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Darwin's first theory : exploring Darwin's quest to find a theory of the earth / Rob Wesson.

by Wesson, R. L. (Robert L.),

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Pegasus Books Ltd., 2017.

Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882 -- Travel.

Wesson, R. L. (Robert L.) -- Travel.

Voyages around the world.

Geology -- History -- 19th century.

Historical geology.

9781681773162 (hc.)

Alternate title:

Exploring Darwin's quest to find a theory of the earth

1st Pegasus Books ed.

xxi, 457 p. : col. ill., maps (some color) ; 23 cm.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 385-439) and index

Prologue : a peculiar obsession -- Part One. Darwin in the field. The lieutenant and the beetle collector -- Field trip with a master : the state of geology -- Setting out : the adventures begin -- The first years of the voyage -- Patagonia : the great workshop of nature -- Maria Graham and the debate on the causes of elevation -- Darwin's earthquake -- The Andes arising -- Coral reefs and the sinking bottom of the sea -- Part Two. Darwin theorizing. Faith comforts, facts persuade -- The theory comes together -- Extending the theory : the parallel roads of Glen Roy -- Part Three. Back on Darwin's trail. From uplift to evolution -- From natural selection to plate tectonics -- In the Beagle's wake -- The Chilean earthquake of 2010 -- Now you see them, now you don't -- Reflections : what does it all mean?

"Everybody knows--or thinks they know--Charles Darwin, the father of evolution and the man who altered the way we view our place in the world. But what most people do not know is that Darwin was on board the HMS Beagle as a geologist--on a mission to examine the land, not flora and fauna. Retracing Darwin's footsteps in South America and beyond, geologist Rob Wesson treks across the Andes, cruises waters charted by the Beagle, hunts for fossils in Uruguay and Argentina, and explores sites of long vanished glaciers in Scotland and Wales. As he follows Darwin's path--literally and intellectually--Wesson experiences the land as Darwin did, engages with his observations, and tackles the same questions Darwin had about our ever-changing Earth. Upon his return from his five-year journey aboard the Beagle, after examining the effects of earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and more, Darwin conceived his theory of subsidence and uplift--his first theory. These concepts and attitudes--the vastness of time; the enormous cumulative impact of almost imperceptibly slow change; change as a constant feature of the environment--underlie Darwin's subsequent discoveries in evolution. And this peculiar way of thinking remains vitally important today as we enter the human-dominated Anthropocene age. Expertly interweaving science and adventure, Darwin's First Theory is a riveting and revelatory journey around the world with one of the greatest scientific minds in history."--From publisher.

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