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Archipelago: The Islands of Indonesia - From the Nineteenth-century Discoveries of Alfred Russel Wallace to the Fate of Forests and Reefs in the Twenty-first Century [Hardcover]

Gavan Daws (Author)

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Book Description

Publication Date: 24 Nov 1999 | ISBN-10: 0520215761 | ISBN-13: 978-0520215764
The Indonesian archipelago is a land of timeless natural beauty that, in the 21st century, faces unprecedented environmental degradation. It was also the biological laboratory of Alfred Russel Wallace, who, working independently of Charles Darwin, discovered the theory of evolution by natural selection. Wallace, who travelled for eight years in the archipelago, was one of the greatest field naturalists and nature writers of his century. A prodigious collector, he was the first to bring living birds of paradise to the West. This account of a true explorer sweeps from the time of Wallace's 19th-century discoveries in biogeography to the looming biodiversity crisis of the 21st century - from the exploration of natural wonders to the exploitation of natural resources. The result is a history that portrays the intricate connections of human life and natural life.

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"Extraordinarily beautiful." --"Washington Post Book World

About the Author

Gavan Daws is a historian and author of nine books about the Pacific and Asia, including a previous Nature Conservancy book, "Hawaii: The Islands of Life" (1988). He lives in Honolulu, Hawaii. Marty Fujita is a Research Associate of the Smithsonian Institution and founding director of The Nature Conservancy's Indonesia Program. She lived and worked in Indonesia for over seven years and now resides in Oakland, California.
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First Sentence
Examine the infant Alfred Russel Wallace as a biological specimen, a form of life on earth, and the odds against his survival would appear statistically daunting. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

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Amazon.com: 5.0 out of 5 stars  7 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Tropical splendor and historical significance. 28 Oct 2000
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
This beautiful coffee table book goes far beyond presenting the tropical and exotic beauty of this complex archipelago. True, outstanding photos highlight the natural splendor, rich culture and exotic architecture. But the authors also explore its historical significance, beginning with Wallace's 19th century discoveries in biogeography, continuing through the current, looming ecological crisis wrought by exploitation of the islands' natural resources. For those who have traveled to Indonesia, or have ever wished to, this book is a must.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars pleasing eye candy and substance 6 Oct 2002
By Currahee - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Archipelago is an excellent book on several levels. First, as a photo essay of the biota of the Indonesian islands it must be beyond compare. The photos are simply awesome, leaf through it and see for yourself. Second, it tells the story of one of the worlds least known but greatest scientists, Alfred Wallace. Wallace was just as responsible for developing the theory of evolution through natural selection as Charles Darwin. If you are interested in the history of science or a biology student at any level you should be aware of Wallace's work. This is as good a book to learn about it as any. One slight complaint, in reading this book I felt that the authors felt that Wallace received a raw deal from Darwin and the rest of the scientific community. I don't know if it's true or if the truth will ever be known. I know that Wallace didn't feel that way so why include it here? Third, this book is so much a trip through time. Each chapter on Wallace in the islands is mixed with modern essays on life in the islands and what is happening to the environment there. As an environmentalist "call to arms" it is great, because it is backed by better science through a broader range of disciplines than any I have seen.

I'm not a big fan of the "Coffee Table Book" but this is an exception. While it might be tempting to only look at the pictures, the text is in such a interesting format that reading it turns out to be such a breeze that you will be done before you notice.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent book! 27 July 2005
By M. Cwikiewicz - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
The books goes through all the major parts of Indonesia and shows plenty of well-selected pictures of amazing flora and fauna of the archipelago. Pictures are 70% of the book, but it also provides a good scientific description of how the archipelago formed (10% of the book), explaining how so unique species developed and survived untouched. Around 10% of the book is devoted to the explorers, like Wallace, who first discovered the uniquness of the islands and tried scientifically describe what they found - some early maps of the region and pictures of explorers are presented. Last 10% expresses the concerns about the impact of the modern Indonesia on the nature of the region. Book is published by UC Berkeley/LA, which can only be a further recommendation.
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