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Hardcover Humboldt's Cosmos: Alexander Von Humboldt and the Latin American Journey That Changed the Way We See the World Book

ISBN: 1592400523

ISBN13: 9781592400522

Humboldt's Cosmos: Alexander von Humboldt and the Latin American Journey that Changed the Way We Se

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Format: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

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Book Overview

Alexander von Humboldt was the reigning scientific mind of the early nineteenth century, a unique combination of naturalist and adventurer. With his companion Aime Bonpland, Humboldt cut a six-thousand-mile swath across the New World, through what is now Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, and Cuba. Risking his life in treacherous terrain, he conducted the first extensive scientific explorations of the Andes and the Amazon, literally redrawing the map of the Americas and dramatically expanding our knowledge of the natural world. He brought back to Europe more than 60,000 plant specimens and a multitude of exotic New World animals, set an altitude record while climbing the volcano Chimborazo, made revolutionary discoveries regarding volcanoes and the Earth's magnetic field, and introduced millions of Americans and Europeans to the astonishing cultures of the Aztecs and the Incas. This description may be from another edition of this product.

Customer Reviews

7 customer ratings | 5 reviews

Rated 5 stars
gap-filling narrative

This is the 4th copy of HC that I have purchased. It fills in gaps between early New World exploration, Enlightenment mindset and the development of plate tectonic theory. I've given it to friends age 16 to 81, any who are interested in geology, history of science, youthful courage and wealthy geeks. Unlike other exploration narratives, this one does not pause too long to fill in "background". It succeeds on the strength of...

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Rated 4 stars
A Nearly Forgotten Giant

Gerard Helferich has done a great service to humanity by not allowing Alexander Von Humboldt to become another meaningless name attached to a street or landmark. Humboldt was the second coming of Benjamin Franklin and shared the same worldwide recognition. While Lewis and Clark explored the North American North West using the patronage of Thomas Jefferson and the American government, Humboldt self financed his exploration...

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Rated 5 stars
I enjoyed this biography about Humboldt

I found this history of Humboldt and his companion, Aime Bonpland, fascinating. I wish more explorers had had the vision and understanding that Humboldt carried with him in his approach to nature and to humanity during his travels in Latin American. Civilization would have been much more advanced and noble for it.

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Rated 5 stars
Fascinating biography to enjoy!

The only thing I knew about Humboldt was that the pacific oceanic current was named after him. This book catch your attention from the very beginning, showing you the life, custom and geography of central and south america in the 1800's, places that Humboldt explored in his long journey. The author also gives a browsing on the history of the natives and the places that Humboldt trekked. The life of Humboldt is also very interesting,...

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Rated 5 stars
One man's insatiable thirst for knowledge

So pleasant how Helferich takes us back to the time when any man with enough interest and endurance could be a cutting-edge scientist and an explorer. When Alexander von Humboldt explored the northern part of the South American Continent, he observed and recorded everything -- the people, local flora and fauna, the geology, the temperature as a function of latitude and elevation, latitude by the elevation of the sun and stars,...

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