Formed of dramatic volcanic scenery and home to marvellous beasts, it is little wonder that the first name for the Galapagos archipelago was Las Encantadas: the enchanted islands. In this captivating natural history, Henry Nicholls builds up the ecology of these famous islands, from their explosive origins to the arrival of the archipelago's celebrated reptiles and ultimately humans. It s a story of change, as the islands are transformed from lava-strewn wilderness into a vital scientific resource and a sought-after destination for eco-enthusiasts.
Charles Darwin's five-week visit to the Galapagos in 1835 played a pivotal role in this transformation. At the time, he was more interested in rocks than finches, took the opportunity to ride on the backs of tortoises and fling iguanas into the sea. Yet the Galapagos experience can be an inspiration and it certainly was for Darwin, pointing him towards one of the most important and influential ideas in the history of humankind: evolution by natural selection. And with the Darwin connection, the Galapagos found itself propelled onto a global stage.
But worldwide fame has brought with it nearly 200,000 tourists a year and a human population now estimated at around 30,000. If Darwin learned from the Galapagos, so we must too. For what happens here in years to come foreshadows the fate of threatened ecosystems everywhere on earth.
Formed of dramatic volcanic scenery and home to marvellous beasts, it is little wonder that the first name for the Galapagos archipelago was Las Encantadas: the enchanted islands. In this captivating natural history, Henry Nicholls builds up the ecology of these famous islands, from their explosive origins to the arrival of the archipelago's celebrated reptiles and ultimately humans. It s a story of change, as the islands are transformed from lava-strewn wilderness into a vital scientific resource and a sought-after destination for eco-enthusiasts.
Charles Darwin's five-week visit to the Galapagos in 1835 played a pivotal role in this transformation. At the time, he was more interested in rocks than finches, took the opportunity to ride on the backs of tortoises and fling iguanas into the sea. Yet the Galapagos experience can be an inspiration and it certainly was for Darwin, pointing him towards one of the most important and influential ideas in the history of humankind: evolution by natural selection. And with the Darwin connection, the Galapagos found itself propelled onto a global stage.
But worldwide fame has brought with it nearly 200,000 tourists a year and a human population now estimated at around 30,000. If Darwin learned from the Galapagos, so we must too. For what happens here in years to come foreshadows the fate of threatened ecosystems everywhere on earth.
The full story of the extraordinary islands that gave the world Darwin's theory of evolution - now available in paperback
Henry Nicholls is a journalist, author and broadcaster,in evolutionary biology, conservation and history of science. He is the author of The Way of the Panda (9781846683688). His first book Lonesome George was about the Galapagos Archipelago and global conservation.
This is the perfect book to take with you if you are planning a
trip to the Galapagos. Even if you are not, this is an enchanting
and enlightening account of the most scientifically significant
islands in the world.
*Tim Birkhead*
The tale of the Galapagos's solitary giant tortoise and
conservation icon was told to great effect by Henry Nicholls in
Lonesome George. Sadly, George died in 2012, but happily Nicholls
is back with an account that shows why the archipelago that shaped
Darwin's ideas still matters to us.
*New Scientist*
If you read one book about the Galapagos, make sure it is this.
Thoroughly researched, highly informative, lively and enjoyable,
each page is a real pleasure to read. Whether a first time visitor
or an old Galapagos 'hand' Henry Nicholls' The Galapagos should
accompany you on any physical or virtual trip to these Enchanted
Islands
*Ian Dunn, Chief Executive Officer, Galapagos Conservation
Trust*
The Galápagos is an engaging, informative introduction to the
natural history of the archipelago. Charles Darwin's observations
and insights on the Galápagos are effectively used to highlight key
aspects of the archipelago's terrestrial and marine environments,
the unique plants and animals they support, and how our
understanding of them has evolved since his historic visit. The
book also gives an accurate account of the current challenges
facing Galápagos, and how they are being addressed. A surprising
amount of information is packed into this concise and entertaining
overview. An inspiring pre-travel read for anyone considering a
visit to 'Darwin's Islands'.
*Darwin in Galapagos*
Henry Nicholls has turned his most observant eye on the remarkable,
but less often described human history of Galápagos. The future of
the islands and their distinctive biota will be in the hands of the
national lawmakers and growing number of Galápagos residents as the
isolation enjoyed by Galápagos becomes a distant memory. In his
lively prose, Henry lauds the unsung scientists and conservation
managers who work doggedly and successfully on persistent wildlife
management challenges wrought by human accident or design. His
persistent focus on stewardship-man's absolute responsibility to
nature-is refreshing and important in the world of natural history
literature. A thoughtfully executed and excellent read.
*Johannah Barry, president of the Galapagos Conservancy*
Tourists should read this book before they visit the Galápagos. In
a relaxed and conversational style, Henry Nicholls introduces many
of the animals and plants that live there, explains why so many are
strange and unusual, and shows how natural history has been first
shaped by geological history and then influenced by human history.
The book is an inspiring call to visit the islands, to experience
the animals and plants in the sea and on land, and to join in
conserving them.
*40 Years of Evolution: Darwin's Finches on Daphne Major
Island*
From the fiery volcanoes that forged the islands to the invasive
species that threaten them, this is a brilliantly clear and
enthusiastic guide to all that matters about the Galapagos. Henry
Nicholls manages to combine detail with passion as he takes the
reader through everything from Charles Darwin's inspiration for
evolution to the sad demise of the last giant tortoise of his kind,
Lonesome George. I only wish the book had been written in time for
my visit to the islands five years ago.
*David Shukman*
In his new natural history, Henry Nicholls transforms the Galápagos
archipelago from perennial example to subject. Chapters devoted to
geology, plants, animals, and insects finally provide a landscape
framework for some of biology's most famous stories-from Darwin's
finches to the giant tortoises that give the islands their name.
Nicholls also includes a welcome and thoughtful discussion of the
archipelago's most recent and transformative arrivals, its
people
*Thor Hanson, author of Feathers and The Impenetrable Forest*
I have been to the Galápagos five times, including an extended
private expedition retracing Darwin's footsteps in these
magnificent islands that so inspired his insights into the
evolutionary process. I thought I knew everything about the islands
until I read Henry Nicholls's The Galápagos, the best single-volume
work I've found and the perfect guide for travelers. Every visitor
to the islands should be given a copy of this marvelous natural
history to read in order to fully appreciate the richness of one of
the most important pieces of real estate on the planet. A
captivating book.
*Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine and author of Why
Darwin Matters*
Henry Nicholls has added an informative, fun and up-to-date read to
the Galapagos literature. By sprinkling his discussion of the
geology, biology and history of the islands with quotes from
historical figures, including Darwin, the Bishop of Panama, Herman
Melville, and many others, he takes the reader on a unique journey
of discovery of the wonders of Galapagos. He merges historical
information with up-to-date science and conservation, then brings
the reader back to the sites and species they will see when
visiting the islands. Most importantly he discusses why Galapagos
matters and the challenge to all of us to ensure its long-term
protection.
*Linda J. Cayot, Science Advisor, Galapagos Conservancy*
In an enticingly structured, thoroughly enjoyable, rolling
narrative, [Nicholls] discusses the islands' volcanic origins,
native flora and fauna, and human explorers and residents. He also
describes with firsthand excitement and surprising detail what it's
like to be in the presence of the islands' remarkably tame
wildlife, from the playful red-footed boobies to Pacific green
turtles and the enormous tortoises for which the archipelago is
named and which were slaughtered to the brink of extinction....
There is no question, as Nicholls eloquently reveals, that we all
have a stake in protecting the Galápagos.
*Booklist*
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