An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

283: Ecuador: Darwin's Adventure to the Galapagos

December 15, 2022

Description

Ecuador: Darwin's Adventure to the Galapagos Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Charles Darwin's time in Ecuador, where his observation of Finches, Mockingbirds, Iguanas, and many other animals...
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Books Referenced

Master and Commander (Aubrey-Maturin series)

Author: Patrick O'Brian

Context:

Referenced when comparing Darwin and Fitzroy's relationship to that of Aubrey and Maturin, noting Darwin's role as a gentleman companion similar to Dr. Maturin in the naval novels

The Lost World

Author: Arthur Conan Doyle

Context:

Referenced when describing the hideous iguanas on the Galapagos Islands, comparing the scene to Conan Doyle's adventure novel

Paradise Lost

Author: John Milton

Context:

Referenced when discussing Fitzroy's description of the Galapagos as 'pandemonium,' noting this word comes from Milton's epic poem describing hell

The Voyage of the Beagle

Author: Charles Darwin

Context:

Darwin's published journal from his voyage, first published in 1839 as 'Journal Remarks' and reissued as 'Voyage of the Beagle,' discussed in context of his observations about finch beaks

On the Origin of Species

Author: Charles Darwin

Context:

Referenced as Darwin's major work where the Galapagos finches feature as evidence for his theory of evolution by natural selection