Humboldt's Cosmos

This is the 4th copy of HC that I have purchased. It fills in gaps between early New World exploration, Enlightenment mindset and the development of plate tectonic theory. I've given it to friends age 16 to 81, any who are interested in geology, history of science, youthful courage and wealthy geeks. Unlike other exploration narratives, this one does not pause too long to fill in "background". It succeeds on the strength of Humboldt's voyages.

Gerard Helferich has done a great service to humanity by not allowing Alexander Von Humboldt to become another meaningless name attached to a street or landmark. Humboldt was the second coming of Benjamin Franklin and shared the same worldwide recognition. While Lewis and Clark explored the North American North West using the patronage of Thomas Jefferson and the American government, Humboldt self financed his exploration of South America. This is absolutely fascinating history. For the most part reading the book is smooth sailing, at times readers can suffer from information overload and once in a great while Gerard Helferich will put the reader to sleep with expansion concerning some miniscule details. Now, this is a book I will re-read because it is so detailed and well written. I would like to thank the author, Gerard Helferich, for providing me with such a wonderful enlightening history of an extremely notable human.

I found this history of Humboldt and his companion, Aime Bonpland, fascinating. I wish more explorers had had the vision and understanding that Humboldt carried with him in his approach to nature and to humanity during his travels in Latin American. Civilization would have been much more advanced and noble for it.

The only thing I knew about Humboldt was that the pacific oceanic current was named after him. This book catch your attention from the very beginning, showing you the life, custom and geography of central and south america in the 1800's, places that Humboldt explored in his long journey. The author also gives a browsing on the history of the natives and the places that Humboldt trekked. The life of Humboldt is also very interesting, by his achievements, his relentless curiosity and by the unique opportunity to met very important people of the time such as Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon, Simon Bolivar and Charles Darwin. This is definitely a book to enjoy and learn, so much to learn.

So pleasant how Helferich takes us back to the time when any man with enough interest and endurance could be a cutting-edge scientist and an explorer. When Alexander von Humboldt explored the northern part of the South American Continent, he observed and recorded everything -- the people, local flora and fauna, the geology, the temperature as a function of latitude and elevation, latitude by the elevation of the sun and stars, and longitude, estimated or reckoned with precision with the help of transit data of planetary moons. One of the most interesting passage was his field experimentation with animal electricity from electric eels and the conclusions about electricity in muscles and nerves that he was able to draw. Oh, Alexander von Humboldt, where are you now? Probably living in the spirit of Professor Jared Diamond, author of Guns, Steel and Germs.