Galapagos: Islands Born of Fire

by Tui De Roy

Award-winning photographer Tui De Roy's sumptuous look at the Galapagos

Ever since Charles Darwin visited there in 1835, the Galapagos have fascinated us like no other spot on Earth. This richly illustrated book captures the ethereal, haunting quality of the Galapagos and of the birds and animals that make these islands their home. Acclaimed wildlife photographer and writer Tui De Roy has spent her life exploring the Galapagos and recording their secrets. Here, in spectacular full-color images and in her own words, she shares her intimate knowledge of the islands and her deep love and respect for the natural wonders they conceal.

De Roy takes readers from vibrant coastlines to sheltered interiors, photographing penguins, turtles, and marine iguanas. She visits active volcanic calderas, where life hangs in the balance each time the volcano remakes itself. De Roy follows the seasons of the giant tortoise, dives into the twilight world of sperm whales and hammerhead sharks, and treads on still-steaming volcanic crust. She also makes an impassioned plea for conservation.

This updated tenth-anniversary edition of De Roy's celebrated book offers an unforgettable photographic tour of the Galapagos. Explore with her the incredible diversity of wildlife and habitats that rank these islands among the most fascinating and exotically beautiful places in the world.

Genres: Travel, Photography, Nature, Nonfiction, Science

168 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 1980

Reviews

[Janice]

Beautiful photos that capture the amazing world of Galapagos wildlife and islands, combined with powerful poetic writing and respect for protecting the ecosystem. Additionally, this brought back fond memories of visiting Galapagos in 2017.

[Merrill S]

I received the book as a gift from my booked tour to the Galapagos early this summer. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Not a particularly scientific resource, it nonetheless provides an easy-to-read history and understanding of some of the many species of the islands, which accompanies gorgeous photography.

[Thomas Churchill]

Getting stoked!!! makes me want to be a naturalist so bad. I leave tomorrow 👀

[Nadine]

Made me want to go to the Galapagos even more than I already do. I really liked the conservation aspect of it. If I didn't have school I may have booked a flight there immediately upon finishing the book. Stupid school.

[Kati Stevens]

Pretty great photos, admirable author/photographer, but the woman has never met an adjective she didn't like. But I kind of wish I was her.

[Manasa]

I picked this book up from a selection on board a Galapagos cruise, and it added so much more to an already special trip. This is a labor of love, both a memoir and a biography, written by someone intimately familiar with the islands and their treasures. The photographs, as you'd expect, are superb, and I found that they were made richer still by the narrative captions (do you see a pattern here? I'm clearly partial to words). Whether you're looking to prime yourself for a visit to these islands, or simply wish to (re)discover the magic of the natural world, you can't go wrong with this book.