ciągu tych pięciu lat odwiedził mnóstwo miejsc, część czasu spędził na podróżowaniu po lądzie (na szczęście dla jego żołądka), wspinaniu się na góry i zbieraniu nieznanych i znanych okazów. I chociaż najbardziej kojarzymy Darwina z wyspami Galapagos, ten odwiedził tylko 4 z 19 wysp, a na początku nawet nie zorientował się, że na różnych wyspach żyją różne gatunki żółwi (potem zresztą też nie, uświadomił go o tym Nicholas Lawson) 🌎
Co ciekawe Darwin prawie nie załapał się na podróż przez... kształt swojego nosa 🌍
To kolejna biografia/książka podróżnicza tego wydawnictwa, która w ostatnim czasie podbiła moje serce. Czytanie o życiu podróżników to moje nowe odkrycie i proszę o więcej 🌍
Nigdy nawet nie podejrzewałam, że Darwin podczas wyprawy był taki młodziutki (młodszy nawet ode mnie!) i niedoświadczony, no i ta choroba morska, która nieodppuszczała go przez całą wyprawę 🌎
Bardzo podoba mi się forma, w której książka została napisana - oprócz opisów życia, w tekście znalazło się mnóstwo cytatów czy fragmentów listów i dzienników. Dodatkowo dostajemy ilustracje i zdjęcia, no i mapkę, która naprawdę pomaga w zorientowaniu się, gdzie aktualnie znajduje się wyprawa 🌍
Jak już wspomniałam autor podczas pisania korzystał z korespondencji podróżnika, a także jego dzienników, co dokładnie udokumentował w przypisach 🌎
Ode mnie wielka polecajka! Zupełnie zmieniłam swoje wyobrażenie o Darwinie i uwielbiam sam fakt, że przeżył 5 lat na statku z chorobą morską 🌍
August 4, 2024
Karol Darwin to z pewnością jeden z najsłynniejszych naukowców w historii. W naszych głowach jawi się jako naukowiec związany z teorią ewolucji, ale często zapominamy, że nie powstałaby ona, gdyby nie jego pięcioletnia podróż na HMS Beagle.
Dlatego też Tom Chaffin przedstawia nam losy młodego Darwina przemierzającego oceany i odwiedzającego kontynenty, gdzie badał i katalogował nieznane gatunki zwierząt oraz roślin, które z czasem pozwoliły mu stworzyć przełomową teorię. Jednakże jego kilkuletnia podróż nie była tylko i wyłącznie naukową przygodą, ale także pokazała jak zmieniała się perspektywa naukowca widzącego różne systemy społeczne, traktowanie ludzi przez uprzywilejowanych rządzących i różnice kulturowe - choć mamy również możliwość, zauważyć jak wyższe strefy były ślepe na to, co działo się dookoła nich.
Książka jest obszerna, gdyż w głównej mierze bazuje na osobistych notatkach Darwina, jego korespondencji z bliskimi oraz wydarzeniami z przeszłości, które miały wpływ na wyprawę HMS Beagle. Autor przedstawia nam czyste fakty i nie ingeruje w nie, przez co cała historia jest rzetelna i nieprzekłamana - nie wybiela również charakterów podróżnych, przez co możemy zderzyć się z niemoralnym podejściem niektórych postaci historycznych, które możemy poznać podczas śledzenia losów Darwina. Dodatkowo książka zawiera mapki oraz zdjęcia, które obrazują poszczególne wydarzenia - choć przyznam, że wolałabym je rozmieszczone w konkretnych rozdziałach, gdyż czytelnik od razu mógłby połączyć treść z danym obrazem/rysunkiem.
Jako biolog, najbardziej wyczekiwałam rozdziałów skupionych wokół odkryć Darwina i jego podróży na Galapagos - i choć przyznam, że czuję nieco niedosyt, to jednocześnie nie mogę się dziwić, że było tam tego trochę mało. Mimo wszystko nawet sam naukowiec podczas swej podróży nie był jeszcze odkrywcą ewolucji, ale i tak liczyłam na nieco bardziej rozbudowany opis jego przeżyć z tamtego miejsca. Aczkolwiek trzeba przyznać, że ta książka to w głównej mierze opowieść Darwina, który poznaje świat i z każdym nowym odkrytym lądem poznaje prawdę nie tylko na tematy przyrodnicze, ale też moralne, ludzkie i te związane z chęcią zdobywania. Sam czytelnik może też zobaczyć jak wyglądało spojrzenie na świat oczami ludzi z tamtych czasów i jak diametralnie się różni od naszego. Chociaż czy na pewno...?
Osoby uwielbiające historię z pewnością znajdą w tej książce źródło nowej wiedzy, a zwykli czytelniczy poznają niezwykłą historię Darwina, która z pewnością mocno wpłynęła na jego naukowe życie i być może bez niej... Nasz świat wyglądałby nieco inaczej.
Dlatego też Tom Chaffin przedstawia nam losy młodego Darwina przemierzającego oceany i odwiedzającego kontynenty, gdzie badał i katalogował nieznane gatunki zwierząt oraz roślin, które z czasem pozwoliły mu stworzyć przełomową teorię. Jednakże jego kilkuletnia podróż nie była tylko i wyłącznie naukową przygodą, ale także pokazała jak zmieniała się perspektywa naukowca widzącego różne systemy społeczne, traktowanie ludzi przez uprzywilejowanych rządzących i różnice kulturowe - choć mamy również możliwość, zauważyć jak wyższe strefy były ślepe na to, co działo się dookoła nich.
Książka jest obszerna, gdyż w głównej mierze bazuje na osobistych notatkach Darwina, jego korespondencji z bliskimi oraz wydarzeniami z przeszłości, które miały wpływ na wyprawę HMS Beagle. Autor przedstawia nam czyste fakty i nie ingeruje w nie, przez co cała historia jest rzetelna i nieprzekłamana - nie wybiela również charakterów podróżnych, przez co możemy zderzyć się z niemoralnym podejściem niektórych postaci historycznych, które możemy poznać podczas śledzenia losów Darwina. Dodatkowo książka zawiera mapki oraz zdjęcia, które obrazują poszczególne wydarzenia - choć przyznam, że wolałabym je rozmieszczone w konkretnych rozdziałach, gdyż czytelnik od razu mógłby połączyć treść z danym obrazem/rysunkiem.
Jako biolog, najbardziej wyczekiwałam rozdziałów skupionych wokół odkryć Darwina i jego podróży na Galapagos - i choć przyznam, że czuję nieco niedosyt, to jednocześnie nie mogę się dziwić, że było tam tego trochę mało. Mimo wszystko nawet sam naukowiec podczas swej podróży nie był jeszcze odkrywcą ewolucji, ale i tak liczyłam na nieco bardziej rozbudowany opis jego przeżyć z tamtego miejsca. Aczkolwiek trzeba przyznać, że ta książka to w głównej mierze opowieść Darwina, który poznaje świat i z każdym nowym odkrytym lądem poznaje prawdę nie tylko na tematy przyrodnicze, ale też moralne, ludzkie i te związane z chęcią zdobywania. Sam czytelnik może też zobaczyć jak wyglądało spojrzenie na świat oczami ludzi z tamtych czasów i jak diametralnie się różni od naszego. Chociaż czy na pewno...?
Osoby uwielbiające historię z pewnością znajdą w tej książce źródło nowej wiedzy, a zwykli czytelniczy poznają niezwykłą historię Darwina, która z pewnością mocno wpłynęła na jego naukowe życie i być może bez niej... Nasz świat wyglądałby nieco inaczej.
February 17, 2022
I was pretty sure I knew the basics about Charles Darwin. He was a naturalist who took a trip on the H.M.S. Beagle to the Galapagos islands, studied a lot of birds there, and came up with his theory of evolution. But as Tom Chaffin shows in his fascinating new book, “Odyssey,” that's not really what happened at all. Yes, Darwin did visit the Galapagos, but he spent about a month there out of a five-year voyage, and he didn't develop his theory of evolution for many years.
But, as Chaffin shows in great detail, what he DID have was a great adventure, most of it on land, roaming across much of South America, all the way to the tip of Tierra del Fuego. It's that adventure Chaffin captures so skillfully, using Darwin's journals and the letters he wrote to many friends during his voyage.
Darwin wasn't even really a naturalist, or at least, that was not why he was on board the Beagle. The ship's captain had suffered from loneliness and depression on a previous trip and Darwin was invited aboard the Beagle more as an intelligent conversationalist who shared an interest in nature, rather than as a scientist.
But Darwin's scientific skills developed rapidly. He was an incessant collector of samples, both of living species and fossils and he also made many observations of the geology of the areas he visited. This was to be Darwin’s only field work and what he found and studied shaped his views for the rest of his life.
The trip also led Darwin to philosophical speculations. His encounters with the isolated Fuegians, who lived in a barren landscape in primitive conditions, led him to conclude that all members of the human race were inter-connected. He saw slavery firsthand, and detested it, and also had to navigate the often treacherous currents of revolutionary South America, where strife was often based on individuals and not any political ideology.
All-in-all, it was the trip of a lifetime, and Chaffin captures it well. “Odyssey" is the story of an implausible journey that shaped the understanding of one of the modern world's most important thinkers. It’s well worth a read.
But, as Chaffin shows in great detail, what he DID have was a great adventure, most of it on land, roaming across much of South America, all the way to the tip of Tierra del Fuego. It's that adventure Chaffin captures so skillfully, using Darwin's journals and the letters he wrote to many friends during his voyage.
Darwin wasn't even really a naturalist, or at least, that was not why he was on board the Beagle. The ship's captain had suffered from loneliness and depression on a previous trip and Darwin was invited aboard the Beagle more as an intelligent conversationalist who shared an interest in nature, rather than as a scientist.
But Darwin's scientific skills developed rapidly. He was an incessant collector of samples, both of living species and fossils and he also made many observations of the geology of the areas he visited. This was to be Darwin’s only field work and what he found and studied shaped his views for the rest of his life.
The trip also led Darwin to philosophical speculations. His encounters with the isolated Fuegians, who lived in a barren landscape in primitive conditions, led him to conclude that all members of the human race were inter-connected. He saw slavery firsthand, and detested it, and also had to navigate the often treacherous currents of revolutionary South America, where strife was often based on individuals and not any political ideology.
All-in-all, it was the trip of a lifetime, and Chaffin captures it well. “Odyssey" is the story of an implausible journey that shaped the understanding of one of the modern world's most important thinkers. It’s well worth a read.
June 24, 2024
Chaffin provides a well referenced description of Darwin’s voyage on the H.M.S. Beagle. Also included are descriptions of Darwin’s early life as well that following the five year voyage itself.
For many people, including myself, the theory of evolution of species was thought to be grounded in an extensive observation of the flora and fauna of the Galápagos Islands. In reality Darwin spent about one month exploring the Galápagos Islands out of the five year voyage. In fact he spent far more time exploring the coastal and nearby inland areas of the southern portion of South America. Darwin, in addition to the South American areas and the Galapagos, made excursions along the coasts and inland areas of Tahiti, Austrailian main land, Tasmania, and islands in the Indian Ocean. It is noted by Chaffin that Darwin spent approximately three and a half years on land observing and collecting fossils and a multitude of examples of birds, animals, and vegetation encountered. He also seemed to have had an obsession of climbing to the summit of whatever was the highest peak in the area where he found himself.
Chaffin has included a fair amount of detail regarding life, both onboard the Beagle and of the time on land. This makes for an interesting look at every day life as opposed to a narrative focused strictly on the scientific observations. It should be revealing to most readers that the voyage of the Beagle was not a “scientific” voyage. Indeed, the primary purpose was to expand and improve the navigational information on ports and routes associated with England’s commercial shipping industry. Darwin was initially granted passage and was to serve as an intellectual conversation companion to Robert FitzRoy, the captain of the Beagle.
Other reviewers have expressed their opinions on the merit of Chaffin’s book. Some found it to be boring and repetitive while others found it to be a fascinating read. I am of the opinion that it is an interesting, if not a facinating, account of the voyage.
For many people, including myself, the theory of evolution of species was thought to be grounded in an extensive observation of the flora and fauna of the Galápagos Islands. In reality Darwin spent about one month exploring the Galápagos Islands out of the five year voyage. In fact he spent far more time exploring the coastal and nearby inland areas of the southern portion of South America. Darwin, in addition to the South American areas and the Galapagos, made excursions along the coasts and inland areas of Tahiti, Austrailian main land, Tasmania, and islands in the Indian Ocean. It is noted by Chaffin that Darwin spent approximately three and a half years on land observing and collecting fossils and a multitude of examples of birds, animals, and vegetation encountered. He also seemed to have had an obsession of climbing to the summit of whatever was the highest peak in the area where he found himself.
Chaffin has included a fair amount of detail regarding life, both onboard the Beagle and of the time on land. This makes for an interesting look at every day life as opposed to a narrative focused strictly on the scientific observations. It should be revealing to most readers that the voyage of the Beagle was not a “scientific” voyage. Indeed, the primary purpose was to expand and improve the navigational information on ports and routes associated with England’s commercial shipping industry. Darwin was initially granted passage and was to serve as an intellectual conversation companion to Robert FitzRoy, the captain of the Beagle.
Other reviewers have expressed their opinions on the merit of Chaffin’s book. Some found it to be boring and repetitive while others found it to be a fascinating read. I am of the opinion that it is an interesting, if not a facinating, account of the voyage.
March 21, 2024
Tom Chaffin has written a marvelous account of Charles Darwin's 5-year voyage. He brings together a wide variety of sources (Darwin's journal & letters, FitzRoy's records, and other documentation) and has put together a fascinating narrative that details Darwin's journey.
Separated into six parts, Chaffin focuses on the journey. The first part is largely introductory and the second part provides details of Darwin's early life and education. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th parts take up the bulk of the narrative as we journey with Darwin on sea and land throughout the world. Chaffin quotes directly from sources to provide authenticity to the narrative. He also puts things in perspective by identifying modern names for places Darwin visited, explaining the economic and political circumstances to the areas Darwin visited. Chaffin also provides brief biographical sketches of individuals Darwin encountered and worked with. The final part of the book deals with major events in the immediate aftermath of his voyage.
Chaffin provides some historical commentary making sure readers know about gaps in the sources and speculates on likely people involved when not specifically mentioned. He put the Galapagos visit by Charles Darwin into perspective, clearly demonstrating that Darwin's adventures on the mainland of South America had a greater impact on his later thoughts that the brief visit to the islands.
From a historical perspective, this kind of documentation is incredible and it give us valuable insights into the voyage. For evolutionary biologists, it provides key details that allow us to see this aspiring naturalist grow into a prominent field biologist/geologist. Five years of collecting was enough to keep Darwin occupied for the rest of his life.
Anyone interested in an authentic account of Darwin's voyage will find this book fascinating and hard to put down. It is like going on the voyage with him all over again.
Separated into six parts, Chaffin focuses on the journey. The first part is largely introductory and the second part provides details of Darwin's early life and education. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th parts take up the bulk of the narrative as we journey with Darwin on sea and land throughout the world. Chaffin quotes directly from sources to provide authenticity to the narrative. He also puts things in perspective by identifying modern names for places Darwin visited, explaining the economic and political circumstances to the areas Darwin visited. Chaffin also provides brief biographical sketches of individuals Darwin encountered and worked with. The final part of the book deals with major events in the immediate aftermath of his voyage.
Chaffin provides some historical commentary making sure readers know about gaps in the sources and speculates on likely people involved when not specifically mentioned. He put the Galapagos visit by Charles Darwin into perspective, clearly demonstrating that Darwin's adventures on the mainland of South America had a greater impact on his later thoughts that the brief visit to the islands.
From a historical perspective, this kind of documentation is incredible and it give us valuable insights into the voyage. For evolutionary biologists, it provides key details that allow us to see this aspiring naturalist grow into a prominent field biologist/geologist. Five years of collecting was enough to keep Darwin occupied for the rest of his life.
Anyone interested in an authentic account of Darwin's voyage will find this book fascinating and hard to put down. It is like going on the voyage with him all over again.
January 4, 2025
Tom Chaffin wykazuje się umiejętnością łączenia szczegółowych badań historycznych z żywą narracją. Książka jest napisana w sposób przystępny, a jednocześnie bogaty w szczegóły, co sprawia, że jest atrakcyjna zarówno dla laików, jak i dla osób dobrze zaznajomionych z tematem. Starannie przedstawiony kontekst historyczny wyprawy, daje czytelnikowi pełny obraz epoki, w której żył Darwin. Trochę z przypadku, trochę ze względu na zdolności i pozycję społeczną rodziny, Darwin trafia na HMS Beagle. Książka szczegółowo opisuje jej kluczowe momenty (odkrycia geologiczne w Ameryce Płd., obserwacje fauny i flory na Wyspach Galapagos, interakcje z rdzennymi mieszkańcami różnych regionów, postrzeganie kolonii brytyjskich i innych narodów), oddając zarówno ekscytację młodego przyrodnika, jak i trudności, z którymi musiał się mierzyć.
Darwin to człowiek pełen ciekawości świata, zafascynowany różnorodnością biologiczną i geologiczną napotykaną podczas podróży. Czytelnik ma okazję przyjrzeć się jego determinacji, zdolności do obserwacji, ewolucji jego myśli. Ta część książki jest szczególnie interesująca, ponieważ pokazuje proces naukowego myślenia i dochodzenia do przełomowych wniosków.
To nie tylko biografia jednego z najważniejszych naukowców w historii, ale także porywająca opowieść o odkrywaniu nieznanego świata. Książka jest doskonałym połączeniem wiedzy naukowej i literackiej narracji, co czyni ją lekturą wartą polecenia dla każdego, kto interesuje się historią nauki, podróżami i przyrodą. Chaffin z powodzeniem oddaje ducha epoki, pokazując nie tylko wielkość odkryć Darwina, ale również m.in. ambiwalentny stosunek do ludzi, wynikający z imperialnego postrzegania świata.
Darwin to człowiek pełen ciekawości świata, zafascynowany różnorodnością biologiczną i geologiczną napotykaną podczas podróży. Czytelnik ma okazję przyjrzeć się jego determinacji, zdolności do obserwacji, ewolucji jego myśli. Ta część książki jest szczególnie interesująca, ponieważ pokazuje proces naukowego myślenia i dochodzenia do przełomowych wniosków.
To nie tylko biografia jednego z najważniejszych naukowców w historii, ale także porywająca opowieść o odkrywaniu nieznanego świata. Książka jest doskonałym połączeniem wiedzy naukowej i literackiej narracji, co czyni ją lekturą wartą polecenia dla każdego, kto interesuje się historią nauki, podróżami i przyrodą. Chaffin z powodzeniem oddaje ducha epoki, pokazując nie tylko wielkość odkryć Darwina, ale również m.in. ambiwalentny stosunek do ludzi, wynikający z imperialnego postrzegania świata.
November 14, 2023
This is one of two recent books about Darwin and the Voyage of the Beagle--both are quite good, and one would have sufficed if it wasn't that I am going to the Galapagos and wanted to read any and all available material in order to get the most out of it (for me, going to the literature is a sure fire way to enhance my enjoyment, but it is not for everyone). The other has been previously reviewed by me, and this one, in contrast, makes Darwin out to be more of a heroic adventurer, and it relies more heavily on quotes, or Darwin's accounts, in his own words. I liked the other better, but if I had read this first, and only this, I would have been satisfied.
Despite their differences in style and voice, the two books feature the same stories. Darwin got his job because the Beagle’s Capt. Robert FitzRoy wanted a gentleman conversation partner to abate his suicidal tendencies. Before departure, Darwin had already been steered into geology; he trained in field skills with the geologist Adam Sedgwick; and was presented with Volume One of Charles Lyell’s “Principles of Geology” as a gift from Capt. FitzRoy.
Darwin was a keen observer and hardworking specimen-collector who experienced no eureka moment regarding natural selection during the voyage. Immediately upon his return, Darwin sought out the geologist Lyell as a mentor and champion. In time, Darwin would designate Lyell as the man to edit his radical theory in the case of Darwin’s unexpected death; it was also Lyell who secured a publisher for his magnum opus.
Despite their differences in style and voice, the two books feature the same stories. Darwin got his job because the Beagle’s Capt. Robert FitzRoy wanted a gentleman conversation partner to abate his suicidal tendencies. Before departure, Darwin had already been steered into geology; he trained in field skills with the geologist Adam Sedgwick; and was presented with Volume One of Charles Lyell’s “Principles of Geology” as a gift from Capt. FitzRoy.
Darwin was a keen observer and hardworking specimen-collector who experienced no eureka moment regarding natural selection during the voyage. Immediately upon his return, Darwin sought out the geologist Lyell as a mentor and champion. In time, Darwin would designate Lyell as the man to edit his radical theory in the case of Darwin’s unexpected death; it was also Lyell who secured a publisher for his magnum opus.
August 15, 2024
"Darwin. Wyprawa, która zmieniła świat" to książka, która wciąga od pierwszych stron. Chyba każdy słyszał o Karolu Darwinie oraz jego teorii ewolucji i pewnie kojarzycie go jako starca z pokaźną brodą. Ta postać jakoś nigdy nie zwróciła bardziej mojej uwagi i nie zainteresowała mnie na tyle, żeby dowiedzieć się o niej czegoś więcej. Dzieło Darwina mam w planach, ale brakuje czasu i chęci aby po nie sięgnąć.
Lektura ta jest świetnie napisana, nie wiem nawet kiedy ją przeczytałam. Autor na początku opisuje pobieżnie Darwina, poświęca kilka stron na temat jego podróży, a potem cofa się do wczesnej młodości Karola i już opowiada jego dalsze dzieje.
Darwin był naprawdę ciekawą postacią. Spędził wiele lat w podróży i opisywał nie tylko swoje naukowe spostrzeżenia, ale również zwracał uwagę na historię czy politykę danego regionu. W wieku 22 lat wyruszył w wyprawę, mimo choroby morskiej, która odmieniła jego życie. Lecz nie spędził pięciu lat na statku, dużą część czasu spędził na podróżach lądowych.
To książka o pasji, nauce, podróży i przygodzie. To opowieść o ludziach, ówczesnych realiach czy o przyrodzie.
Autor przedstawia nam życie Karola Darwina i jego osiągnięcia. Często znajdziemy tutaj przytoczone cytaty i myśli tej postaci. Autor oddaje mu głos.
To tytuł zdecydowanie warty lektury. Doskonale mi się go czytało. Bardzo polecam!
Lektura ta jest świetnie napisana, nie wiem nawet kiedy ją przeczytałam. Autor na początku opisuje pobieżnie Darwina, poświęca kilka stron na temat jego podróży, a potem cofa się do wczesnej młodości Karola i już opowiada jego dalsze dzieje.
Darwin był naprawdę ciekawą postacią. Spędził wiele lat w podróży i opisywał nie tylko swoje naukowe spostrzeżenia, ale również zwracał uwagę na historię czy politykę danego regionu. W wieku 22 lat wyruszył w wyprawę, mimo choroby morskiej, która odmieniła jego życie. Lecz nie spędził pięciu lat na statku, dużą część czasu spędził na podróżach lądowych.
To książka o pasji, nauce, podróży i przygodzie. To opowieść o ludziach, ówczesnych realiach czy o przyrodzie.
Autor przedstawia nam życie Karola Darwina i jego osiągnięcia. Często znajdziemy tutaj przytoczone cytaty i myśli tej postaci. Autor oddaje mu głos.
To tytuł zdecydowanie warty lektury. Doskonale mi się go czytało. Bardzo polecam!
October 11, 2024
This is as detailed an account of Charles Darwin's voyage on the Beagle as you'll ever find. It reads like, perhaps, a third-person diary and it sheds light on the mundanity of Charles Darwin as a bright and curious young man with no idea of what he wanted to do in life.
The narrative did drag a lot for me. I was more interested in the "why" than the "what" but I think the "what" of the journey was by large the objective of Tom Chaffin. I was most interested in the chapters about Darwin himself and his "evolution" in thought. The last chapters of the book were the most interesting to me; taking place after the Beagle voyage was complete.
Still I learned a lot and it explained much of Darwin's underlying motivations in his later years. I was fascinated to learn at the end that after taking this five-year voyage, he never left England again! His theory of natural selection didn't come until much deliberation, many years later and almost concurrently with Alfred Russell Wallace's revelation.
If you want to read about his theory and evidence, his own books like "Descent of Man" are what you want. This book is about his odyssey and about the man himself. Recommended for like-minded interested readers.
The narrative did drag a lot for me. I was more interested in the "why" than the "what" but I think the "what" of the journey was by large the objective of Tom Chaffin. I was most interested in the chapters about Darwin himself and his "evolution" in thought. The last chapters of the book were the most interesting to me; taking place after the Beagle voyage was complete.
Still I learned a lot and it explained much of Darwin's underlying motivations in his later years. I was fascinated to learn at the end that after taking this five-year voyage, he never left England again! His theory of natural selection didn't come until much deliberation, many years later and almost concurrently with Alfred Russell Wallace's revelation.
If you want to read about his theory and evidence, his own books like "Descent of Man" are what you want. This book is about his odyssey and about the man himself. Recommended for like-minded interested readers.
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March 19, 2022Found it incredible that Darwin was so committed to gathering specimens, in this case beetles , that having caught one in each hand and seeing a third , he popped one into his mouth so that he could free one hand to catch it !
Unlike other sea faring epics , this book don’t come with perfect storms or crushing waves . But it records the sad destruction caused to the indigenous people of South America by the colonial conquerors and slave owners.
Learnt more about the history of the South America places that Darwin visited than about species . And glad to have read the mention of Wallace - the other admirable but less known naturalist of the era.
The other amazing fact is that letters reach the sailors - who did that even happen ? The Royal Post must be a very well run set up then ?
Unlike other sea faring epics , this book don’t come with perfect storms or crushing waves . But it records the sad destruction caused to the indigenous people of South America by the colonial conquerors and slave owners.
Learnt more about the history of the South America places that Darwin visited than about species . And glad to have read the mention of Wallace - the other admirable but less known naturalist of the era.
The other amazing fact is that letters reach the sailors - who did that even happen ? The Royal Post must be a very well run set up then ?
February 18, 2022
Chaffin’s account of what let up to, unfolded on, and happened after Darwin’s famed trip on the Beagle is spellbinding. The term “page-turner” usually does not apply to biographies of scientists, but in this case is appropriate. As a biologist, I have often felt some guilt for never having read Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species.” Having gotten a better idea of the person Darwin from reading Chaffin’s book, allowed me to hear Darwin’s voice better. One gets to know Darwin as he personally witnesses evidence of the ancient history of the earth and the amazing diversity of its inhabitants. I encourage you to read On the Origin of Species; it gets better the further one gets into it. Chaffin’s book on the other hand is a great read from the beginning to the end.
April 6, 2024
Charles Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle changed his life. This book is focus on that 5-journey (1831-1836) around the world. Tom Chaffin uses lots of Darwin's original writings to enhance his own narrative of the journey. Darwin was in his mid-20s on this voyage and I now have a new appreciation for him as a young man exploring nature (before he came up with his theory of natural selection, the mechanism for evolution).
April 7, 2022
It's a new and thorough look at Darwin and his voyages...but for some reason, I couldn't get into it as much as I hoped for. It's certainly nothing to do with the easy, efficient writing style...perhaps the subject of this book simply isn't as interesting as history claims? In any event, I am filing this under "admire more than like".
April 9, 2023
Chaffin brings us into the early life of Darwin and how his experiences, particularly those on the Beagle voyage, influenced his thinking and scientific views through the remainder of his life. Chaffin's narrative brings us into Darwin's adventures on the Beagle, providing details into his travels and observations, providing an insightful and interesting look into the naturalist's life.
August 2, 2024
Moja oficjalna rekomendacja książki na lato 💅✨
September 20, 2024
Spoko książka
February 16, 2022
A new perspective on the young Darwin that is truly intriguing. We experience a 5yr around the world Beagle voyage from the perspective of a young man in his 20’s wide eyed and inquisitive, with all the biases and privilege built into his upbringing. I enjoyed growing with Darwin as his experiences gradually molded within him a new sense of humanity and empathy for other peoples, and of course laid the foundation for his subsequent decades in England forming his revolutionary theories on “descent with modification from ancestral forms.”
March 26, 2023
A well rounded travelog of Charles Darwin's Beagle voyage with solid nuance to make the journey feel personal and well connected to Evolution by Natural Selection.
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