Books

London: Reeve and Co.,, 1853. The field experience which established his reputation as a naturalist First edition, in the first issue binding, of Wallace's account of the famous expedition to the Amazon basin jointly undertaken with Henry Walter Bates. There were 750 copies of the first edition printed, of which 250 were reissued in a remainder binding of green cloth. Inspired by William Henry Edwards's Voyage up the River Amazon (1847), Wallace and Bates set off for the Amazon in 1848. "Apart from meeting their immediate goal of earning a living through natural history collecting, Wallace and Bates had a broader purpose for travelling to the Amazon: solving the mystery of the causes of organic evolution. [Wallace] had not been a convert to biological evolution until he read Robert Chambers's controversial, anonymously published Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation about 1845, the year it was published. That one might demonstrate the fact of evolution through a detailed…

"A Narrative of Travels on the Amazon and Rio Negro" is a travelogue written by Alfred Russel Wallace, a British naturalist and explorer, based on his journey through the Amazon basin in the mid-19th century. The book provides a vivid account of Wallace's adventurous exploration of the Amazon River and its tributary, the Rio Negro, during the years 1848-1852. In the narrative, Wallace describes his encounters with the diverse flora and fauna of the region, including exotic animals, birds, and plants. He meticulously documents his observations of the Amazonian ecosystem, shedding light on the rich biodiversity of the rainforest and its importance to scientific understanding. Throughout his travels, Wallace also interacts with indigenous tribes, learning about their customs, languages, and ways of life. His encounters with native peoples offer valuable insights into their cultures and traditions, as well as the challenges they face in the rapidly changing landscape of the Amazon. Wallace's narrative is not only a captivating travelogue but also a scientific exploration, as he meticulously collects specimens and gathers data to support his research on evolution and biogeography. His observations and discoveries in the Amazon would later contribute significantly to the development of the theory of natural selection, which he co-discovered with Charles Darwin. Overall, "A Narrative of Travels on the Amazon and Rio Negro" stands as a compelling account of one man's journey into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, offering readers a glimpse into the wonders of this vast and mysterious region while highlighting the importance of conservation and understanding in preserving its natural beauty and diversity.