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Book Review, © Copyright 1997, Jim Loy
Charles Darwin was 23 years old, in 1831, when the H. M. S. Beagle began its 5-year voyage around the world. Darwin signed on as ship's naturalist (scientist) and companion to Captain Fitz Roy. Darwin began the voyage as a minor (but knowledgeable) expert of biology and geology, and ended up as a leading authority in these fields. This book is an amazing story of adventure, as well as a fascinating look into how first class science was done.
The Beagle's first major task was to explore the east coast of South America. Then they made a frightening attempt to sail around Cape Horn. Failing that, they sailed through the Straits of Magellan, and explored the western coast of South America, where Darwin witnessed a major earthquake.
Then, they explored the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin made several discoveries which helped make him famous. Many years later, this episode inspired his theory of natural selection.
They then crossed the Pacific Ocean, verifying the locations of several islands, using the accurate chronometers (clocks) which they carried. His theory of how coral atolls form, which he explains in this book, is essentially the same as the current theory (see Coral Atolls). They visited New Zealand and Australia, crossed the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, revisited the east coast of South America, and then headed home to England.
This book was originally published in 1839, and was something of a bestseller back then. It is still very good reading.
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