The Malay Archipelago (eBook)

Alfred Russel Wallace (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2022
542 Seiten
DigiCat (Verlag)
859-654700701-2 (EAN)

Infos

Alfred Russel Wallace's seminal work, 'The Malay Archipelago,' stands as a paramount piece of natural history literature that has shaped our understanding of biogeography and biodiversity. This skillfully penned chronicle combines rigorous scientific observation with evocative narrative, detailing the author's extensive expeditions from Malaysia to New Guinea. Wallace's descriptive prowess bridges meticulous accounts of the archipelago's complex ecologies with keen social insights. As with Darwin's 'Origin of Species,' this text swims in the currents of evolutionary thought, while its pioneering categorization of animal species and distribution laid key foundations for the field of zoogeography, making it an indispensable reference within its historical and literary context.

A contemporary of Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace holds esteem as a co-founder of evolutionary theory through natural selection. His keen analytical mind reflected his broader interdisciplinary interests, which were undoubtedly shaped by his modest upbringing and self-made education. Driven by an intrinsic quest for knowledge and a daring spirit of adventure, Wallace's insights within 'The Malay Archipelago' not only exemplify his groundbreaking contributions to science but also offer a window into the intellectual fervor of the 19th century that propelled him to explore unknown frontiers.

'The Malay Archipelago' remains an essential read for enthusiasts of natural history, botany, zoology, and geography. Scholars and general audiences alike will be captivated by Wallace's intrepid journeys and the vivid tableau of the tropics he paints. His work does more than chronicle scientific inquiry; it invites the reader into the very soul of exploration and discovery. In a world increasingly focused on environmental conservation, Wallace's explorations serve as a timeless reminder of our planet's exquisite natural wealth and the enduring importance of its study and preservation.

Autor

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) remains a towering figure in the annals of science, heralded for his independent conception of the theory of natural selection which he co-published with Charles Darwin. A British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, and biologist, his intellectual contributions span a vast array of subjects but his work in biogeography and evolutionary biology stands out. In his seminal work, 'The Malay Archipelago' (1869), Wallace recounts his extensive fieldwork in the Malaysian, Indonesian, and New Guinean islands, capturing the rich biodiversity and cultural intricacies he encountered during his eight-year expedition. Not merely a travelogue, the book significantly contributed to the field of island biogeography and the study of speciation. Wallace was a prolific writer and his works underscore his keen observational skills and a rigorous scientific inquiry undergirded by a narrative style that made serious science accessible to a broader audience. Notably, it was during his time in the Indonesian archipelago that Wallace formulated his thoughts on evolution, leading to the famed joint publication with Darwin. His work was characterized by an intertwining of empirical data with thoughtful theorization, a balance that earned him widespread respect among contemporaries and successors alike. In addition to 'The Malay Archipelago', Wallace wrote extensively, including books such as 'Darwinism' (1889), which further expounded on the theory of natural selection. His literary style combined detailed empirical observation with a broader philosophical inquiry, reflecting his deep interest in the natural world and its processes.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 17.5.2022
• Verlagsort: Prague
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie ► Allgemeines / Lexika
• Schlagworte: 19th century naturalists • Alfred Russel Wallace works • Biogeography classic texts • Colonial era travelogues • Ethnology and biodiversity • Hidden Valley Road • Himalaya • Homo Deus • Lifespan • Natural history of Indonesia • Of Wolves and Men • Origin of Species • sapiens • Scientific expedition narratives • Simple Thai Food • Southeast Asia exploration • The Trip of a Lifetime • Victorian Travel Literature • Walden • Wallace Line studies