The Evolution of Charles Darwin

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From a Los Angeles Times Book Prize-winning historian, this colorful narrative recounts Charles Darwin’s transformative journey on HMS Beagle, which inspired his groundbreaking theories in *On the Origin of Species* and *The Descent of Man*. At just twenty-two, Darwin embarked on this pivotal voyage in 1831, invited by Captain Robert FitzRoy, who sought both a companion and a naturalist. Over five years, amidst challenging conditions, Darwin made observations and collected specimens that laid the groundwork for his revolutionary ideas on species and natural selection. Utilizing a wealth of letters, diary entries, and accounts from those he met, Diana Preston vividly chronicles this epic journey, illustrating Darwin's evolution from an inexperienced young man to a skilled adventurer and scientist. He often ventured ashore to explore mountains, rivers, and vast landscapes, guided by locals whose languages he struggled to comprehend. From Patagonia to the Galápagos Islands, he gathered volcanic rocks, fossils, and observed unique wildlife, gradually uncovering connections between the past and present. After returning to Britain in 1836, Darwin never traveled again but continued to develop his theories, culminating in the 1859 publication of *On the Origin of Species*. This work offers an insightful portrait of one of history's most influential figures and significantly enhances our understanding of life on Earth.