The Voyage of the Beagle: Charles Darwin's Journal of Researches (Penguin Classics)
by Charles Darwin
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of The Voyage of the Beagle: Charles Darwin's Journal of Researches.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
This book is not in any lists. Go add it to a list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 262)
Read in November, 2006
recommends it for:
everyone
The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin (w-1839 r-12/2006 hrs-9). A captivating narrative of scientific exploration, and probably the best adventure travel book I've ever read. Certain to uplift your mind and your spirit.
First, although he is occasionally a bit long-winded in a Victorian way, and also occasionally goes into deep scientific detail which the modern lay reader will be tempted to skim, the majorioty of the volume is terse, modern, and exciting. Second, there is an actual ad...more
First, although he is occasionally a bit long-winded in a Victorian way, and also occasionally goes into deep scientific detail which the modern lay reader will be tempted to skim, the majorioty of the volume is terse, modern, and exciting. Second, there is an actual ad...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
This book is quite boring. I was hoping for an adventurous travel diary / nature documentary, and there are flashes of those elements, as well as some unexpectedly penetrating sociological reflections on South America in the 1830s (an area and time about which I knew nothing). And when he wants to be, Darwin can be an entertaining writer, as with this gem of a sentence:
"He [a fox] was so intently absorbed in watching their [some sailors] maneuvers, that I was able, by walking up behin...more
"He [a fox] was so intently absorbed in watching their [some sailors] maneuvers, that I was able, by walking up behin...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
I very much enjoy reading Darwin, and having read all his major works, this book is my favorite. It's a fascinating look into history from the viewpoint of a keen observer.
Good reading, but saddening. The treatment of indigenous people is horrifying: from outright murder to the missionaries doing their thing. The domination by the white Europeans, trying to make everywhere look like English countryside... bringing plants and animals from Europe and Darwin reports invasive species already ...more
Good reading, but saddening. The treatment of indigenous people is horrifying: from outright murder to the missionaries doing their thing. The domination by the white Europeans, trying to make everywhere look like English countryside... bringing plants and animals from Europe and Darwin reports invasive species already ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This book is considerably more readable than I feared it might be. Darwin's descriptions of the insects, animals, and plants are less interesting to me than his descriptions of the people he meets and how they are living in the areas he visits during his 5 year travel on the Beagle. However, his descriptions of the animals, etc. are generally quite interesting, especially when placed against what is known today versus what was known in the 1830s. I am amazed at how closely he guesses to the c...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Generally speaking, scientists are pretty piss-poor writers. I think exposure to lab chemicals rots out the portion of the brain that uses grammar & creativity.
Darwin is a pretty great writer (in spite of that dry-ass Victorian style).
I loved this book. It was more exciting and more fun to read than Origin of Species & that means something coming from my evolution-loving heart.
Darwin is a pretty great writer (in spite of that dry-ass Victorian style).
I loved this book. It was more exciting and more fun to read than Origin of Species & that means something coming from my evolution-loving heart.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
Fantastic! Granted this is not a page turner, but is easy to read considering that it was written in the mid 1800's. What is really fascinating is this book's insights into the ideas percolating in Charles Darwin's head.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
An absolute companion book to the Origin of the Species as it its the story of the amazing journey of exploration and research by Darwin and his team
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1992
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in May, 1996
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
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.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Was completely hooked by this. Darwin seemed to me to be an honest man in search of truth. Also, made me want to go to Patagonia.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I know the information/theories presented within changed the world, but man! Darwin's writing is dry and the Sahara!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2006
Google Images is a necessary companion to this book. I was shocked by how many things I had to look up.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
This was aMAZing! The descriptions and details of Darwin's travels made me wish I could have been there.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
prose writers who want an example of elaborate landscape descriptions
how quickly an ardent abolitionist can turn into a staunch colonist.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
Going to the Galapagos! Will review and compare when I'm back!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Wonderful, wonderful, real life adventure.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
