Humboldt's Cosmos

by Helferich, Gerard

• ISBN13: 9781592401062
• ISBN10: 1592401066
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-17
• Publisher: Gotham

Summary

The thrilling story of the charismatic explorer whom Simon Bolivar called the true discoverer of South America” and the daring expedition that altered the course of scienceFrom 1799 to 1804, German naturalist and adventurer Alexander von Humboldt conducted the first extensive scientific exploration of Latin America. At the completion of his arduous 6,000-mile journey, he was feted by Thomas Jefferson, presented to Napoleon and, after the publication of his findings, hailed as the greatest scientific genius of his age.Humboldt’s Cosmostells the story of this extraordinary man who was equal parts Einstein and Livingstone, and of the adventure that defined his life. Gerard Helferich vividly recounts Humboldt’s expedition through the Amazon, over the Andes, and across Mexico and Cuba, highlighting his paradigm-changing discoveries along the way. During the course of the expedition, Humboldt cataloged more than 60,000 plants, set an altitude record climbing the volcano Chimborazo, and introduced millions of Europeans and Americans to the great cultures of the Inca and the Aztecs. In the process, he also revolutionized geology and laid the groundwork for modern sciences such as climatology, oceanography, and geography. His contributions would profoundly influence future greats such as Charles Darwin and shape the course of science for centuries to come.Humboldt’s Cosmosis a dramatic tribute to one of history’s most audacious adventurers, who, as Stephen Jay Gould noted, may well have been the world’s most famous and influential intellectual.”

Author Biography

Gerard Helferich worked in book publishing for twenty-five years as an editor and publisher.

Table of Contents

PREFACE: Humboldt's Ghost	xi
ONE: Tegel	1	(28)
TWO: Tenerife	29	(22)
THREE: Cumaná	51	(30)
FOUR: Caracas	81	(20)
FIVE: The Llanos	101	(22)
SIX: The Orinoco	123	(30)
SEVEN: The Amazon	153	(28)
EIGHT: Cuba	181	(30)
NINE: Chimborazo	211	(24)
TEN: Cajamarca	235	(30)
ELEVEN: New Spain	265	(30)
TWELVE: Washington, Paris, and Berlin	295	(32)
EPILOGUE: Humboldt's Spirit	327	(6)
BIBLIOGRAPHY	333	(4)
SOURCES	337	(6)
APPENDIX I: Other Works of Alexander von Humboldt	343	(2)
APPENDIX II: Places Named After Alexander von Humboldt	345	(2)
INDEX	347	(13)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	360