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Geological Observations on the Volcanic Islands: The Geology of the Voyage of the HMS Beagle, Part 2

Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882) has been widely recognized since his own time as one of the most influential writers in the history of Western thought. His books were widely read by specialists and the general public, and his influence had been extended by almost continuous public debate over the past 150 years. New York University Press's new paperback edition makes it possible to review Darwin's public literary output as a whole, plus his scientific journal articles, his private notebooks, and his correspondence.
This is complete edition contains all of Darwin's published books, featuring definitive texts recording original pagination with Darwin's indexes retained. The set also features a general introduction and index, and introductions to each volume.

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

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About the author

Charles Darwin

2,569 books3,602 followers
Charles Robert Darwin of Britain revolutionized the study of biology with his theory, based on natural selection; his most famous works include On the Origin of Species (1859) and The Descent of Man (1871).

Chiefly Asa Gray of America advocated his theories.

Works of Jacques Martin Barzun include Darwin, Marx, Wagner (1941).

Charles Robert Darwin, an eminent English collector and geologist, proposed and provided scientific evidence of common ancestors for all life over time through the process that he called. The scientific community and the public in his lifetime accepted the facts that occur and then in the 1930s widely came to see the primary explanation of the process that now forms modernity. In modified form, the foundational scientific discovery of Darwin provides a unifying logical explanation for the diversity of life.

Darwin developed his interest in history and medicine at Edinburgh University and then theology at Cambridge. His five-year voyage on the Beagle established him as a geologist, whose observations and supported uniformitarian ideas of Charles Lyell, and publication of his journal made him as a popular author. Darwin collected wildlife and fossils on the voyage, but their geographical distribution puzzled him, who investigated the transmutation and conceived idea in 1838. He discussed his ideas but needed time for extensive research despite priority of geology. He wrote in 1858, when Alfred Russel Wallace sent him an essay, which described the same idea, prompting immediate joint publication.

His book of 1859 commonly established the dominant scientific explanation of diversification in nature. He examined human sexuality in Selection in Relation to Sex , and The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals followed. A series of books published his research on plants, and he finally examined effect of earthworms on soil.

A state funeral recognized Darwin in recognition of preeminence and only four other non-royal personages of the United Kingdom of the 19th century; people buried his body in Westminster abbey, close to those of John Herschel and Isaac Newton.

Her fathered Francis Darwin, astronomer George Darwin, and politician, economist and eugenicist Leonard Darwin.

(Arabic: تشارلز داروين)

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5 stars
45 (26%)
4 stars
66 (39%)
3 stars
42 (25%)
2 stars
11 (6%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Ant.
224 reviews180 followers
March 5, 2025
"Η φυσική ιστορία αυτών των νησιών είναι εξαιρετικά περίεργη και αξιοπρόσεκτη. Τα περισσότερα οργανικά είδη είναι γηγενή και δεν βρίσκονται πουθενά αλλού. Υπάρχει επίσης διαφορά ανάμεσα στους πληθυσμούς των ποικίλων νησιών. (...) Το αρχιπέλαγος είναι ένας νέος μικρός κόσμος".
Profile Image for Daren.
1,639 reviews4,613 followers
January 22, 2016
Excerpts from Darwins Voyage of the Beagle, touching on the Galapagos Islands and Tahiti, published as a Penguin 60s Classic. (I have also read the Penguin Little Black Classic It was snowing butterflies, which is also excerpts from that book.)

I really enjoyed this, and found this selection less cumbersome than It was snowing butterflies which was a bit wordy.

Darwin explains things in good detail, touching on an array of interesting things and he is generous with crediting others in the information he provides (he quotes Humboldt a bit in this).

In Galapagos, he touches on the volcanic geology, the general character of the vegetation, various birds, the two giant tortoise breeds, marine lizards, other reptiles, and the fearlessness of the animals in their contact with humans.

Tahiti also gets a positive review - especially for the native men, the women not so much "I was much disappointed in the personal appearance of the women; they are far inferior in every respect to the men." P38.

4 stars.
19 reviews
April 15, 2025
If classic literature isn't usually your thing, let me change your mind by sharing some delightful anecdotes about Darwin from this short story. It captures his playful interactions with the wildlife of the Galapagos, like the time he attempted to ride a tortoise, only to feel a bit embarrassed by his lack of balance. The story also showcases his anxious personality in a humorous light. I found it so entertaining that I couldn't help but laugh while waiting at the airport.

P.S. Mr Charles Darwin, please stop bullying nature everywhere you go!
Profile Image for lexi.
224 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2021
3.5 stars
I want to ride a giant tortoise now!!🥺🥺🐢
116 reviews
June 8, 2026
Charles Darwin was a scientist & not a travel writer. His diary of The Galápagos Islands & Tahiti (from “The Voyage of the Beagle”) contained plenty of geological & biological observations but didn't especially embrace the culture of the people. It is fascinating, though, to imagine the theory of natural selection and gradual incremental change that was being assembled in his mind as he wrote down his observations. Darwin’s prose, was described as daring & adventurous at the time.

These 2 chapters issued as a free standing little book fit nicely within the whole “Voyage of the Beagle” which is a brilliant book. indeed Darwin’s theories were influenced by so much more that Galapagos. The time spent around Tierra Del Fuego particularly, with Uruguay & the Falklands contains many fascinating adventures. His time at Galápagos was only a busy month, from a journey lasting years. Quite enjoyed some of his experiments, which I don’t suppose he’d boast about in the 21st century “… A seaman on board sank [a marine iguana] with a heavy weight attached to it, thinking thus to kill it directly; but when an hour afterwards he drew up the line, the lizard was quite active …”
Profile Image for Anna.
93 reviews
Read
December 28, 2021
This was quite an interesting read. Much of it consists of Darwin being a little bully and a troll to creatures of the Galapagos Islands (and, to a lesser extent, of Tahiti). The juxtaposition of curiosity that explained so much of the natural world, with the narrow-mindedness that feels able to pass judgement on fellow humans and animals, after the most perfunctory of glances, is something to behold. It makes one wonder: what do we take morally for granted, that will make us look so ridiculous in a few years?
Profile Image for Liz.
68 reviews
August 6, 2025
my rating is only how it is because the app compelled me to give one. this was a very interesting little retelling of a naturalist's adventure through the Galapagos islands and Tahiti. no glaring flaws, and a scattering of very charming brief anecdotes as examples of what Darwin describes. it strikes a good balance between scientific usefulness and vivid descriptions that paint a lovely mental picture of these locations and their inhabitants.
Profile Image for Wasi Rizvi.
Author 1 book5 followers
March 30, 2022
This is a nice short peek into Darwin's work and style. His adventures make Bear Grylls look so sophisticated, with regards to animals... Especially tortoises. Animals being not afraid of people is the reason I wanted to read this book to begin with, and on that account it didn't disappoint at all. Men of Tahiti were an added bonus.
Profile Image for Rose.
1,602 reviews
July 28, 2022
I recently read On the Origin of Species, and really liked it. This I took to less. I know this is composed more from personal diaries, so it's not really designed for an audience, so that might by why. Oddly, it felt less passionate than On the Origin of Species - the text didn't have the same spark of wonder at the natural world.
Profile Image for Delia Bajuk.
66 reviews
July 15, 2023
Um- not even fully about the Galápagos Islands. He starts to come to conclusions that something is going on in the Galapagos but the entire time he’s like kind of violent and not so scientisty towards the animals.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews